HS Hoops: The ACCHS Chain Gang?

Coach Andy Weaver

Last night, Allentown Central Catholic Boys' Basketball team defeated the Nazareth Blue Eagles, in Nazareth, by a lop-sided 64-46 score. I want to tell you about the game, but before I do, I have to confess I really miss high school hoops and the contagious excitement during a game,

Most of the games I attend now are college games. Although the athleticism is much higher than at the high school level, there's no real enthusiasm until the final games of the season. You'd think a 30-second shot clock would spark everyone, but colleges level refs are much more likely to call fouls. This slows things down. Moreover, unless they are playing themselves, college students are unlikely to attend because they are preparing for their futures. This week, most colleges have no games at all. Instead, students are taking their finals. So last night was a perfect opportunity for me to watch Allentown Central Catholic Boys' Basketball team take on the Nazareth Blue Eagles in Nazareth. What a difference!

The price was great. Senior citizens, aka old farts, get in for free.But I still made it a point to talk to Coach Andy Weaver, who is the official ticket taker. He proudly showed me the gold medal he received when the Blue Eagle football team won a district championship. He was also operating with a brand, spankin' new wheelchair, thanks in large part to one of my readers.

When I arrived, the JV game was in its closing minutes. The Blue Eagles managed to win by six, but the score mattered little to me. What impressed me was the enthusiasm shown by players from both sides. The bleachers were full, too, with lots of roaring fans.

I felt a little guilty about being there without paying, so when three little brats came by to sell 50-50 tickets, I spent $5 to buy 6. So did a friend of mine who came all the way from the western portion of the Lehigh Valley just to watch the kids play. Like me, he's a senior citizen. Like me, he bought six tickets for $5. Unlike me, he's a terrible Hearts' player. But I go to his house because his wife is a superior cook and is nice to me.

Now whenever I go to a game, I usually buy 50-50 tickets. Not out of guilt but greed. I've never won. In fact, I'm pretty sure the fix is in. After all, this is Nazareth  Get this. My friend made the mistake of entrusting his six tickets to me, a disbarred lawyer, when he hit the can at halftime. That's when the number was called. This meant I had 12 tickets and was bound to win. I would just tell my friend, who is barely competent, that he lost. On top of this, the little juvenile delinquents who sold me my tickets assured me I was a winner.

I lost.

The winning number probably went to ex-Mayor Carl Strye, who is no longer on ARD for skimming gaming machines at the Vig and now intends to run for Mayor.

The ACCHS Chain Gang

I tried to have the little brats arrested but they conveniently disappeared.

No wonder people want a curfew in Nazareth.

Before the game got underway, the teams come out and warm up, doing drills and shaking hands as hip hop music echoes throughout the gym. The Blue Eagles looked very sleek. But I did a double and triple take when the Vikings ran into the gym.

They have new warm-up uniforms, and they all look like they just escaped from a state penitentiary. They are a frickin' chain gang.Well, they are from Allentown. Whoever decided on that as a warm-up uniform should be excommunicated. Seriously.

As for the game, all I can say is Central is back, baby. The team dominated in an away game against the very talented Blue Eagles.

You can never count Nazareth out. One regular told me that he witnessed a game, many moons ago, in which the Vikings had a 50-point lead ... and lost. But last night, no lead was squandered. After a close first quarter, 6'7" Senior Nick "the gentle giant" Filchner exploded in the second with 10 points, including two treys. At the end of the first half, Central was up, 34-20. The Vikings kept it up in the second, and finished the night with a lop-sided 64-46 victory.

Filchner finished the night with 21, and was 7-7 in free throws. Liam "the Irishman" Joyce  had 11, and was great under the boards. Other scorers included Andrew Csentsis (8), Thomas Tyson (8), Leroy Johnson (6), Christian Spugnardi (4), Aidan Burmeister (3), Brendan Reed (2) and Colby Faust.

The team scored 8 three-pointers, and was 14-22 on the line.

Nazareth's lead scorer was 6'10" Senior Zach Umar, who wants to major in Accounting. He scored 15, including two treys. Other scorers included Anthony Harris (6), Latif Elam (6), Ryan Kressge (6), Chris Bonser-Santos (4), Dan Novak (2), Andrew Stapert (2), Ben Houchin (2), Joseph Adames (2) andMatt Bugbee (1).

The team scored 5 treys, and was 6 for 9 in free throws.

The ACCHS Chain Gang will be hosted by Parkland Thursday night, while Nazareth visits Whitehall.

Bangor School Board VP Tossed From Basketball Game

Earlier this season, Moravian Academy stunned Bangor's talented boys' basketball team in a 66-65 victory. Not only was it Bangor's first Colonial League defeat in three years, but the game was won in a buzzer beater off an assist from Abe Atiyeh to Peter Chiaradia. But that was then. Surely things would be different when the Lions would visit Bangor and play both the team and a host of enthusiastic Slaters ON February 6. Sure enough, things were different. This time, Moravian won by 10in a 73-63 victory during which four Lions scored in the double digits. Unfortunately, the game was marred by a display of poor sportsmanship. Was it someone on the team? No. Coaching staff? No. A student? No. A parent? No. The person who had to be taken out by police was none other than Bangor School Board VP Steve Bussenger.

Over the years, especially at summer league, I've seen Bussenger at numerous games. I've never seen him act out. But he apparently did something during last weeks game to prompt an official to eject him. After the signal was given, Bussenger refused to move. So the signal was given again, and Bussenger still refused to leave. The official had to request a school police officer, and one who happens to be a Bussenger cousin, to escort him from the facility.

Everyone in the slate belt is related. Bussenger is also a cousin of Bangor's coach, Bron Holland.

Exactly what Bussenger did to prompt ejection is unclear to me. I've been unable to reach him.

