ed note: We are
pleased to have the some info from the North Eastern part of the state.
We are pleased to have a long time LLHoops fan , Jon K. to contribute.
Thanks Jon. Hope you enjoy.
UPDATED 12/9/08
The first weekend of District 2 hoops is in the books and
coaches definitely gained some valuable feedback on their team core strengths
and potential weaknesses. With a shortened season (22 games this year), every
game counts maybe a bit more than previously. Many of the district teams
participated in opening tip-off tourneys this past weekend. In fact there were
at least 8 boys and 12 girls events across the region. Tournaments can be a
wonderful experience for participants, but can also present unique challenges
for coaches, especially when their team may be playing in a consolation
matchup, an early tip before a small crowd. So, motivation and intensity can
be a bit of a challenge, especially on a squad seeking to find floor leadership.
This week the NEP Beat will recap most of the tip-off
tourneys and bring you some of the weekend highlights in the news and notes
section. Also, we’ll take a moment to pay tribute to a pair of former District
2 coaching legends. This week there are plenty of premier exhibition games
scheduled. On the boys side, Holy Cross travels to Pittston Wednesday night
and Abington Heights plays at Holy Redeemer on Saturday. Girls top games
include Dunmore hosting Scranton Thursday night before heading to play at Holy
Redeemer Saturday night. Also on Saturday Hazleton travels to take on a
resurgent Williamsport team.
BRUCE LEIBS NETS CAREER WIN NUMBER 600
Former longtime District 2 coaching legend Bruce Leib, now
in his third season at Central Dauphin East, gained career win number 600 last
Friday night (40-36 over North Penn. Leib, a history teacher at CD East, has an
impressive resume dating back to his first coaching stint at Mullen HS in
Denver where he was 111-33. In 1985 Bruce returned to his boyhood community to
take on the Hazleton Mountaineer program and then the subsequent centralized
high school, Hazleton Area Cougars. It began an amazingly successful period of
hoops that still brings smiles to local fans and causes rival WVC coaches to
cringe. Leib brought state prominence to Hazleton and often played
interdistrict games in front of 5,000 plus crowds. There were electrifying
wins over Nanticoke, Coughlin, Pittston, Bishop Hoban, Reading, Norristown and
Chester. And there were bitter defeats on the hardwoods of Stabler Arena to
Penn Wood and Hershey Arena (1993 state championship 4A loss to Erie Prep).
Bruce amassed an incredible 458-129 (78% winning) during his 15 years in
Hazleton. Interestingly, a top senior on his 1985 Mountaineer team was Mike
Joseph, the current mentor of the Cougar program now in his third season.
Congratulations Bruce from the NEP Beat.
REMBERING WVC COACHING LEGEND BOB SCHULER
Back on November 24, the entire District 2 community lost a
longtime friend and girls coaching legend when Bob Schuler passed away at the
age of 76. Bob coached the Bishop Hoban girls program from 1985 through the
2006 seasons, achieving an impressive 410-162 record over those 21 seasons.
Schuler, a noted athlete himself, playing hoops for King College in the early
50s, was in many ways a real players coach. There always seemed to be a
fatherly role on the bench mixed in with the supremely gentleman role that
other players and coaches saw. His successful Lady Argent program dropped the 1994
AAA state championship to North Catholic, but won gold over Girard in the 1999
AA title game. Schuler made one more trip to Hershey, dropping the 2A
championship to Karns City in 2000. Individually, in 2003 Meredith Alexis
graduated from Bishop Hoban with a scholarship to play basketball at Division 1
James Madison. His coaching tenure ended abruptly in 2006 by the school administration
who was seeking to take the program in a different direction. The NEP Beat
expresses the most heartfelt wishes to the Schuler family.
HOLY CROSS DEFENSE TOO STRONG FOR COMETS
In an opening night marquee matchup among top Lackawanna
League powerhouses, Holy Cross and Abington Heights hit the Marywood University
hardwoods before a lively, near capacity crowd. The first half was paced more
to the liking of AH as the Comets took an 18-13 lead into the locker room.
