3 N “ 0) 3 . . A ¢ ° 1! > Section 2 Wednesday, December 13 1995 The Dallas Post Sports\Week Bl School news HB Classified HB Calendar > ~ Knights play tough pre-season to tune up They have height, but not experience By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer Lake-Lehman basketball coach Rodger Bearde has proved count- less times over the years his abil- ity to teach young players the game of basketball and how to execute a game plan. The Black Knights mentor has also demon- strated coaching is much more than “x's” and “o's” and will do so once again this year. His top priority this December was to ‘devise a way to prepare the squad 5 6 for January and February. The Lake-Lehman boys lost four starters from a season ago and will be a young team in a tough division. There's some talent and size on this roster, however, and Bearde wants his troops ready for divisional play. In order to be ready the Knights have scheduled a grueling exhibition schedule. They're not looking to win games during the pre-season, but to build character and improve on the court. “We play a brutal exhibition schedule,” Bearde said. “That will help our conference play, although sometimes the kids get down by losing, but we Just have to keep Head coach: Rodger Bearde Assistant: Clarence Ozgo Varsity roster: 10 ’94-°95 record: 10-14 their attitude up. Meyers and G.A.R are both powerful. If we're going to win, we're going to have to beat them.” Meyers and G.A.R may be the favorites in Division 2 of the Wyoming Valley Conference, but Lehman will cause the smaller teams some fits. The Knights roster doesn’t have outstanding size, but the overall height is there. At 6 feet even, off-guara George Frank is the smallest member of the starting unit. 6'3" John Oliver runs the offense from the point guard position and will supply the bulk of Lehman's scoring. The three sport athlete missed his entire junior year after injuring his foot late in the football season last autumn. “We should rebound well,” Bearde said. “The overall size is there and we should be fairly dominant in that department.” Angelo DeCesaris, a senior and the only returning starter from a year ago, will start at one forward RODGER BEARDE position. Jetf Castellano will be at "the other. He saw limited action in '94-'95. Dave Milunic was a force for the junior varsity last season and gets the nod as the Knights’ starting center. The Lehman coaches are impressed by his jumping ability and court presence. The inside game will have to be tough, since the Knights shooting is suspect at this point in the season. With so many tall play- ers, ball handling becomes a prob- lem. Bearde is already working on that dilemma. See KNIGHTS, pg. 12 High school boys’ basketball preview Mounts plan to set fast pace No match in big men, but plenty of speed and skill By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer You can tell by the tone of Paul Brown's voice. He's excited about the current edition of his Dallas Mountaineers basketball team and the prospects for the upcom- ing season. The Mountaineers finished strong in the Wyoming Valley Conference last year by putting together a 5-3 second half record in Division 2. They earned a District 2, Class AAA playoffberth for their late season surge. Dallas returns a strong nucleus of boys who have been among the top seven players on the team since their sophomore season. So far, coach Brown likes what has seen in the pre-season. “Every year it seems it takes until February for us to get going,” Brown said. “We have to build upon the exhibition season. Last year we shot 19 percent from the floor in the month of December. We have got tc do better this year.” Things have been looking up in the early going. Dallas is shooting 35 percent after a handful of exhibition games. Unfortunately, the highly successful Mountain- eer football program has hurt the progress of the basketball squad- ron the past couple of winters. Head coach: Paul Brown Assistant: Joe Ellis Players out: 19 "94-95 record: 10-15, qualified for District 2, Class AAA playoffs This year the gridiron boys were eliminated at the hands of Dun- more in a District 2 semi-final contest just two days before the official starting date for winter sports practice. Brown figures guys like Ted Jackson, Mark Kaschenbach, Connor Ennis and Frank Valvano will develop their basketball hands, legs and feet at ! a much quicker rate now. If Dallas hopes to make a run at the Division 2 crown during the regular