On Facebook, former school director Bob Cartwright makes this observation:

If this was a student or your child or mine there would be discipline or a penalty for being ejected for one's conduct. Whether it is school suspension, loss of the privilege to attend sporting events etc but when its a School Board member there is a different standard? We teach our children and lead our students to do the right thing and conduct themselves accordingly in representing themselves,family, community and school and we are expected to look the other way when it is someone in a leadership role? We have a top notch security dept who should not have to deal with this kind of issue from our leaders.

I'm no Bussenger fan, but know from past experience that there are times when referees eject the wrong person. I'd want to hear from him before condemning him. If he did misbehave, he certainly owes the referee and his school board an apology.  A high school basketball gym is actually a classroom in which good sportsmanship is taught

Bron Holland's team is very tough and physical But in the encounters I've witnessed against Allentown Central Catholic, they were always good sports. In rare losses, Bron Holland is among the first to congratulate opposing players and coaches.

Boys' Hoops: Allentown Central Ends Magical Season

"Listen to this ...."



''It's wonderful, isn't it?"

So began my second road trip of the week to watch high school basketball  On Tuesday night, I drove a prominent local attorney through the coal regions to Hazelton, where he grew up. I received quite a history lesson along the way about mining disasters, cannibalism, the Molly Maguires and all kinds of massacres.

On Friday night, Reading High School was the destination of the quarter-final match up between Allentown Central Catholic Boys' Basketball and #1-ranked Bonner-Prendergatz. I'll have more about the game, but this second road trip, in which I served as chauffeur again, is noteworthy. This time around, the lesson was music appreciation.

We were leaving early because we were meeting up with a contingent of parents and fans at the Peanut Bar. On our way there through Friday afternoon traffic, my companion asked me to name my top composer, who is Beethoven.

"Beethoven? He's a plagiarist, you know. His 'Ode to Joy' is a clear copy of Mozart's Misericordias Domini K.222. Here, let me play it."

He dug it out and it is pretty much identical. He also told me that Mozart composed over 600 works, while Beethoven had fewer than 100.

"Rightyo," I said. "Why don't you sue him?"

"Statute of limitations," he answered.

Meat may be a sin on Lenten Fridays, but Corona Lite is fine. Because I retired from drinking long ago, I figured Jesus wouldn't mind if had a hamburger at Peanut Bar. The others set pretty good examples and avoided meat. One of the moms is even trying to cure me of my tendency to be mean and heartless when I write.

"Choose Christ!" she tells me.

Neither Mozart nor Beethoven was at the game. In a rarity for high school basketball, there was no music at all. I've always wondered what the kids would do if they came out on the court to the tune of Julie Andrews' "I feel pretty." I've never been able to convince PA operators to play it.

No sense of humor.

One woman, a friend of one of the moms who herself was quite a basketball player, asked me to point out my grandson as the team warmed up.

"He doesn't look like you at all."

"What do you mean, how do you think he got so handsome?"

"Not from you."

"Look at his muscular frame, where do you think he got that?"

"Not from you."

"You know what? You should choose Christ."

Vinnie Lynch

As for the game itself, The Morning Call's Keith Groller has a very touching account. The person I want to credit, something I was unable to do during the season, is Coach Dennis Csensits. He did a great job in taking a team that The Express Times did not even include in its initial top ten, all the way to the quarter finals. He believed in his team when they sometimes questioned themselves. In Central's pre-game prayer, everyone is reminded that the gym is a classroom where good sportsmanship is taught. He instilled that philosophy in his players. Yes, they were very physical and aggressive. But if an opponent went down, it was often a Central player who helped him to his feet. Though some parents had problems buying into the Coach's philosophy of limited playing time, almost all of them came around during the season.

If I were to single out a player who best exemplifies the spirit of this rare and remarkable team, it would be "Spicy" Vinnie Lynch.

Now Vinnie is a football player, not a basketball player. He might be the strongest boy at Central and can even bench press me. But last year, he was not getting a lot of playing time, so he went to see the coach. The coach told him his primary role on the team is to serve as a tough defender against whom the starters could practice. He might get some playing time, but not a lot.

A lot of players would hang it up after that. Not Vinnie. He decided to be part of the team and cheer everyone on, whether he was playing or not. His mom came to every game and was one of the team's biggest cheerleaders. We hear lots about the other players. But guys like Vinnie were the heart and soul of this team.

In Central's first state playoff game, Coach Csensits sent Vinnie in as the clock was winding down. Jay Vaughan fed him the ball, and Vinnie passed it right back to him. So Jay danced across the floor and back and passed it to him again. Vinnie passed it to Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman. Instead of scoring, Keeshawn passed the ball back to Vinnie, who in turn fed it to Jay. This happened about six times until Vinnie finally took a shot ... and scored.

Everyone erupted.

"I was teasing my fans," Vinnie explained after the game.

I will miss these guys.

On Saturday morning, I received a telephone call from my lawyer friend.

"Listen to this ..."

More Mozart.

Two LV Basketball Teams Still Stand in Chip Quest

Just a few days ago, seven District XI basketball teams were still standing in their quest for the chip of their respective divisions.  Now there are only two.

Boys' Basketball:

2A: Moravian Academy, which surprised many people this in outstanding play,was defeated by the #2-ranked Constitution Generals (#2) on Saturday, 83-73. The four remaining teams left are Constitution, Holy Cross (Dunmore), Sewickley Academy and Sacred Heart (Coraopolis).

4A: Bethlehem Catholic (#3) dominated Berks Catholic Friday night, 62-37. On Monday, the Golden Hawks face #1-ranked Imhotep Charter at Reading High School in the final four.

5A: Allentown Central Catholic High School was eliminated by #1-ranked Bonner-Prendergast on Friday night. I will have a separate story about that game. The Vikings finish the season ranked by MaxPreps as #5.

In the final four, Bonner will go up against Abington Heights (#4) at Freedom High School on Monday night, 7 pm. In the western part of the state, Milton Hershey (#6) will face Mars (#3).

Girls' Basketball:

5A: Southern Lehigh (#8) continues its march for a state title with a victory over Harrisburg (#2) on Saturday, 42-36. On Monday night, they will play Archbishop Wood in the final four, while Archbishop Carroll will take on Mars.