But, even as the Comet faithful began cheering overrated toward their Holy
Cross counterparts at halftime, it was clear that the Crusader lineup had the potential
to impress. It was just a matter of time. Having the ball handling services
of Ron Weber (16 points) back from ACL injury last year was critical and 6-6 junior
Mark Bevacqua is so versatile inside. After Holy Cross cut the lead to 20-15
with 6:00 remaining in the third, HC defensive ace and top reserve JJ Gaughan
had about enough. He confidently pounded the court on his return trip down
court to inspire both himself and his teammates. The result was an explosion
of Comet turnovers (32 on the night) and a 43-33 Holy Cross victory. Both
teams have the talent and experienced coaching to have stellar seasons.
Abington Heights needs some time to find an identity and flow to their lineup.
They have plenty of height and a deep lineup, but need to develop their guard
play and be more patient on offense. Likewise, it should be a fun season for
Dunmore-based Holy Cross. The Crusaders have some terrific exhibition games
ahead (Imhotep Prep) and an unconfirmed possible date with a District 7
powerhouse.
DISTRICT 2 BOYS TIP-OFF RECAPS,
NEWS, AND NOTES
In opening weekend tourney action, Hazleton Area again
headed out west to take part on the State College Skip Coleman Tourney. The
Cougars got 16 points from Adam Davis and actually led 21-20 at the break over
District 7 WPIAL powerhouse North Allegheny, but gave up an 18-2 run and lost
in the opening round 57-47. In the consolation, Hazleton took on Bishop
Guilfoyle from District 6. Mike Joseph opted for a pressing defense and it worked
to net a lot of transition points. Cougar big men Dan Magushack and Paris
Cleveland (a great athlete with potential) scored 25 of their 48 points n the
19 point victory over the Marauders. North Allegheny defeated State College in
the title game, 83-80 in overtime. In the Old Forge Badger tourney, Pittston
placed 4 players in double figures to advance to the title game, 66-18 over
Northwest while Wyoming Area got 17 points from Bernard Edmonds and rallied
past the home Blue Devils. In the Championship game Matt Zera netted 20 points
to lead Pittston to a 58-41 win over Wyoming Area (Edmonds had 25 points and 12
rebounds). Old Forge claimed the consolation 57-38 over Northwest. In the
Hawley tourney, Wallenpaupack slipped by Mid Valley 35-35 and Western Wayne
dropped the consolation 54-42 to Monticello (NY). Blue Ridge captured the
Sayre tourney title with a 55-34 win over the host team while Mountain View
claimed the consolation 60-14 over Thomas Edison. Susquehanna won the Deposit
championship with wins over Afton (63-48) and Gilbertsville (63-37). In the
Nespoli tourney, Wyoming Seminary dropped the title game to Hughesville, 53-36
while Berwick lost the consolation, 60-30 to Montoursville. In the Bearcat
Classic at York HS), Williamsport rolled over Reading in the opening round,
84-67 as the Millionaires placed 5 players in double figures (Twine 19, Lynch
12, Monroe 15, Ruane 11, and Jordan 15). In the championship game, York
Williams Penn built an early lead and held on as Port tried to close the gap,
but prevailed 77-73. For the Cherry and white, Jadiah Lynch score 27 and
Dontahe Jordan netted 14 in the loss. Eric Steinmetz (North Pocono) scored 25
points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Trojans 61-41 win over Dunmore. Scranton
Prep combined to nail 11 treys in their 73-39 victory over Meyers. Elk Lake
won the Red Wallace game 41-35 over Carbondale. Kyle Colachino (Valley View)
scored 25 points in a 63-53 win over Honesdale (Sean Curran had 25 for the
Hornets). Super sophomore 6-11 Pete Alexis scored 34 points for Holy Redeemer
in their 74-63 win over Scranton (Bilal Floyd had 24 for the Knights). GAR
eased into their patented press and erased a 22-9 deficit to crosstown rival
Coughlin to win 45-39. Dallas got an impressive win over Hanover 48-29 as
Henry Messinger scored 18. Bethlehem Freedom broke open a close game to defeat
Wyoming Valley West, 56-43. The Spartans rebounded to edge Pleasant Valley
48-47 in OT as Ali Muhammed scored 27 for WVW. Crestwood got 30 points from
Adam Fazzini (19 in the second quarter) and had a huge second half offensive
explosion to defeat Nanticoke, 68-36. Holy Cross got 19 points from Louis Cipriano
to get by Hanover 48-36 (Rob Kokinda had 14 for the Hawks). Mike Eckman (Lake
Lehman) scored 21 points in a 66-51 win over West Side Tech. Tyler Breznitsky
(MMI Prep) netted 22 points in an impressive 59-58 over Shenandoah Valley,
possibly marking a turning point for the Prepper program in winning close
games. Abington Heights rebounded from their loss to Holy Cross to roll over
Wyoming Valley West, 65-44. Nanticoke got a big win over Tunkhannock, 55-54.
