The season of 2016-17 officially came to an end this past weekend with the VIA All-Star basketball games being played. Outstanding seniors donned their school’s uniforms for the last time and Lehigh Valley basketball was officially over. There is no better time to reminisce… Here are my top ten memories of this past season.
- The RCN TV team – I have spent more than 40+ years with this group and they never cease to amaze me with their work ethic, their dedication and their skills. Imagine over 100 winter productions laying wire, setting up cameras at the top of arenas, preparing the announcers’ booth, working the game and reversing the whole process when the game ends. Now imagine doing that over and over and over again.
- East Stroudsburg North – This team had to put together a winning streak down the stretch just to get into the EPC playoffs and districts. They lost to Bethlehem Catholic in the EPC semis on a last second shot but came back to beat Whitehall, Central Catholic, and Pottsville to win their first District championship in school history. The icing on the cake was their first-round state win (also, the first in school history) before finally falling. It was a memorable season to say the least.
- Lafayette women win at home – On February 25, the Lafayette women were playing Colgate in the final home game of the year. They had not won a game at home all season. In as entertaining game as you could see, the Leopards prevailed by a 90-85 score. I’ll never forget how happy the women were along with their staff that they got this win on Senior Day. Then, despite winning only two league games all year, they went on to win the first round game in the Patriot League Tournament. More smiles.
- Lafayette hires new head football coach – Despite the winter sports season being about basketball and wrestling, the news that Lafayette hired a new head football coach makes my top ten. I loved working with former head coach Frank Tavani and, obviously, was saddened by his departure. John Garrett was named the new head coach on December 21. He enters Lafayette with a tremendous resume with both college and NFL experience. Having attended some spring practices, there is a renewed energy in the staff and the players. I’ll take that same energy into next season. Go Leopards!
- Tom and John – All the respect and praise I feel for the RCN staff carries over to my color analysts for high school and college basketball, Tom Stoudt and John Leone. Obviously, the three of us spend a great deal of time together and it is full of conversation, joking, ribbing, and good times. The winter goes very quickly when you are around these guys!
- Allen’s fan base – Many of us in the media have been lamenting the absence of good crowds for the high school basketball games in the past few years. Interest just seemed to lag. Not this year. Gyms were filled, for the most part, and the Allen fan base wins the award for the greatest support. I think interest was up throughout the Valley, but no team had more support, both adult and student-based than the Allen Canaries. There is nothing better than a high school gym filled with two good teams and an enthusiastic crowd. There were plenty of both this season.
- Emmaus’ run in the PIAA state playoffs – This team went in as the #4 seed from District XI – a seed we had never had before the increase in classifications. In other words, before this year, they would not have even gotten into the playoffs. They sure made the opportunity pay off. No boys’ team from the Lehigh Valley went further into the playoffs. They beat Cheltenham and Harrisburg before losing in double overtime to Carlisle in the most exciting game of the year. Talk about seizing the moment.
- The individual talent – I have never experienced a year with so much talent on so many teams, both boys and girls. It did not seem to matter which gym you would walk into. You knew that there would be two or three or sometimes eight great players. One night a doubleheader featured eight 1,000 point scorers (unheard of). Martin, Williams, Iorio, Kachelries, Kachelries, Johnson, Singh, etc. on the boys’ side, and Blount, Brugler, Cyr, Luma, Zamolyi, Medina, Bloshuk, etc. on the girls’ side. Most graduate but, hopefully, the next group is ready to make history as well.
- The Bethlehem Catholic state championship – This team won a school-record thirty games, breezed through the PIAA state playoffs and won their first state title in history. They were led by Jose Medina, who has won 75 games in three years as their head coach. His team won the five state games by an average of 21.2 points (oh, my!!). I just loved the way they played and the demeanor of the entire staff. You can feel good about rooting for this team.
- I think #1 on every fans’ list this season was the amazing crowd (8,000 +) at the PPL Center for the EPC semifinals. It featured four great teams – Allen, Parkland, Emmaus, and Pocono Mountain West. The games did not disappoint, the venue was spectacular, and the crowd was awesome. When I think back to my playing days (no snickering here, please), we had to travel to the State Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg to handle the crowd for a Lehigh Valley District semifinals and finals. Going to the PPL Center may have been one of the best nights ever for Lehigh Valley basketball. It’s my #1!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- How about Mississippi State stopping the Connecticut women’s basketball winning streak at 111 games. Last year, UCONN beat Mississippi State 98-38. The tables were turned in overtime this year 66-64. UCONN was going for their fifth straight NCAA title. They started their streak on December 23, 2014. Look at the recap:
- Sunday marked the 31st anniversary of the three-point shot (19’ 9”) in college basketball. It is perhaps the most dramatic change in modern basketball.
- The Flyers will not make the NHL playoffs. They were finally eliminated after losing on Sunday.
- The Dodgers and the Indians are the favorites to win the National and American League pennants with the Cubs and the Red Sox close behind.
- The Phillies won 71 games last year. Manager Pete MacKanin said he hopes to win ten more this season or one-half of the 162 games they play. Based on last year, 81 wins would have put them in third place in the NL East behind the Mets and the Nationals. A fan can only hope.