7 District XI Basketball Teams Qualify For State Quarter-Finals

The ranks have thinned. Only seven District XI basketball teams - three boys' and four girls' - have made it to the final eight in their quest for the chip of their respective divisions.

Boys' Basketball:

2A: Moravian Academy, which jumped from #21 to #17 in state rankings, dominated Northwest (Shickshinny) (#41) on Wednesday night, 74-46. It will face Philadelphia's Constitution Generals (#2) on Saturday, .

3A: Notre Dame Green Pond (#27) was eliminated by Bishop McDevitt (#15) Wednesday night, 77-51.
.
4A: Bethlehem Catholic (#3) clobbered Conwell-Egan (#29) Tuesday night, 97-66. On Friday, the Golden Hawks will take on Berks Catholic (#4) in its first competitive game for its division.

5A: Though Allentown Central Catholic High School defeated Dallas High School 61-57, on Tuesday night, they won the game in double overtime. It was against a team that at that time was only ranked #21. So the Vikings' state rankings have dropped from #7 to #10  On Friday, they set sail to Reading High School to take on the #1-ranked Friars of Bonner-Prendergast. .

6A: Pocono Mtn West (#48), the only District XI team still standing, in 6A, was disqualified last night by the Hazleton Area Cougars, 69-50.  .

Girls' Basketball:

2A: Mahanoy Area (#1) will play West Catholic (Philadelphia) (#7) on Friday night, Freedom High School, 6 pm.

Minersville (#3) will play Penns Manor (Clymer) (#10) Friday night at Bald eagle Area HS in Wingate.

3A: North Schuylkill (#1) was eliminated by Imhotep Charter (#9) last night, 65-58.

4A: Allentown Central Catholic (#14) lost a heart-breaker to #1-tanked Lancaster Catholic on Wednesday night, 32-3. .

Bethlehem Catholic (#2) was upset by Bonner-Prendergast (#16) on Wednesday night.  .

5A: Southern Lehigh (#8) trounced Lampeter-Strasburg (#14) Wednesday night, 45-29, and will face Harrisburg (#2) on Saturday.

6A: Easton (#14) was eliminated by Souderton (#2) Tuesday night, 55-41

Freedom (#15) fell to Abington (#10) Tuesday night, 63-55.

William Allen (#32) defeated Central Dauphin (#13) Tuesday night, 42-39, and will play Central Bucks South on Friday night.

14 District XI Basketball Teams Still Standing in States

Politicians must have been barred from playing any role in drawing up the PIAA district map that governs high school sports. The Lehigh Valley is part of District 11 and includes Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carboin and Schuylkill Counties. Over the weekend, the first round of games in the state championship basketball tournaments was played. After the last buzzer sounded, 14 of them are still standing and will participate in the "sweet sixteen" of their respective divisions.

I am listing them below with their state rank. This is determined by MaxPreps, and is based on wins and quality wins.  District XI can boast two boys' teams and six girls' teams included in the top ten of their respective divisions 

Boys' Basketball:

2A: Moravian Academy (#21) will face Northwest (Shickshinny) (#44) on Wednesday night.

3A: Notre Dame Green Pond (#33) will play Bishop McDevitt (#16) Wednesday night.

4A: Bethlehem Catholic (#3) will face Conwell-Egan (#29) Tuesday night

5A: Allentown Central Catholic High School (#7) will play Dallas High School (not the Cowboys) (#21) Tuesday night @ Hazleton High School, 8 pm. .

(Bangor was sadly eliminated by Lampeter-Strasburg, 54-42, on Friday night.)

6A: Pocono Mtn West (#48), after beating Chambersburg by just 1 point, will play Hazleton (#8) on Wednesday night.

(The three other District XI teams were eliminated. East Stroudsburg South fell to Neshaminy, 62-47;  Northampton lost a heartbreaker to St. Joe's Prep, 62-57); and Emmaus was dominated by Central Bucks West, 53-35.)

Girls' Basketball:

2A: Mahanoy Area (#1) will play Sacred Heart Academy (#24) Tuesday night

Minersville (#3) will play Old Forge (#26) Tuesday night.

3A: North Schuylkill (#1) will play Imhotep Charter (#9) Tuesday night.

4A: Allentown Central Catholic (#14), which defeated Lewisburg with a 3-point buzzer beater by freshman Emily Vaughan, will play Lancaster Catholic (#1) Wednesday night.

Bethlehem Catholic (#2) will play Bonner-Prendergast (#16) on Wednesday night.  .

5A: Southern Lehigh (#6) will play Lampeter-Strasburg (#13) Wednesday night.

6A: Easton (#12) will play Souderton (#2) Tuesday night. (I had the privilege of watching Leeana Deegan play on Friday night. What struck me about her and the entire Easton team is that they are really having fun.

Freedom (#5) faces Abington (#9) Tuesday night.

William Allen (#33) will play Central Dauphin (#13) Tuesday night.

(Nazareth was eliminated by Council Rock North, 47-34.)

Boys' Hoops: Allentown Central Catholic Advances to Sweet Sixteen in 5A State Tournament

Allentown Central Catholic is the only District XI team still standing in the state 5A tournament, which started Friday night. While the Vikings defeated Greencastle-Antrim, Bangor came up short against Lampeter-Strasburg.

The 16 teams still standing will square off as indicated on Tuesday night. The numbers I place after each team tells you how they are ranked in 5A by MaxPreps. Allentown Central, for example, is ranked #7.

The championship game will be played in Hershey on Friday, March 23, at 8 pm.