LLHOOPS NORTHEAST BEAT BOYS
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Adam Fazzini (6-5,
senior) Crestwood scored 30 points (19 in the second period) in the Comets
impressive opening night victory over Nanticoke
Pete Alexis (6-11,
sophomore) Holy Redeemer scored 34 points for the Royals in their 74-63 win
over Scranton.
UPCOMING DISTRICT 2 TOP BOYS GAMES
TUESDAY, 12/9
West Scranton vs. Forest City (Finan Tourney Championship)
Honesdale at Carbondale (Finan Tourney Consolation)
Whitehall at Hazleton
Nanticoke at Holy Redeemer
Old Forge at Western Wayne
Wyoming Area at Wilkes-Barre GAR
WEDNESDAY, 12/10
Dunmore at Abington Heights
Wilkes-Barre Coughlin at Hanover
Holy Cross at Pittston
THURSDAY, 12/11
Notre Dame E.S. at Old Forge
Valley View at West Scranton
Williamsport at Shamokin
Abington Heights at Tunkhannock
Wyoming Seminary at Dallas
Wilkes-Barr GAR at Holy Redeemer
FRIDAY, 12/12
Carbondale at Pittston
Tunkhannock at Montrose
East Stroudsburg South at Wallenpaupack
SATURDAY, 12/13
Abington Heights at Holy Redeemer
Wyoming Valley West at Williamsport
West Scranton at Dunmore
Council Rock North at Hazleton
Scranton Prep at Valley View
Wyoming Seminary at Wilkes-Barre Coughlin
MONDAY, 12/15
Crestwood at Wilkes-Barre GAR
Hazleton at Easton
Holy Redeemer at Holy Cross (Marywood)
Crestwood at Williamsport
Wyoming Valley West at Scranton
Nanticoke at Dallas
Forest City at Dunmore
Mountain View at Old Forge
Pocono Mountain West at Scranton Prep
North Pocono at Wilkes-Barre Coughlin
TUESDAY, 121/6
Crestwood at Williamsport
Valley View at North Pocono
Tunkhannock at Wyoming Seminary
DISTRICT 2 BOYS EXHIBTION
RECORDS (games thru 12/8)
WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE
DIVISION 1
Crestwood (2-0)
Hazleton Area (1-1)
Pittston (2-0)
Tunkhannock (2-1)
Wyoming Valley West (1-2)
DIVISION 2
Berwick (0-2)
Dallas (1-0)
Holy Redeemer (1-0)
Wilkes-Barre Coughlin (1-1)
Wyoming Area (1-1)
DIVISION 3
Hanover (0-3)
Lake-Lehman (1-0)
Nanticoke (1-1)
Wilkes-Barre GAR (1-0)
Wilkes-Barre Meyers (0-2)
DIVISION 4
Northwest (1-2)
MMI Prep (1-1)
St. Michaels
West Side Tech (0-2)
Wyoming Seminary (1-2)
LACKAWANNA LEAGUE
DIVISION 1
Abington Heights (1-1)
Delaware Valley (0-2)
Honesdale (0-2)
North Pocono (2-0)
Scranton (1-1)
Scranton Prep (1-0)
Wallenpaupack (2-0)
West Scranton (1-0)
DIVISION 2
Carbondale (0-2)
Dunmore (0-1)
Holy Cross (2-0)
Lakeland
Mid Valley (1-1)
Old Forge (1-1)
Riverside (0-2)
Valley View (1-1)
DIVISION 3
Blue Ridge (2-0)
Elk Lake (1-0)
Forest City (1-0)
Lackawanna Trail (1-1)
Montrose (2-0)
Mountain View (1-1)
Susquehanna (3-0)
Western Wayne (0-2)
GIRLS BASKETBALL GIRLS
BASKETBALL GIRLS BASKETBALL
DISTRICT 2 BOYS TIP-OFF RECAPS,
NEWS, AND NOTES
In recent years, the Hazleton Lady Cougar Tip Off Tourney
featured some of the elite teams from across the eastern part of the state.
