SAXONBURG - Knoch was the Cinderella story of the WPIAL boys basketball playoffs last season.

Needing two buzzer-beaters to win late regular season games to even reach the playoffs, the Knights advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA title game before losing.

"That experience should benefit us this year," veteran coach Les Shoop said. "The kids know they can do it now."

The Knights return three starters - junior point guard Jordan Shoop, senior guard Ryan Ziacik and senior forward Ryan Hollihan - from last year's squad.

Graduated starters are forwards Mark Rupert and platooned forwards Cory Wagner and Noah Gammell.

The coach's son, Shoop averaged 14.2 points and 4.3 assists last season.

"It's always a plus getting your starting point guard back," Coach Shoop said. "And Jordan's been around basketball all his life.

"Jordan is such an unselfish player, sometimes too much so ; I'd like to see him take the ball to the hoop more."

The coach said that Shoop driving to the hoop would create more options offensively, since Ziacik and Scott Muska can both shoot from outside.

Hollihan averaged 15.1 points and 8.5 rebounds last season. At 6-foot-7, he was the Knights' leading scorer and rebounder.

"Having Jordan back is a big plus because you know he's going to get the ball up the floor. He handles pressure well and he sees the whole floor," Hollihan said. "If you're open, he'll get the ball in your hands."

Knoch's leading scorer from two years ago, Matt Lower, returns to the team after missing all of last season with a knee injury. He adds depth to a team that includes first-year starters Muska and Eric Czech.Muska is a junior guard while Czech is a senior forward."Muska is a good offensive player who shoots the ball well," Shoop said. "He's not afraid to take the ball to the basket."Czech's big plus will be his rebounding ability."Shoop described Hollihan as more of a finesse player than a power player last year."I'd like to see Ryan drive to the basket rather than pull up and take the fall-away jumper," the coach said. "We need his strength inside to be in position for offensive rebounds."If Ryan's shooting seven or eight free throws per game, that's a good sign because he's forcing people to foul him. And he has excellent touch from the line for a big kid."Hollihan admitted he settled for the jump shot a lot last year."I know I have to pick up the rebounding," he said. "I have to play more aggressively inside."Senior guard Pavel Brzozowski and junior forward Billy Elliott are top players off the bench. Curtis Compton and Tim Hickey - two seniors who didn't play basketball last year - will provide depth as well.Two freshman forwards - 6-4 Rob Briggs and 6-2 Alex Whisler - will contribute to the varsity eventually, Shoop said."They're just getting adjusted to the system and this level of basketball right now," the coach said. "Believe me, they'll see varsity time and they will help us."Shoop expends his team to contend with Hampton and Mars for the section championship."The top four make the playoffs, so we'd have to be pretty lousy to miss that," Shoop said. "There's only one goal to have this year and that's win the WPIAL title."We got to the Palumbo Center last year and it was fun getting there. It'd be more fun to win there."

2004-05 Boys ScheduleDec. 3-4-at Moon Tournament; Dec. 7-at Laurel, 6 p.m.; Dec. 10-at St. Joseph, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 14-at Kittanning, 6 p.m.; Dec. 15-PERRY, 6 p.m.; Dec. 21-at Hampton, 6 p.m.; Dec. 23-DEER LAKES, 6 p.m.; Dec. 27-28-at Freeport TournamentJan. 4-HIGHLANDS, 6 p.m.; Jan. 5-NORTH HILLS, 6 p.m.; Jan. 7-at Valley, 6 p.m.; Jan. 11-MARS, 6 p.m.; Jan. 14-KITTANNING, 6 p.m.; Jan. 18-at Moon, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 21-HAMPTON, 6 p.m.; Jan. 25-at Deer Lakes, 6 p.m.; Jan. 27-LEECHBURG, 6 p.m.; Jan. 28-at Highlands, 6 p.m.Feb. 1-VALLEY, 6 p.m.; Feb. 4-at Mars, 6 p.m.