Penncrest 49, Shippensburg 36
Northeastern 69, Sun Valley 60

 Penncrest (#8) v. Northeastern (#10) on Tuesday

Abington Hghts 75, Garden Spot 47
Chester 61, Martin Luther King 47

Abington Hghts (#5) v. Chester (#26) on Tuesday

William Penn 63, Holy Ghost 59
Bonner-Prendergast 56, New Oxford 45

Wm Penn (#24) v. Bonner (#1) on Tuesday

Allentown Central Catholic 69, Greencastle-Antrim 52

Dallas 70, Lower Dauphin 54

Allentown Central Catholic (#7) v.  Dallas (#21) on Tuesday @ Hazelton

Milton Hershey 75, Bayard Rustin 52
Bishop Shanahan 76, Hershey 38

Milton Hershey (#6) v. Bishop Shanahan (#16) on Tuesday

Archbishop Carroll 66, Wissahickon 59
Lampeter-Strasburg 54, Bangor 42

Archbishop Carroll (#2) v. Lampeter-Strasburg (#13) on Tuesday

Highlands 52, Franklin Regional 31
Carrick 53, Hollidaysburg 38

Highlands (#18) v.Carrick (#19)on Tuesday

Mars 68, Hampton 47
Trinity 45, Cathedral Prep 42

Mars (#3) v.Trinity (#15) on Tuesday

HS Hoops: Why Are There So Few Minority Basketball Coaches in District XI?

Toomey Anderson and the "awesome"belt

I've told you before that I'm just a basketball fan. But Toomey Anderson, a former Parkland and Muhlenberg standout, is the Lehigh Valley's Ambassador of Basketball. During this past season, I've seen him everywhere, #alwayswatching. He makes the sport even more fun with great pictures of "celebrities in attendance" and game videos on his LVBR twitter feed. As if that were not enough, he also hosts The Awesome Show to promote the sport. His guestlist has included numerous coaches like Randy Atiyeh, players and the Lehigh Valley Dean of Sportswriting, Keith Groller.

One of the segments on his show is "What's up with Dat?", in which he has been a strong advocate of making high school basketball games something that involves all the students. He wants to see bands in the gym and a wild student section.

But he has another observation, and it's more serious. He notes that of 108 boys and girls teams in District XI, there are only seven minority head coaches. Ed Jennings, who runs the SCBL program, has observed that this exclusion carries over to the referees, too. This is no knock on the many excellent basketball coaches who really look out for their players, like Doug Snyder at William Allen. But as positions open up, there is an overflowing talent pool of minority basketball coaches that deserve consideration.

Morning Call senior sportswriter Keith Groller just highlighted Dr. Shawn Munford, the head coach of the East Stroudsburg South Cavaliers and 6A District XI champs. He grew up in a single-parent home in Philly, and though he at one time played professional basketball, he went on to earn his physics PhD and is now a professor. But he is also a life coach,and not just a basketball coach.

He represents a class of coaches, black and white, who really look out for the kids who play for them.

Boys' Hoops: ESS Cavs Win District XI Gold

I'm just a basketball bum. I have no real knowledge of the game, and only started watching because of my grandson. Over the years, I've fallen in love with it myself. Most people love the SLAM dunk that lands like an indoor THUNDERBOLT. My favorite is the three-point shot that comes out of nowhere. Swish!! But this season, I've learned that while offense draws a crowd, it's defense that wins championships. That's why Allentown Central Catholic High School is the District XI 5A Champ. And it's why the East Stroudsburg South (ESS) Cavaliers can say, as of Monday night, that they are the District XI 6A (big school) champs. They defeated Northampton's Konkrete Kids, 60-50, to claim their first ever gold medals before a packed house at Easton Area Middle School.

Had you asked me about this before the game, I would have given the edge to Northampton. Aidan Elwood and Cory Weisenberger are two of the Lehigh Valley's top scorers, a deadly duo who even nipped Bethlehem Catholic earlier in the regular season. And the Cavs are now down two starters. But after tipoff, ESS scored 12 unanswered points in the first six minutes of the game. By the end of the first quarter, the score was a lop-sided 15-2.

How did this happen? Lightning speed and very tough defense. In the clip above, you can see that Isaiah Watson-Bradley, a 5'7" senior, all over 6'1" Aidan Elwood. It was like that all night. Coach Shawn Munford would also rotate in Devin Lopez, a 5'6" Senior, to keep the pressure on Elwood all night long.

Amazingly, the team with the shortest kids won districts.

What's amazing about this is that Elwood still managed to score 17 points. He just needs a split second to set and shoot.

Had the game been 8 minutes longer, I think Northampton would have rebounded. But it's not.

All is not lost for Northampton. They will still complete in the state tournament.

Boys' Hoops: ACCHS Are District XI 5A Champs

DPRK News Service: Starving American teens eat metal for dinner. 

As the word "Guilty" was resonating over and over in Allentown, I was busy. I was tooling my way along the Blue Mountain, over wet back roads, on my way to Brodheadsville from Upper Mount Bethel. My trusty navigator, who needed no GPS and knows every nook and cranny in the slate belt, was none other than His Eminence, Ron Angle. He just got off Bangor's School Boardin December, where he sometimes comes in from the bench whenever there's a vacancy. We were on our way to see the long awaited meeting between Bangor and Allentown Central Catholic for the District XI 5A title. The chip. I had predicted over the summer that this would happen, and it did. Allentown Central Catholic won the District XI 5A title 52-31 in a game that could have gone either way until the second half.

Ron was obviously rooting for the Slaters, who filled up most of Pleasant Valley's beautiful gym. He sat with his barber, a big Slater fan, while I sat with Dat's sisters. I think everyone from Bangor was there, and expected to see pasties on the menu. Some of the school directors I like to torment were there, but we were in truce mode. Bethlehem DCED Director Alicia Karner brought her very beautiful and athletic daughter (a basketball player and a football player). They were a spirited yet a friendly bunch.

Lousy weather, combined with a trip over the mountain, probably encouraged some Central fans to stay home. Ron told me that people from Allentown and Bethlehem consider every trip over the mountain a foray into the wilderness. And we do. But we still had a boisterous group ready.

Bangor coach Bron Holland came up with a game plan designed to shut down the Vikings' two top scorers, Jay Vaughan and Dat Lambert. He succeeded. But when Dat and Jay had trouble scoring, they were still able to pass the ball to Central's big man in the paint, Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman. He finished the night with a team-high 17 points, along with 7 rebounds, a steal, and 2 mighty blocks.

