High School Hoops “Less Definite” Predictions
The high school basketball season just got underway and over the next few days, there are going to be some great stories produced by the local newspaper outlets with previews, predictions and pre-season layouts of which teams will finish in the top league and district playoff berths.
However, I have been following local basketball in this area for over two decades now and I don’t think I’ve ever seen as “cut-and-dry” season ahead for scholastic teams. So before we get to some more “less definite predictions” for the upcoming basketball season, let’s get a few of the “stone-cold” locks out of the way:
- Bethlehem Catholic will win at least two state titles this winter sports season
- The Becahi boys team will lose no more than three EPC regular season games all year
- The Becahi girls team will lose less than that—and may have only a handful of games decided by single digits
- The Southern Lehigh girls will have more competitive games this winter, yet still will win the Colonial League and District championship easily
- Bangor boys will again dominate the Colonial League
- Central Catholic will be very strong and play in both the EPC & District playoffs
Now that we have gotten the “easy” stuff out of the way, here are a few of the more intriguing storylines to watch unfold this winter sports season:
- Can Catty reach the playoffs?
- Both Boys Coach Eric Snyder and Girls Coach Ed Seidick are two of the nicest guys in the league, and they’ve been trying to build up their programs the last few years to either get to the playoffs (girls) or have any kind of post-season success (boys team). Both have some great talent and, of what I saw over the summer, the boys team will vie for a playoff spot (although improved shooting from the free throw line is a MUST) and I think the girls team could be an improved team in 2018.
- Whitehall will eventually have more success–despite graduating eight kidsHowever, their youth and development programs have been churning out some great young student athletes (I was very impressed speaking with them during the summer leagues—those interviews were posted here on our website) and I think that the Zephyrs will “add by subtraction for this year.” By year’s end, Whitehall almost certainly finishes this year more strongly than they finished last season.
- One of the best teams for the first 95% of last year’s regular season was Whitehall, in a year many Zephyrs fans claimed to have one of the greatest WHS teams of all time (and they’ve had some terrific ones over their illustrious history). However, the team seemed to become unglued heading into the last week of the regular season, and sustained one of the ugliest finishes in many Whitehall fans’ collective memory.
- Allentown Central Catholic girls team will be “back”
- The Central Catholic girls basketball program have put together some of the most impressive consecutive winning steaks (in terms of league/district titles) in the entire state and have the greatest track record among Lehigh Valley schools producing outstanding basketball players. Last year, thanks to the newly expanded playoff format, even a team with a sub-500 record could qualify, which included Central Catholic, and allowed their post-season playoff streak to continue. However, the Vikettes are playing with more confidence this year and I think they will be a legitimate playoff team this year and don’t rule out this team garnishing some individual honors among its players as well.
- Keep an eye out for the “Three Junior Patriots”
- Although it sounds like a failed suggestion for a 50’s trio musical group, the Patriots saw more and more contributions from their then-sophomore players (who were very impressive with their scrappy defense) a year ago, and look poised to be prime-time players this winter. Allen, Parkland, Emmaus, Liberty and Pocono Mountain West will be listed as the “6A” teams to beat, and not many people have Freedom on their radar this winter. But don’t be surprised if the Patriots go deeper into the playoffs this February and pull off a few “upsets” this season (and look for Easton to do the same).
Now, time to sit back and enjoy, what should be, a very competitive high school basketball season…and don’t forget to visit the RCN-TV schedule to check out our high school basketball broadcasts through January 31st — now posted and available to view here on our website!