This year was no different, although there were definitely big holes to fill at
Cheltenham, Spring Ford, and Abington Heights. Abington Heights, minus the 22
points per game that Becky Burke deliver last year, kept close with Cheltenham
(trailed only 24-21 after three periods), but dropped a 43-32 loss to the
Panthers. Hazleton, gaining the services of Alyssa Flanagan (out last year with
ACL), got a great effort from Christina Sereta (26 points, 10 rebounds) to
defeat Spring Ford 74-47. In the championship game, Flanagan scored 29 points
and Maddy Ludwig added 21 to lead Hazleton to a pulsating 66-65 win over the
District 1 perennial powerhouse to capture their first title in 5 years.
Abington Heights hit some clutch free throws down the stretch to secure a 42-39
win over Spring Ford in the consolation. In the Hawley tourney, Charlcie Brink
scored 25 points Western Wayne in a 56-52 loss to Wallenpaupack and Carbondale
rallied from 5 points down late to defeat Honesdale 49-46. In the title game,
Carbondale edged Paupack 49-46 in OT as the Chargerettes once again rallied
from a 7 point deficit after three quarter to force OT (Cassie Catanzaro netted
22 for Carbondale). Honesdale nipped Western Wayne 40-38 in the consolation.
Tunkhannock captured the Lady Hoopsters tourney in wins over GAR (61-21) and
Elk Lake (59-39) as Tiffany Rule scored a combined 39 points for the Lady
Tigers. In the Lake Lehman tourney, Gabby Olshemski scored 6 treys in their
host team 55-22 win over Lackawanna Trail. Then, Selena Adamshick had a huge
championship game (25 points, 17 rebounds) in their 53-21 win over Wyoming
Seminary. Kelsey Deveney scored 23 points as Trail took the consy 52-33 over
Northwest. Blue Ridge dropped the Sayre title game to the host school, 43-36.
Hanover dropped both game sin the Lewisburg tourney to Lewisburg (56-44) and
East Juniata (42-40 as Shari Bugonowicz had 16 points and 16 rebounds). Berwick
took the Pocono Mountain East tourney title with wins over PM-East (31-28) and
Freire Charter 56-35 9as Katlin Michaels and Megan Nastelli combined for 38
points. MMI Prep took the consy over Perkiomen 51-34 as Morgan Palermo netted
10 points. Old Forge won the Badger Tournament 37-23 over Pittston. Lauren
Smircherko had 20 points in Pittston opening round win over Lakeland. A pair
of terrific opening round games were played in the WVW Rotary Tourney. Host
WVW got by Pottsville Nativity 57-55 as Amy Aquilar and Nina Liguori each
scored 13 points. Dallas needed double overtime to edge Meyers 66-64 as
Jessica Flaherty scored 16 for Dallas and Christa Tutella had 19 for Meyers.