Sophomore Nick Filchner also had a big night with 16 points on 4 treys and 2 field goals. He also had two assists, 2 rebounds and a steal.

The Baryshnikov of Basketball, Jay Vaughan, may have been held to just five points, but also managed 4 assists and a steal. He is also the team's field genera, and pinned Ben Holland down. Dat Lambert was scoreless in the first half, but managed to snag 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. In the second half, he sunk one trey, a deuce and was three for three from the line, giving him 8 points. Jordan McChristian, who has been on a tear in recent games, scored 4. Chad "the X factor" Kratzer, who has become a fierce defensive warrior, tapped in two.

On both sides, it was a bad night for scoring. So how did Central win?

Defense. Throughout the season, Coach Dennis Csentsis has molded the Vikings into a very strong defensive unit that harasses and frustrates opponents. Big Bernard Jones was still able to hammer in 5 field goals throughout the night, and athletic Tony Jones was everywhere, scoring 9 points. Ben Holland still hit for 3, while Saber Singleton connected on 2 treys. Bo Meyers also connected from downtown and scored 3.

Though we won the game, Bangor is unquestionably one of the best teams we faced all year. I think Bangor could hang any time with the big schools in the East Penn Conference. Tony Jones, Bernard Davis, Ben Holland and the rest of that squad played together and played hard. I'm sure Coach Holland will  have some pointers for his team, but I like the way Bangor plays. I watched them a few times this summer and the boys obviously love the game

Both teams have qualified for the state tournament beginning March 9.

I hope we don't see them again.

Box score, courtesy of Mr.Trinkle.       

Boys Hoops: Becahi, Allentown Central Ranked in Top Ten of Their State Divisions

MaxPreps does basketball ratings nationwide. It even rates how Pennsylvania high schools are ranked within their division. Of course, the top teams will make themselves known in the state tournament that starts next week. Two teams from this area, Bethlehem Catholic (4A) and Allentown Central Catholic (5A) are rated as within the top ten

In 4A, Bethlehem Catholic is ranked #3. The top ten are Imhotep Charter (Philly), Quaker Valley (Leetsdale), Becahi, Berks Catholic (Reading), Sharon, Hickory (Hermitage), Huntingdon, New Castle, Scranton Prep and Danville

Beca will take on #20 ranked Lower Moreland (Huntingdon Valley) for the District XI 4A title on Friday night, 7 pm, at Freedom High School.

In 5A, Allentown Central Catholic is ranked #7. The top ten are Monsignor Bonner (Drexel Hill), Archbishop Carroll (Radnor), Martin Luther King (Philly), Mars, Mastery Charter North - Pickett (Philly), Abington Heights (Clarks Summit), Allentown Central, Lampeter-Strasburg (Lampeter), Milton Hershey (Hershey) and Archbishop Wood (Warminster).

Allentown Central Catholic takes on #30 ranked Bangor High School tonight at Pleasant Valley High School 7 pm. Though Bangor is ranked #30, it is statistically #1.

In 6A, Pocono Mountain West (ranked #49) will square off against upstart Northampton (ranked #36) for the District final on Saturday night.

In 3A, Valley Forge Military (ranked #14) will face Notre Dame Green Pond (ranked #30) on Saturday night, 8 pm, Council Rock South.

In 2A, Moravian Academy (ranked #25) is pitted against #36-ranked Panther Valley (Lansford) on Friday night, 6 pm, at Freedom High School.

Finally, in 1A, no local teams have made it this year to the District XI championship.

The overall state and national ranking for Allentown Central Catholic, Becahi and Northampton are an indication that there are many good teams out there.

Allentown Central Catholic ranked #25 statewide, and #861 nationally.

Becahi ranked #17 statewide, and #643 nationally.

Northampton ranked #97 statewide, and #2980 nationally.

HS Hoops: Beca v. Central Holy War Looms on Friday Night

I never expected this, but come Friday night, there will be a Holy War between Bethlehem Catholic and Allentown Central Catholic. Not just the boys' teams. Not just the girls' teams. Both teams. On the first Friday of Lent, no less. In a double header, The Vikettes will face the Hawkettes at Bethlehem's Liberty gym for the East Penn Conference championship at 6 pm. The Vikings and Hawks will follow at 8 pm.

Both Vikettes and Vikings won their semifinal battles on Wednesday night at Liberty. The Vikettes defeated Freedom, 49-32, while the Central boys squeaked by East Stroudsburg South's Cavaliers, 54-51.

There was nothing cavalier about the way East Stroudsburg South played. They are in many ways a mirror image of Central, relying on a fierce defense and guard-oriented offense. Central Point Guard Jay Vaughan was held to just three points in the first half, but managed to break free and score another 11 in the second. He led the team in scoring with 14. He also had 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Keyshawn "the beast" Kellman is who saved Central. He scored 5 field goals from inside the paint, and grabbed 12 rebounds. Jordan McChristian, Nick Filchner and Chad Kratzer added 7 points apiece.

The person who was bottled up through the night was the team's leading scorer, Dat Lambert. He was guarded the way he likes to guard others and simply was unable to get open. He took just one shot in the first half, and missed. He had just one field goal during limited action in the second half. But as the game was drawing to a close and the Cavaliers threatened, he was put back in action and sealed the victory for the Vikings by going 6-6 in free throws. He ended the night with 8.

These games had to be a welcome relief for the Vaughan family. Daughter Emily and sons Sam and Jay all play for Central. Most of the games were at the same time, meaning they had to divide them up. Anne and Jeff finally had a chance to watch sons and daughter play in back-to-back games.

They will have the same opportunity on Friday night.

Pope Benedict is picking Becahi to win, but Pope Francis is saying Central-2 over the Hawks. Neither is speaking ex cathedra, so you never know.

The Morning Call's Keith Groller has an excellent recap that includes a great interview with Keeshawn Kellman.

