Are you still having trouble writing 2015? I am, too. For me, it’s probably because I continue to ponder the events of 2014. Therefore, before I jump into the new year, I would like to reflect back on my top ten RCN moments for the past year:
10. The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference was unveiled in the fall and the jury is still out whether this league is good for the Lehigh Valley schools or not.
9. Even though I do not cover wrestling anymore, RCN was there to cover Nazareth’s win for the District championship over Liberty, their first since 2007. It should also be mentioned that Easton coach Steve Powell won his 500th dual meet during the year, the first District XI coach to do so.
8. Parkland boys’ basketball won the District AAAA title for the second straight year.
7. The Easton Red Rovers football team went undefeated to win the first EPC championship, only to fall to Parkland and Phillipsburg in their final two games.
6. Central Catholic’s Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman finished his basketball career having scored 2,136 points, being named to the All-State team for four straight years, and accepting a college scholarship to play at Michigan. I miss him on the court.
5. Bethlehem Catholic’s wrestling team was absolutely awesome winning everything – Districts, PIAA team championship duals, PIAA individual team title, and crowning three individual state champions.
4. The Colonial League had three football co-champions for the first time ever and they were all very good – Northwestern, Southern Lehigh, and Saucon Valley. The League is already proving to be just as competitive in basketball this season.
3. Parkland played a memorable game in the first round of the state playoffs losing to the eventual state champs, St. Joe’s Prep, by a 34-30 score. A controversial no-call by the officials late in the game proved costly to our home team. Ironically, the only loss the current Parkland basketball team has this year is to St. Joe’s Prep by a 50-47 score. I’m certain the Parkland basketball team will be close to the top in next year’s highlights.
2. No girls’ basketball team took us further into state playoffs than the Bethlehem Catholic girls. They won the LVC, Districts, and went to the second round of states before losing. Then strange things happened: head coach Bill Lanscek was let go; former Southern Lehigh head coach Megan Delegrotti was hired, then she resigned, leaving Jose Medina in charge.
1. My #1 highlight this past year was the play of the Central Catholic boys’ basketball team. They won 29 straight games, the LVC championship, the District XI AAA championship and suffered their only loss to eventual state champ Neumann-Goretti in the PIAA quarterfinals. It was a team for the ages!
Strangely, my most vivid memory had nothing to do with a game we broadcast, but I will never forget the scene at Yankee Stadium for the 150th meeting between Lafayette and Lehigh. I was a part of the pre-game festivities on the field and after interviewing the two college presidents, I was able to pull a “Gentlemen, start your engines!” moment as I announced to the 48,000 in attendance the official start of the game. It was the best!
On to 2015!!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- There are certainly too many bowl games. Except for the competitors’ fans, there seems to be little interest in most of them. With that said, I loved the semifinals of the first BCS championship playoff. I have seen plenty of football over the years, but Oregon’s offense was amazing to me. It’s the Eagles on steroids! I was awed watching them. And, like many others, I assume, I did not expect Ohio State to beat Alabama. In fact, early on, I thought it was going to be an Alabama rout and an embarrassment for the Big Ten. It was not and I am glad I stayed up to watch until 1:00 AM. Two terrific games to watch.
- By the way, I think Oregon versus Ohio State will be an amazing contrast in football styles – old-fashioned, hard-nosed Ohio State football against the video-game look of the Oregon Ducks. I like Oregon to win.
- I am writing this the day after the NFL’s wild card weekend and I am still waiting for an explanation from the officials for picking up the flag on an obvious pass interference call in the Dallas-Detroit game. I had no vested interest in the outcome, but I think the Lions were unfairly treated when the call was negated. The official in the FOX broadcast booth felt it was definitely pass interference.
- Is it me, or does Chris Christie still look quite heavy, despite having some sort of gastric bypass surgery? There were plenty of shots of him in the Cowboys’ booth with owner Jerry Jones. I know TV adds 10 pounds, but c’mon.
- One sad reminder that another year has passed occurred when I read that Kobe Bryant of the NBA Lakers was taking days off because of his age. I remember doing one of his high school games.
(Last week – 3-1) (174-83-1 overall – 68%)
NEW ENGLAND
SEATTLE
GREEN BAY
