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I would like to think that every RCN-TV sports broadcast is special to someone. Over the years, I have heard from so many parents, grandparents, and players who were so happy that they were able to watch their special team or special someone LIVE or on Video On Demand.
If this week is any indication that we will have plenty of special moments in 2019, viewers should get their DVRs warmed up.
On Friday night, Scott Barr and Ryan Nunamaker and the RCN television team traveled to Memorial Gymnasium in Bethlehem to present the Bethlehem Catholic at Liberty wrestling match. It is an inner city rivalry and, of late, it is always won by Beca. Liberty has not beaten their cross-town rivals in nine years. In fact, in the last seven years, the Golden Hawks have not lost to ANY EPC wrestling team.
Through the first ten bouts, it was business as usual. Liberty trailed Beca 30-17 and there were only four more bouts to wrestle. The crowd was huge; the energy sapped a bit by the Beca lead; and I am sure some fans were thinking about hitting the exits early to beat the crowd. And then, it all turned.
The Liberty Hurricanes won the final four bouts. Liberty won 5-4 at 170 pounds; 8-2 at 182 pounds. The score was 30-23. Unless Liberty did something special, the best they could hope for was a tie. New life was generated into the gymnasium when Damen Moyer pinned his opponent in 2:57. It was 30-29 going into the final bout.
The final crucial bout was tied 1-1 with 28 seconds to go. Senior Jake Ahmad got a takedown for Liberty and the Hurricanes won the match 32-30. The homeside fans went crazy as did the Liberty wrestlers and coaches. The nine-year winless streak had come to an end. It was great in the gymnasium and it was great television.
And the RCN-TV excitement continued into Saturday night. This time it was all about high school basketball. The two teams considered to be the area’s best, Emmaus and Bethlehem Catholic, would play each other for the only time this season, unless they would meet again in the EPC playoffs. Both were ranked in the top ten in the state.
Again, there was a packed house with a number of fans trying to squeeze into the designated TV area. Emmaus had lost only once and Beca just twice. Two of those losses were to out-of-area schools.
There was added interest to the game. Beca’s Justin Paz needed only eight points to set the all-time scoring record at the school. That record had stood for 58 years! Paz, who averages almost 21 points, scored only seven in the previous game and it was obvious the pressure was getting to him. He had only four first half points.
He changed his sneakers at the half and that, perhaps, made all the difference. At the 6:28 mark of the third period, he hit a 3-point shot and the record was his. The crowd went wild. His family was there and the moment was very special.
Beca won the game and will certainly be ranked #1 in the area.
Both Liberty and Bethlehem Catholic now have very special memories that were captured on RCN-TV. Anyone who wishes can now cherish the moments for as long as they like.
The first week of 2019 has been a good one for RCN-TV sports.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSING)
- The Eagles can’t possibly win another Super Bowl, can they? After Cody Parkey made a 43-yard field goal that didn’t count and then missed one that did, the Eagles are starting to look like a team of destiny. Parkey was formerly an Eagle. He missed eight field goals during the season and three extra points. It came out on Monday that the kick may have been tipped by Treyvon Hester. For the Eagles, it’s on to New Orleans.
- The Browns, Packers, Bucs, Jets, Broncos, Dolphins, Bengals, and Cardinals all fired their coaches this season. The good news for them is that they still get paid if they have time on their contract and, for those aspiring to be NFL head coaches, there is plenty of room available.
- Most fans probably did not realize that Nick Foles had the best QB rating of any QB in the wild-card games. It sure would be nice, but probably impossible, if the Eagles could find a way to keep him on the roster for next season. Call it Wentz insurance.
- By the way, all four underdogs covered the spread this past weekend. In fact underdogs have covered the spread in the last 10 playoff games. And… Cody Parkey’s missed field goal cost one gambler $100,000 when he missed the field goal in the Eagles game. The gambler had placed a $260,000 bet on the game.
- There is plenty of sports action on RCN-TV this week. There is high school basketball on Tuesday: Northampton at Freedom and Nazareth at Allen; on Friday – Liberty at Emmaus and Freedom at Parkland. Lafayette basketball will be televised on Wednesday when the men take on Loyola and on Saturday when the women play Bucknell. Liberty wrestles at Emmaus on Wednesday night following the Lafayette game.
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks (Last week: 2-2) (Overall: 161-81-2 67% )
NFL PLAYOFFS