Boys Hoops: Playoffs Under Way

Support your favorite team!

Monday: EPC quarter-finals at 7 pm

#8 seed Parkland at #1 seed Becahi.
#5 seed Allen at #4 seed Pocono Mountain West
#6 seed Easton at #3 seed East Stroudsburg South
#7 seed Northampton at #2 seed Allentown Central Catholic

Tuesday: Colonial League playoff games at Catasauqua High School

Southern Lehigh will face #2 seed Moravian Academy at 6 pm.
Wilson High School will face #1 seed Bangor at 7:30 pm. 

Boys Hoops: Central Finishes Season With Tough Win Over Nazareth

"Who Dat" Lambert and Keeshawn "the
beast" Kellman both had career highs

At this time last year, Allentown Central Catholic was fighting for its life. It had already failed to qualify for the league playoffs, and needed to beat Nazareth at Nazareth to be able to limp into districts. The Vikings managed to win that game, on Nazareth's senior night, by a score of 60-57.

This year, those roles were reversed. Nazareth had failed to qualify for the East Penn Conference tournament. It needed a win against Central on Central's Senior night on Thursday to keep its hopes alive for districts. But despite their best efforts, the Blue Eagles came up short.

It was yet another exciting game at a packed Rockne Hall, where the crowds have grown as the season has progressed. When the final buzzer went off, the Vikings were on top, 67-61. Though I feel bad for Nazareth, who played us very hard in a game earlier this year, it was a great way for Central to finish its season at Rockne Hall.

Dat Lambert, who was introduced to sports as a toddler by kids living in Nazareth and played at the Green Street park, will probably remember this game the rest of his life. He scored a career high 25 points, including 5 from beyond the arc. That's five, people.

Swish!
       Swish!
        Swish!
         Swish!
          Swish!

He was also 4/4 from the free throw line.

Sophomore Nick Filchner will probably exceed that total before his high school playing days are over. He sunk 4 from downtown. That's four, people.
Swish!
       Swish!
        Swish!
         Swish!

Nick ended the night with 14. What was remarkable about Nick's effort is that he only missed one shot. Everything else went in the hole.

The Baryshnikov of Basketball

Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman, who was injured at the start of the season, has become the team's He-Man in the paint. He took over when Kevin Kern, a very tough forward, went down a few weeks ago. He has risen to the occasion, and has become the backbone of this team as he jealously guards from under the boards. From above the rim. he can bring a THUNDEROUS dunk, while blocking the attempts of his opponents.

Then there's Senior Point Guard Jay Vaughan, who glides across the court with the grace of a ballet dancer. The Baryshnikov of Basketball scored 9 points, including a three. What is special about him is his ability to find the person in best position to make the shot. He had 8 assists, which is the norm for him. He also is a formidable defender who can strip a ball and score before his opponent knows his pocket has been picked.

Nazareth's Blue Eagles were just as dangerous as they were earlier this year. Three players - Maihan Ramin, Jahan Dotson and Noah Briggs - finished the night in double digits.

McCrush

Central has finished its season to head into playoffs with 19 wins and 3 losses. Part of the reason for that is its very tough defense, combined with its ability to shoot 3s. Tonight, for example, the team hit 10 of them. But what makes this team special is its chemistry. These guys look out for each other, care about each other and pick each other up. And any one of them can come out of nowhere and light things up. Jordan "McCrush" McChristian, for example, was high scorer in the two previous games. Chad "the X-factor" Kratzer has also bailed the team out in several contests.

Central will host the Easton Red Rovers in the East Penn Conference quarter-finals on Monday night.This will be the first meeting of these two teams. Easton is a well-coached and young team that everyone had counted out. They might have more raw talent than any other team.

Parkland will visit Beca. Yes, the Trojans made it to the playoffs, even though the team is in re-building mode. They keep getting better with every game.

Northampton, which had been ranked #1, has had a series of recent losses and will visit East Stroudsburg South  They may have peaked too soon.

The final quarter final game is between Pocono Mountain West and William Allen. I believe (but am not sure) that Allen will host the game.. According to Keith Groller, Pocono Mountain West will host Allen.

Box Score

ACCHS - 67, Nazareth - 61

Nazareth - 9-23-38-61

Central Catholic -16-26-46-67

Nazareth (61)

Maihan Ramin: 6FGs, 2/3 FTs -14
Anthony Harris: 2FGs - 4
Jahan Dotson: 4 FGs, 1 3FG, 3/4 FTs -14
Nick Clark: 1 FG, 1 3FG - 5
Alex Houchin: 1 FG, 1/2 FTs - 3
Mason Wickmann: 1 FG, 4/4 FTs - 6
Noah Briggs: 2 FG, 3 3FGs - 13
Jarred Bachik: 2/4 FTs - 2

Central Catholic (67)

Jay Vaughan: 1/1 3FG, 3/3 FG, 1 steals, 8 assists - 9
Keeshawn Kellman: 7/11 FGs, 3/4 FTs, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks -17
Jordan McChristian: 1/3 FGs, 0/3 3FGs, 0/1 FTs, 1 assists, 2 rebound, - 2
Dat Lambert: 5/8 3FG, 3/3 FG, 4/4 FTs, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 rebound - 25
Nick Filchner: 4/5 3FG, 1/2 FG, 4 assists, 2 rebounds.- 14.

Blogger's Note: You can see scores from other local schools on my left sidebar. 

Boys Hoops: Allentown Central Catholic Picks Up 18th Win Against Stroudsburg

With just one game to go in the regular season, Allentown Central Catholic now has 18 victories and 3 losses. Monday night's win came courtesy of the Stroudsburg Mountaineers (7-13), who are in rebuilding mode this year

It was supposed to be an easy victory, but somebody forgot to tell Stroudsburg. The score was tied at the end of the first quarter, 11-11, and still tied at the half, 21-21.

Vikings had no problem during warm-up, but they only shot 30% in the first half.

