During his time at Southmoreland, Ty Keffer established himself as one of the best athletes in recent memory. On the hardwood, in particular, he finished as the second-leading scorer in program history. Now, Keffer is thriving with the University of Pitt-Greensburg basketball team. He is under the microscope in this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

During Keefer’s freshman season at Southmoreland in 2020-21, the Scotties struggled mightily, going just 2-17 overall, including 0-11 in the section. The WPIAL held an open postseason tournament because of COVID, as the Scotties participated and lost to Derry Area in the preliminary round.

The next year, Southmoreland and Keffer made notable strides, going 8-12 overall, including 4-8 in section play. However, the Scotties failed to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

In 2022-23, Southmoreland improved to 13-9 overall, but the Scotties went just 3-7 in the section, missing the postseason once again. Keefer enjoyed a senior season to remember in 2023-24. He averaged 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game with the Scotties. Southmoreland also enjoyed a resurgent season, going 16-7 on the campaign, including 5-5 in the section. The Scotties qualified for the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, but fell to Montour in the first round.

Keffer concluded his Scotties basketball career with 1,575 points, which ranked second in program history. He also thrived in football and baseball at Southmoreland.

Despite interest from college football programs, Keffer opted to play basketball at the next level, joining the University of Pitt-Greensburg for the 2024-25 season. In his freshman season with the Bobcats, Keffer played in all 27 games, including 14 starts. During that action, he averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds, while adding 24 assists, 27 steals, and 10 blocks. UPG compiled a mark of 18-9 overall, including 12-4 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC). However, the Bobcats suffered a loss to Penn State Altoona in the AMCC semifinals. Pitt-Greensburg still qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament, but fell to McDaniel College in the first round.

This season, Keffer has started 24 of 25 games, posting 9.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while racking up 40 assists, 36 steals, and six blocks. To this point, the Bobcats have amassed a record of 21-4, finishing the AMCC ledger with a mark of 13-3. UPG plays La Roche University in the AMCC semifinals on Friday.

Ty dedicated time to answer questions about the best qualities of his head coach at UPG, how he decided that his athletic future was in hoops, and what rule he’d change about college basketball.

Q: How have you evaluated your play this season?

A: My coach wanted me to score more and defend one of the other team’s better players this year, and I wanted to take on that role.

Q: You have drastically increased your field goal percentage from a year ago. What have been the biggest factors in that?

A: My teammates find me in the right spots and have confidence in me to score. One of the biggest factors is getting a lot of shots up and just taking a lot of reps with my teammates.

Q: What were the challenges and benefits of playing against Division I and Division II opponents this season?

A: Challenges - playing harder competition; Benefits - playing harder competition makes it seem easier for when we play our conference games; helps your confidence.

Q: What are the best qualities of head coach Chris Klimchock?

A: He trusts us to play together and do what we need to do to win games. He also never takes it easy on us in practice or in games. He is always pushing us to be our best.

Q: What team and individual goals did you establish for this campaign?

A: Team goals- win a ring; Individual - do whatever role I need to do for us to win the ring.

Q: What led to your decision to attend UPG?

A: The coaches really convinced me that I could help change this program around. It is 20 minutes away from my home. (Assistant coach) Harry Bowser was also a really big factor in my decision.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: Major - communication. I do not know what I want to do in the future.

Q: What has been your favorite aspect of college, aside from basketball?

A: Being around all of my friends every day.

Q: You also excelled at football at Southmoreland. How and when did you decide basketball was the sport you would pursue in college?

A: I had more fun in general with basketball. It just always clicked for me, and I always was going to go to college for basketball.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: Playing basketball, baseball, and football with all my friends.

Q: If you could change one rule about college basketball, what would it be?

A: Transfer rules. You should not be able to transfer to four schools in four years.

Q: Do you use water, a sports drink, or something else during basketball?

A: I usually drink purple Gatorade.

Q: What is a little-known fact about you or a hidden talent you possess?

A: I am pretty good at tennis.

Q: If you were stranded on an island with one teammate, who would you choose? Why?

A: Ben Thomas, because he is one of the smarter teammates I have.