McKenna and Bronder Receive Post-Season Honors

Matt McKenna (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Jacob Bronder (Jeferson Hills, Pa.) have received post season honors.

With only a semester under his belt in a Penn State Fayette Roaring Lion uniform, Junior forward Matt McKenna (Pittsburgh, PA) earned accolades from the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (www.psuacsports.com) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (www.theuscaa.com) for the 2013-14 campaign.

Garnering the PSUAC's Newcomer of the Year award and earning Honorable Mention All-American Awards for the 2013-14 basketball season, McKenna adds his name to a growing list of Roaring Lion cagers who have received post season honors over the last 4 years.  "It's an honor to be mentioned in the same breath with guys like (James) Pratt, David (Winns), Ryan (Hart), and Brandon (Cunningham).  They built the program from the ground back up, and did it as a family," says McKenna.

McKenna burst onto the Fayette scene in early January, posting 32 points and 10 rebounds in his debut against Point Park University.  He continued his tear through both conference and non-conference opponents, finishing the season with 25.9 points and 10.1 rebounds through 16 games, shooting 57% from the field and 45% from behind the three point arc.  McKenna's free throw percentage finished at 75%.

In a 114 – 95 win at Penn State DuBois in February, McKenna posted 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.  His season high came two weeks later when the Roaring Lions posted a 30 point win against PSUAC Conference opponent Penn State Schuylkill, where he tallied 39 points and pulled down 13 boards. 

"We're fortunate that Coach (Bob) Kessler of CCAC sent Matt our way.  His work ethic, his positive attitude, his mannerisms, and his character in general are a huge asset to our program.  He's not just a great basketball player, he's a true poster of a collegiate student-athlete.  Matt works a full-time job as a counselor, gets up at 5:00 to go to work, goes to class at noon, and works on his game all evening," boasts Penn State Fayette Coach Mookie John.  "He's a leader by example," added John.

McKenna is from Pittsburgh, PA and played his high school ball at the storied Pittsburgh Central Catholic.  He was an integral part of their 2008 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Championship team.  In fact, McKenna hit the game winning shot from half court.  "He's a winner, and he's willing to work harder than anyone to keep winning the right way," says John.

Jacob Bronder (Pittsburgh, PA) was named to the PSUAC Honorable Mention list.  Bronder, a Junior forward who played his high school ball at Thomas Jefferson, was also a member of a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state champion football team for the Jaguars.  After Bronder transferred from Penn State Wilkes Barre to be closer to his hometown of Jefferson Hills, he quickly became acclimated with the Roaring Lions style of play.  "Coach (David) Winns was an (USCAA) All-American, so his insight and approach to finishing around the hoop has really helped elevate my game," says Bronder. 

Bronder found himself becoming a "go-to" guy early in the season as the biggest inside presence within the Fayette Famiily.  Bronder finished the season with averages of 13 points and just over 7 rebounds per game.  His season high of 24 points came against St. Vincent college in the Roaring Lions' first game back from the semester break on January 2, and he posted 22 on two separate occasions (PSU Brandywine, PSU DuBois).