That changed as the second half got underway. Central built up a small lead and spent most of the fourth quarter protecting it.

Jordan "McCrush" McChristian was top Viking scorer with 15. Leading the way foir the Mountaineers was Saveon Jackson, with 16.

Central returns to Rockne and will host Nazareth on Wednesday night. Nazareth lost to Emmaus on Monday night, 58-53, and may as a result be denied a spot in the East Penn Conference championship.

Box Score

ACCHS - 55, Stroudsburg - 42

Central Catholic - 11-21-44-55
Stroudsburg - 11-21-35-42

Stroudsburg (42)

Nyshan Sadler: 1FG - 2
Saveon Jackson: 7 FG, 2/3 FT - 16
Marcin Ogrodniczuk: 1 FG - 2
Edwin Ferreras: 1 FG, 2/4 FT - 4
Colin Brady: 5 FG, 4/5 FT - 14
Del'Ron Card: 2/2 FT -2
Na'iln Kettrles: 1 FG -2

Central Catholic (55)

Jay Vaughan: 3/5 FG, 1/3 3FG, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals - p
Keeshawn Kellman: 3/5 FG, 0/1 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 block,
Jordan McChristian: 3/4 3FG, 3/5 FGs, 1/2 FTs, 1 assists, 4 rebound, 1 steal - 15
Dat Lambert: 3/6 FG, 1/3 3FG, 4/4 FTs, 2 steals, 2 assists - 13
Nick Filchner: 2/3 3FG, 1/1 FG, 2 assists, 2 rebounds.- 8.


Blogger's Note: You can see scores from other local schools on my left sidebar.

ACCHS Vikings Defeat Emmaus 56-44

A balanced offense and stingy defense combined to give Allentown Central Catholic their 16th victory of the season against a young Whitehall (5-13) team on Tuesday night at Rockne Hall. Would that same strategy work inside a loud and angry hornets' nest in Emmaus? Why, Yes! On Friday night, before a packed house at Emmaus' abnormally tiny gym, the Vikings conquered in a low-scoring game, 56-44. It is the second time this season that Central defeated Emmaus.

Jordan McChristian was top scorer for the Vikings with 16 points, including four from downtown. But what won this game was Jay Vaughan's masterful ballet as point guard. With grace, he'd streak across the court with an uncanny ability to spot the open player. He finished the night with 9 assists.

When Emmaus least expected it, the Baryshnikov of Basketball would just stop and shoot.

Swish!

Emmaus would hear that swish 11 times before the night was over. But they are fighters who even wear camouflage warm-up suits. I do think Coach Yoder took things a bit too far tonight when he came out with war paint on his face. Senior forward Zach Sabol, a very pleasant young man who always displays the best sportsmanship, delivered the most stings for the Hornets with 18.

My favorite play of the night was close to the end of the game. Keeshawn "the beast" Kelman, who had 9 rebounds, was fighting for the ball, and come down with it, but landed on his backside. From the floor, he managed to pass the ball to Jordan McChristian. He was waiting conveniently by the rim and tapped it in.

Central's record is 17-3 with two games left.

Central will travel to Stroudsburg on Monday. Emmaus will visit Nazareth, which had a big win stunning Northampton on Friday night, 71-53.

Box Score

ACCHS - 56, Emmaus - 44

Central Catholic - 22-33-42-56
Emmaus - 9-20-30-44

Central Catholic (56)

Jay Vaughan: 3/6 3FG, 1/1 FG, 9 assists, 3 rebounds - 8
Keeshawn Kellman: 3/6 FG, 9 rebounds,1 block, 1 assist
Jordan McChristian: 4/7 3FG, 2/2 FGs, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal - 16
Dat Lambert: 2/5 3FG, 1/5 FG, 4/5 FTs, 2 steals, 2 rebound - 12
Nick Filchner: 2/3 3FG, 1/1 FG, 3/4 FTs, 2 assists.- 11.
Sam Vaughan: 1/2 3FG - 3.

Emmaus (44)

Josh Artis: 4 FG, 1/2 FT - 9.
Bryce Diehl: 2/4 FTs - 2.
Cameron Brooks: 2 3FG - 6.
Mark Swedberg: 1 FG - 2.
Danny Bohman: 1 3FG, 1 FG -5.
Cole Ferguson: 1 FG - 2.
Zach Sabol: 7 FG, 4/7 FTs - 18.

Blogger's Note: You can see scores from other local schools on my left sidebar.

Boys' Hoops: Allentown Central Catholic Tops Whitehall

A balanced offense and stingy defense combined to give Allentown Central Catholic their 16th victory of the season against a young Whitehall (5-13) team on Tuesday night at Rockne Hall. The final score was 60-45. The Zephyrs played hard all night long and actually won the 3rd quarter. But fortunately for the Vikings, not by enough.

Jay Vaughn and Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman tied as top scorers with 13 points each. Whitehall's top scorer, Ethan Parvel, had 10. Dylan McGinley had 9.

Central will travel to Emmaus on Friday.

Box Score

ACCHS - 60, Whitehall - 45

Whitehall - 12-36-36-45

Central Catholic - 20-39-47-60

Whitehall (45)

Ricky Melosky: 1 FG - 2
Kevin Virgo: 1 3FG, 2/2 FTs - 5
Ethan Parvel: 2 3FG, 2 FG - 10
Namirr Boatwright:  3 FG, 0/1 FTs - 6
Joe Herman: 1 3FG, 1 FG - 5
Dylan McGinley: 3 FG, 3/6 FTs - 9
Markes Cruz: 1 FG - 2
Tyler Holubowski: 2 FG, 1/3 FTs - 5.

Central Catholic (60)

Jay Vaughan: 3/6 3FG, 2/3 FG, 3 steals, 7 assists -13
Keeshawn Kellman: 4/10 FG, 5/8 FTs, 11 rebounds -13
Jordan McChristian: 1/3 3FG, 4/5 FGs, 2 assists,1 rebound,1 steal -11
Dat Lambert: 0/2 3FG, 3/5 FG, 4/5 FTs, 6 assists, 3 steals,1 rebound - 10
Nick Filchner: 2/2 3FG, 1/3 FG, 4 assists.- 8.
Sam Vaughan: 1/2 3FG, 1/2 FG, 1 steal - 5.

