Cross Court Vision: McCaskey v Lebanon

Written by: Sterling Cross on January 15, 2025

On the Court:

DeAndre Jones did not start the game for McCaskey, but came in mid way through the 1st with a visible limp and one of his legs wrapped. He still led all scorers with 19 and added a couple blocks, but passed on a fast break dunk opportunity electing to just lay it in.

Lebanon led throughout and took a 3PT lead into the 4th. The box score may fool you into thinking McCaskey won this game with an offensive onslaught in the fourth (24 points in 8 minutes is 96ppg pace), but it was really suffocating defense to start the period that gave them a lead and then Lebanon taking fouls and gambling to get back in it at the end that ultimately ran up the scoring for the Red Tornadoes

Overall Thoughts:

This was my first time seeing Lebanon, ever. So I was surprised when I looked after the game to see Derek Franco and Manny Martinez are both underclassmen (freshman and sophomore respectively). They don’t look like it physically or play like it on the court. Watch out for Lebanon over the next couple seasons, although they may have to take a few lumps this year

This game didn’t really change much about my take on McCaskey (see my section 1 mid season observations here), except that they did seem more focused on defense… which remains a scary reality for the rest of the league

Up Next:

Lebanon will play Penn Manor tomorrow in Millersville, in what may feel like a must win game for the Cedars if they want to keep pace in section 1. They lost by 11 at home the first time around, but I think the Comets should be on upset alert after a big win against Township on Monday. If they look past Lebanon they could easily get beat.

McCaskey has Cedar Crest at home. Home court doesn’t feel like a huge advantage for McCaskey (see off court details below), but they beat the Falcons once already (albeit by only 2 points) and seem to have renewed focus on defense

After Thursday’s section 1 slate there is a realistic chance that 5 teams are tied at 4-3 (assuming Township handles business on the road against Hempfield). That likely won’t be the case, but wouldn’t it be fun if it does happen?

Off the court:

McCaskey may have the best cheerleading squad in the LL, certainly the biggest (I’m probably not qualified to opine on cheer quality). That only partially makes up for a total lack of a student section.

You can’t park in the lot closest to the gym and you have to enter through metal detectors. I think they’re the only school in the LL where that’s the case. Just a heads up.

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