Championship and consy are set for Tuesday night. And out in Williamsport,
confidence is sky-high as the Lady Millionaires already equaled their entire
2-win total from last year with wins over Athens and a very good Montoursville
squad (44-36). Second year head coach Derek Slaughter has his team playing very
well to start. Abbey Rodway (Valley View) scored 21 points in a 53-35 win over
Montrose. Mid Valley led 43-0 at halftime on their way to a 6-4 win over West
Side Tech. Lauren Carra (Dunmore) scored 19 points in a 44-40 win over
Scranton Prep. North Pocono edged by Riverside 55-48 (Jess Segilia had 21 for
the Lady Vikes). Holy Redeemer controlled standout Terika Turner and got 16
points from Christina Peterlin and 11 points (12 rebounds) from Monica Wignot
in their 62-30 win over Scranton. Nanticoke got 19 points from Kelsey Yohey to
defeat Coughlin 52-46. Hazleton hung on to barely survive a Scranton comeback,
60-58. State College got milestone win number 600 in a 53-37 win over Holy
Redeemer.
LLHOOPS NORTHEAST BEAT BOYS
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Alyssa Flanagan (senior)
Hazleton had a career high 29 points in the Lady Cougars 66-65 win over
Cheltenham.
Selena Adamshick (Lake
Lehman) scored 25 points and pulled down 17 rebounds in a 53-21 win over
Wyoming Seminary.
UPCOMING DISTRICT 2 TOP GIRLS NON-TOURNEY GAMES
TUESDAY, 12/9
Dallas at Wyoming Valley West (Rotary Title)
Wilkes-Barre Meyers vs. Pottsville Nativity BVM (Rotary
Consolation)
North Pocono at Dunmore
Nanticoke at North Schuylkill
THURSDAY, 12/11
Dallas at Abington Heights
Scranton at Dunmore
Scranton Prep at Montrose
Pittston at Nanticoke
Wyoming Valley West at Williamsport
FRIDAY, 12/12
East Stroudsburg South at Berwick
Tunkhannock at Lake-Lehman
SATURDAY, 12/13
Montrose at Carbondale
Dunmore at Holy Redeemer
Hazleton at Williamsport
Nanticoke at Wyoming Valley West
MONDAY, 12/15
Scranton Prep at Holy Redeemer
Scranton at Wyoming Valley West
Williamsport at Shamokin
TUESDAY, 12/16
Nanticoke at Crestwood
State College at Hazleton
DISTRICT 2 GIRLS EXHIBTION
RECORDS (games thru 12/8)
WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE
DIVISION 1
Crestwood (1-0)
Hazleton Area (3-0)
Pittston (1-1)
Tunkhannock (2-0)
Wyoming Valley West (1-0)
DIVISION 2
Berwick (2-0)
Dallas (1-0)
Holy Redeemer (1-1)
Wilkes-Barre Coughlin (1-1)
Wyoming Area (2-1)
DIVISION 3
Hanover (0-2)
Lake-Lehman (2-0)
Nanticoke (1-0)
Wilkes-Barre GAR (0-3)
Wilkes-Barre Meyers (0-2)
DIVISION 4
MMI Prep (1-2)
Northwest (0-2)
West Side Tech (0-1)
Wyoming Seminary (1-1)
LACKAWANNA LEAGUE
DIVISION 1
Abington Heights (0-2)
Delaware Valley (1-1)
Honesdale (1-1)
North Pocono (1-0)
Scranton (0-2)
Scranton Prep (0-1)
Wallenpaupack (1-1)
West Scranton
DIVISION 2
Carbondale (2-1)
Dunmore (1-0)
Holy Cross (1-0)
Lakeland (0-2)
Mid Valley (1-0)
Old Forge (2-0)
Riverside (0-1)
Valley View (2-0)
DIVISION 3
Blue Ridge (1-1)
Elk Lake (1-2)
Forest City
Lackawanna Trail (1-1)
Montrose (0-1)
Mountain View (1-0)
Susquehanna (1-1)
Western Wayne (1-2)
That’s it for this edition of the NEP Beat. See you next
time!
Question or Comments, email us at LLHoops.NEP-Beat@att.net
Jon K.
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