Blogger's Note: You can see scores from other local schools on my left sidebar.   

Moravian Victory Over Notre Dame ES Included Atiyeh 3-Point Buzzer Beater

Most of my stories about this year's basketball season have been about the East Penn Conference, and more specifically, Allentown Central Catholic High School. But there's lots of good basketball going in other leagues and at other schools. On Saturday, Moravian Academy's Roaring Lions were hosted by Notre Dame East Stroudsburg's Spartans. Moravian won by one point, 65-64, in just one of several thrilling games over the weekend.

The game includes a 3-point buzzer beater to end the third quarter by Moravian sophomore Abe Atiyeh. He was well beyond half court when he took his shot.

Moravian (12-5), gave Bangor a scare earlier this year. They lost the contest 80-69, but were up at the half.

Lehigh Valley Basketball Rankings' Toomey Anderson is perhaps the biggest promoter of high school basketball in the Lehigh Valley. He promotes the sport, and more importantly, the kids who play. This should be a highlight on his next Awesome Show. #alwayswatching.

Boys Hoops: ACCHS Relies on 3-Pointer to Beat Parkland 64-52

Allentown Central Catholic High School has recently lost two starters. Senior forward Kevin Kern went down with an ankle injury in practice a few weeks ago. Then on Monday night, explosive junior guard Chad Kratzer may have torn a ligament when he stepped on a loose basketball. Just as the Eagles have applied the next man up philosophy with its team, Central seems to be doing the same thing, with similar results.

Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman, coming in for Kern, scored 20 points a few nights ago. Jordan McChristian, coming in for Kratzer, can light up the scoreboard as well. But Tuesday night belonged to sophomore Nick Filchner. He put on a 3-point clinic in the first half against the Parkland Trojans at a crowded Rockne Hall. He was 7 for 7 from downtown.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

He rolled up an amazing 21 points as Central (15-2) managed to stop a surging Parkland (8-8) for the second time this season by a final score of 64-52.

Nick was scoreless in the second half, prompting me to tease him later that he laid off so other kids could score.

Maybe he did!

I also scolded Kratzer for sitting the game out because he still has one good leg.

In addition to Filchner's 3-point clinic, Jay Vaughan (14 points, 2 3FG) and Dat Lambert (16 points, 2 3FG) added four more from downtown. This gave Central 11 3-point shots for the night.

They are tough to beat when that happens.

McChristian scored eight points on four lay-ups in the second half.

Keeshawn Kellman finished with five, but his real strength was under the boards, grabbing at least 16 rebounds!

That's 16, damn it!

I'd love to tell you how Jake Bartholomew and Logan Rindock from Parkland did, but I neglected to photograph the scorekeeper's book and do not see the boxscores in the dailies. I apologize to any readers from Parkland. They played hard and I am sure they will qualify for playoffs. Parkland is always tough.

Central's next game is a Holy War on Friday night at Bethlehem Catholic. Both teams have clinched playoff spots. Both teams have only two losses apiece all season. But those records go out the window. They will be playing for pride.

Blogger's Note: Other scores from around the area are on my left sidebar. I write up these games if I see no reporter.The video is the opening seconds of the game, in which Dat Lambert scores a 3 on an assist from Keeshawn "the beast"Kellman.

Allentown Central Catholic Boys Varsity Basketball Back on Track

Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman
with Dat Lambert

After two losses in a row, Allentown Central Catholic Boys Varsity Basketball is back on track after a convincing 72-55 victory over the East Stroudsburg North Timberwolves on Friday night at Rockne Hall  The Vikings' record now stands at 14-2. Despite winning the District XI title last year, that was then. The Timberwolves have struggled this season.

Central Catholic's slide began last Saturday, when they allowed themselves to be rattled by Dieruff. They always plays tough on their home turf. Then Vikings starting forward Kevin Kern suffered an injury to his foot, and the team began questioning themselves. They played without confidence against Northampton's Konkrete Kids on Thursday night, hesitating instead of shooting. It cost them the game.

On Friday, it looked as though the Vikings might face their third loss in a row. They were only up by one going into the half  despite the heroics of Keeshawn "the beast" Kellman. He scored 14 points in the first half alone, and I lost track of his rebounds. He also had several blocks, and after one of them, shook his head No.

He was in beast mode, and appears to have recovered completely from a back injury that had sidelined him a few weeks. Without him, Central would be in trouble.

Then, in the third quarter, Jay Vaughan exploded. Three from downtown. Swish!! Just the jump start everyone needed. Jay finished the night with 12, all from beyond the arc. More importantly, he had 8 assists and 2 steals.

Kellman added 3 field goals to his 14 points in the first, and finished as high scorer with 20. He thrilled the crowd when he dunked his final bucket.

Dat Lambert returned to his scoring ways. He finished the night with 14, including two 3s. He was 4/4 on the foul line, and his aggressive defense caused four turnovers by East Stroudsburg North.   

Nick Filchner scored 10, including two 3-point shots.

Chad Kratzer finished with 7, including 3 out of 4 from the foul line

Vinnie Lynch, a crowd favorite, scored 6, and delighted the crowd with an unexpected tray

So did Sammy "the iceman" Vaughan, Jay's brother.

Central shot ten from downtown for the night.

On the other side of the equation, ESN's Ameni Mills was high scorer with 20, followed by Isa Abu, who had 11.

Central will host surging Parkland on Tuesday night at Rockne Hall, then it's off to face Evil Empire Becahi on Friday night in a Holy War that will ripple throughout the EPC.

Central was stunned by Northampton on Thursday night. On Friday night, Northampton also upset Becahi by one point. Aiden Elwood has cemented the Konkrete Kids into a formidable team, and don't count Parkland, Whitehall or any of these teams out.