season they may have to rely on improved shooting and a fast-paced running game. They may come up a little short in the rebounding department. “We have no real big men to play with some of the other team’s big men,” said Brown. A couple of 62" players, J.P. Cosgrove and Kaschenbach, will have to get the job done inside. Cosgrove scored 10.3 points per game as a starter last season while Kaschenbach netted 8.8 during ‘his sophomore season at Wyo- ming Seminary. For now they'll be joined in the front court by Jackson who ran the offense from his guard position a season ago. Jackson led the team in scoring as a junior with 13.4 points per game and was named first team all-scholastic. - “Ted is playing even better than he did in the past,” said Brown. “He's already had a couple of 20 point games for us.” The biggest surprise has been the emergence of Jay Smith. The freshman earned himself a start- ing position in the Mount back court. He'll be joined by brother Steve or Ennis, both of whom are seniors. Rich Klick, another starter from a season ago, began practicing this week and should be able to help out the team shortly after Christmas. Klick, a senior, suf- fered a broken leg while playing for the Dallas football team dur- ing the season opener. He scored nine points a game on the hard- woods in '94-'95. Other players that expect to see plenty of playing time include Shaun Volgelgesang and Frank Valvano. Volgelgesang is a for- ward capable of spelling Kasch- See MOUNTS S94 12 0 ‘Reilly ly must recover from grad losses, local players lead Sem By LEN KRYESKI Sports Writer The Bishop O'Reilly boys’ bas- ketball players will have a new coach for the '95-'96 season. Dave Mattes takes over the reins for Abe Simon. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Last year O'Reilly posted a 16- 44 0 mark in Division 3 of the Wyo- & ming Valley Conference and went on to win the District 2, Class A championship. The Queensmen lost three outstanding players to graduation, including Mike Makalusky the league's Most Valuable Player, but return Division 3's two most pro- lific scorers from a season ago. Senior center John Hogan tossed in 16.5 points per game last sea- son. Classmate Eric Straub, a forward, was right behind with 15.1 per contest. They'll lead the attack this year along with Tom Stambaugh, Aaron Derby and Tom Federici. “We have four players with good offensive capabilities,” Mattes said. “We also have nice size, but we lost some leadership and three outstanding defensive players.” Lack of defense has hurt the Queensmen thus far in the pre- season. The road to the playoffs BISHOP O'REILLY Head coach: Dave Mattes Assistant: Keith Keiper Boys out: 24 '94-'95 record: 25-3. First half, second half and overall champions of Division 3, WVC District 2, Class A Champions won't be quite so easy this year, either. O'Reilly doesn't figure to be able to dominate opponents from Division 2, this around and the exhibition schedule is very difficult. They should still make a run at the Division 3 title. “Northwest is returning a whole lot of players and a lot of teams will be gunning for us, but we'll be right up there,” said Mattes. The: O'Reilly leader hopes to make the playoffs and peak in time to win districts. Another district championship would ensure a third consecutive trip to states. Back Mountain players who figure to see playing time include Dave Suchocki, Dan Paley and Chris Lohin. Bill Kingsberry, Michael Charney and Mike Fen- erelli will display their talents for the junior varsity squad. Baseball clinic slated Lake-Lehman High School head coach Chip Sorber and his staff will present a baseball clinic Dec. 27, 1-4 p.m. at Lake-Lehman High School gym. ' Emphasis will be on pitching, hitting and strength training, with two age groups: Little League, age 12 and under and a high school or future high school players group. Main hitting instructor is Earl Wallace, former All-Conference player from Mansfield University. Earl was the #4 hitter for Mans- field in 1992, the year Mansfield finished second at the Division II College World Series. After col- lege Earl played professional baseball for the Portsmouth Ex- plorers in the Pioneer League. He currently lives and teaches in Virginia Beach. Other instructors include Don | ~at Lake-Lehman Dec. 27 Spencer, pitching coach at Lake- Lehman High School, and former M.V.P. at the Penn State Wilkes- Barre Campus; Jason Cadwal- ader, former catcher and power hitter at Wilkes University and