Maybe it was the lack of snow or the warmer-than-normal temperatures over the last month, but it is really hard to believe we are at the halfway point of the scholastic basketball season. Here’s three Eastern Pennsylvania Conference-related observations from the first half of the winter sports campaign.
Parkland looks even better than last year
They not only have practically the same team back from a year ago, but they have more depth and can beat you in more ways than they did during last season’s run to the state playoffs. They barely missed a beat without some of their football players on board to start the season—giving the “reserves” an extended varsity experience. However, the returning players seem even more determined than a year ago, and I don’t think anything less than a state title game is what they are setting their sights on.
The only question might be what teams they’ll face—and when—in the PIAA tournament. There’ll be several of the high-octane offenses from Philadelphia that love to push the tempo and Parkland doesn’t get a whole lot of chances to see that from teams in the Lehigh Valley—not to the extent of the Philly teams. However, the team has gotten some significant tests early (and a couple more still to come before states). I would be surprised if the seniors refuse to take every opportunity to match the football team’s success, and it certainly looks like they have the weapons to go much deeper into the state playoffs.
Central’s coming on strong
I saw Central Catholic a few times in December, and, they looked like a young team that had a ton of potential, and, after going through some growing pains, they would eventually have great success.
I’m not sure if Santa granted the Vikings a flash forward to their learning curve, but in the times I’ve seen them since Christmas, it seems like the younger players are not only buying into the team-defense approach, but they are becoming much more comfortable playing—and scoring—together on the court. I think some of the Class 3A teams were hoping Central Catholic might have to wait until next year to once again be considered the favorite in the District XI playoffs, but the way the Vikings have been playing the last few weeks, I think they have a great chance at being in the EPC playoffs as well as being the ‘team-to-beat’ in their district classification.
Freedom as a dark horse?
There are some interesting teams in the “Steel” division of the EPC—and probably several of those teams could make the playoffs with a quality run over the next few weeks. If I had to pick one of them to surprise area basketball fans over the next month, I’m leaning toward Freedom.
They have one of the area’s best head coaches (Joe Stellato), a great coaching staff, and some really good athletes. On paper, they may not be the best team, but they’ve had some nice wins and have been “in” most of their losses. Not many people are picking the Patriots to do much in the post-season, but of all the teams not directly in the area’s media spotlight, I think Freedom might be one team to make some noise over the next month.
Allen and Whitehall were also featured on RCN-TV recently and are two more teams that have played well this season. With a number of talented teams, the Canaries, Zephyrs and a few other teams all very well could contend in the playoffs this February. Also, Bethlehem Catholic was a team to watch on our basketball preview show back in December, and they have done very little to disappoint so far.
We’ll have more opinions and video highlights of other high school sports teams, in addition to wrestling videos, coming up over the next several weeks here at the “SportsTalk Shop.”
Also, keep checking back to the RCN-TV website for our schedule the latest games to be broadcast on RCN-TV and feel free to send your sports comments and opinions to us at RCNSporsTalk@rcn.com
