Page 8 — LION’SEYE — Hoopmen Reign As Southern Division Champions for '90 ~ Delco’s Hoopmen recently wrapped up their season as Southern Division Cham- pions in the PSU Commonwealth Cam- pus Conference with a 7-3 record. Unfor- tunately, they then suffered a close 68-66 loss to PSU Berks, cutting short their shot at the Conference title in the final play-offs at University Park. Still, it was truly an outstanding season with an 18-8 record overall. That matches last season’s record high wins and puts the Delco Lions on a roll of good seasons. Co-captain John Spych credits ‘‘the good freshman contribution” for much of the team’s success. “We couldn’t have done it without them,’’ he acknowl: edged, noting that Delco should have an even better season next year. Freshman Dave Fisher returned the compliment, praising ‘‘the starting sophomores who gave the freshmen a lot of encouragement that helped make a good team.’ \ The sophomores included Spych, high- : scorer Scott Scoffone (averaging 17 points a game), and Kurt Ruch as for- wards, Co-captain Jeff DellaFranco as shooting guard, and Steve McDaniel at center. The beginning line-up Also | in- cluded freshmen Tim Ryan at point guard and Scott Smith at center. Smith and Spych were high scorers also, averaging 12 and 15 points a game respectively. Backing them up were freshmen point guards Chris Litwinko and Joe Renzi, guard/forwards Andy Smerigan and Burt Socha (“one of the most spirited guys on the bench”), shooting guards Dave Fisher and John Kealey, and forward Troy Spencer. Kealey feels the team was not working well together until the infamous PSU Hazleton game which ended in a bench- clearing brawl. Despite losing the game under unpleasant circumstances, he thinks the game was a turning point. “Before that our attitude stunk,” Kealey said. “We were too competitive among ourselves. But the fight brought us together as a team; it showed we would stand up for each other.” Apparently so, because the team went ‘on to a seven-game winning streak following the Hazleton loss, including the highest-scoring game of the season: 89 points against PSU DeBois. Men's Basketball Team: (front row) Scott Scoffone, Jeff DellaFranco, Joe Guin- ta, John Spych, Burt Sucha; (2nd row) John Kealey, Kurt Ruch, Tim Bayer, Andy Smerigan; (3rd row) Coach Bill Wiley, Chris Litwinko, Scott Smith, Dave Fisher, Joe Renzi. Photo by: MARY MATUS March, 1990 Delco H oopmen storm the basket i in i Connarwealth Conterente same. Kealey noted that a lot of credit must go to Assistant Coach Tosti, who was “one of the most personable coaches I've ever had, a great person to talk to.” And all the team members acknowledge the special support they got from the men’s volleyball team and the women’s basketball team. “They were always there at the games, cheer- ing for us. We really want to thank them.” Looking ahead to next year, Spveh en- courages current freshmen to consider Photo by: PATRICK KIM going out for the team. ‘“‘Kurt Ruch and Scott Scoffone came out hesitantly this season with very little experience behind them, and they turned out to be two of our most valuable players. We are star- ting to build a strong program here thanks to Coach Bill Wiley. He's a great coach who knows all the basics.” The idea is to keep the team’s roll of winning seasons going next year, and with nine men returning that’s a real possibility. Men's Volleyball Posts Winning Record Delco’s men’s volleyball team has completed the first month of their spr- ing season in a tough new league with a 3-2 record. Wins were against Spring Garden College (3-1), Cabrini (3-1), and Temple (3-0). One loss was to Eastern College, one of the top four teams in the twelve- school league. The other loss, to Nor- theastern, was a ‘‘depressing’’ one, ac- cording to team member Steve Taylor. “We won the first two games, then lost the next three.” Coach Robert Saba agrees that it should have been a win for Delco. “We felt the first month of the season would Lady Lions Finish Second Season With Much-Improved 4-0 Record Delco Lady Lions charge their PSU Conference opponents and take a shot. Photo by: MARY MATUS I'm sad to leave, now that it’s over,” signed sophomore guard Alissa Urick, reflecting on the recently completed women’s basketball season at Delco. “Our 4-10 Commonwealth Campus Con- ference record was a big improvement over last season when we didn’t win any games.” “It was worse when we lost a game this year compared to. last year,’ sophomore forward Sandy Kulesa add- ed, “because we're so much better now and know we can win. Our overtime losses to Northhampton and Ogontz were especially tough.” Worst of all, though, was the loss to PSU Schuylkill in the last league game of the season because winning would have meant making the playoffs. Both the lady hoopsters agreed that the teams best game was the season opener against Delaware County Com- munity College, in which PSU Delco held their opponents to just 2 points the entire first half and went on to win the game. bad,” Alissa explained, ‘‘because they had beaten us by forty-plus points last year.” Starting at point guard this year was sophomore Dale Robbins, backed up by soph Maria pardini. Sophomore Chrissy Pierangeli started at guard with Alissa Urick backing her up. Center starter was freshman Tina Painton, while freshman Anne Marie Stanley started as a forward with help from Sandy Kulesa. Starting at forward/guard were freshmen Mary Varano and Gina McDowell with mid- game support from sophomore Monica Whayland. Although over half of this year’s team “We wanted to beat them so members were sophomores, three of the four freshmen players were starters and all will presumably be returning next year. “Next year’s team should really be good,” predicted Sandy. ‘‘The returnees will have a lot of experience trom this season and from their high school teams.” So next year, only the third season for women’s basketball at Delco, could be a championship season. RR be against the easier teams. Now we have the much better teams to play. They will be a challenge to us because most of them are four-year schools with juniors and seniors on their teams. And those that are ‘‘clubs’’ rather than varsi- ty teams like us have all the advantages of school financial support but don’t have to abide by the eligibility rules that we do. “For instance, Eastern had two out- standing players, both of whom were carrying less than 12 credits. But our men have to be full time and meet stiff eligibility standards. Our potentially best player, Dan Fisher, isn’t eligible to play now. We've had to replace him with two men who are new to the sport.” Another advantage that many of the teams in the tough Atlantic Men’s In- vitational Volleyball (AMIV) League have is the international students play- ing on their team. These men often have skills far beyond most American players. The league’s hardest to beat teams are from the University of Delaware, Villanova, Swarthmore, and Eastern, most of whom have year-round “programs. “But our goal,” said Coach Saba, to win the Penn State tournaments. It would be nice to win the league title, but that is probably an impossibility. “All our games are at home, and we've had a good turnout in the stands so far. We really appreciate that,” coach. added the a SRY Lady Lions: (front row) Alissa Wrick, Sandy Kulesa, Chrissy Pierangli, Monica Whayland, Dale Robbins; (2nd row) Yvette Harris, (manager), Gini McDowell, Maria Pardini, Anne Marie Stanley, Mary Verano; (3rd row) Stephen Scaperotto {manager vr), Bridget Bensbetler (coach), Tina Painton, Kitty Jones (asst. coach). Photo by: MARY MATUS
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