present Hitting Coach at Lake- Lehman High School; Bill Woronko, Lake-Lehman junior high coach, outstanding youth coach record. Coach Sorber and his staff will explain and demonstrate the most recent techniques used by Divi- sion I and pro players. Cost of clinic is $10 if preregis- tered. Make checks payable to Chip Sorber and mail to: Chip Sorber, 20 Maple Tree Road, Dal- las, Pa 18612. Cost of Clinic is $15 if not preregistered, sign in day of clinic. Any questions call 477-2303. Wyoming Seminary The Blue Knights of Wyoming Seminary haven'thad it easy thus far in the exhibition season. Gary Vanderburg's team has been plagued by illness as well as an injury to point guard Joe Ellman. Ellman was named first team all- scholastic after averaging 14.1 points per game last season. The third leading scorer in Division 3 of the Wyoming Valley Conference was also one of the most exciting players to watch. Look for Seminary to improve im- mensely upon his return. The strength of the Blue Knights lies in the leadership and playing ability of their tri-captains. In that role, Ellman is joined by Doug Bruno and Carlo Santarelli of the Back Mountain. “Carlo is a very aggressive player,” said Vanderburg. “He will score points for us, he plays adequate defense and leads by example.” Another Back Mountain player slated to see extensive duty as a backup guard is Bruce Gover. Gover, a sophomore, lives within the confines of the Lake-Lehman school district and is a good 3- point shooter. Look for Justin Kazmierski, Steve Krugar and Joel Barros to WYOMING SEMINARY Head coach: Gary Vanderburg Assistant: Andrew Barilla Boys out: 29 ‘94-'95 record: 15-11 play a lot as well. Barros has shown marked improvement for his senior season. At 6' even he plays a strong inside game. Size is one area where Seminary doesn't quite measure up. “Our main weakness is the lack of a consistent, mature big man,” Vanderburg said. “We have under- classmen with size -they're going to have to play - but we could be more physical.” Vanderburg, one of the most respected coaches among his peers, sees Bishop O'Reilly and Northwest as the teams to beat in division three. “Our goal is the same every year,” Vanderburg said, “and that is to be better than the year be- fore.” West Side Tech West Side Tech returns just Dave O'Kane and Brian Zurawski from last year's starting line-up, but a cadre lettermen will be back on the hardwood for Ray McNulty this winter. SPORTS SHORTS Sports memorabilia sale at Gate of Heaven A Sports Memorabilia Fundraiser will be held Dec. 16, 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Gate of Heaven gym, Machell Ave., Dallas. Featured will be a 1962 Mickey Mantle card, value $500; a Harmon Killebrew auto- graphed ball, pennants and cards. For more information call Russ Cusco, 696-2933. Gover set records at Sem Wyoming Seminary’s football program featured an area standout player who has made his way into the school's record books. Starting quarterback Bruce Gover of Dallas just completed his sophomore year with a bang; his season total passing yards (1131) were the third-highest in Sem's history. Gover, completing 109 of 199 passes (a completion rate of 54.7 percent), had eight touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. Despite the Blue Knights’ 0-8 record, Gover is a bright hope for the team’s future, says head coach Matt DiBeranrdo. Crossin tourney Dec. 27-29 The 14th annual Dr. Robert P. Crossin Memorial Basketball Tourna- ment will be held on December 27 and 29 at the Wyoming Valley West High School gymnasium. The Lake-Lehman Knights will play the Montrose Meteors, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. At 8:30 p.m. the host Spartans will play the Dallas Mountaineers. Winners of the preliminary contest will play Dec. 29 at 8:15 p.m. for the championship, preceded by the Consolation Game at 6:30 p.m. A 2 “We have our biggest turnout (24 players), in years,” McNulty said. “I'm pleased, and we also have 10 returning lettermen. We want to try and build on that.” With Jerry Long and Brian Berry leading the way, the Titans have some good outside shooting, but will feature a balanced scor- ing attack. The attitude is fine as the players are all getting along and for the first time in a while, West Side Tech has some depth. Todd Montigney and Tim Wallace will also log plenty of minutes. Size will be a major problem. Tech doesn’t start anyone over WEST SIDE TECH Head coach: Ray McNulty Assistant: Tony Chiarucci Boys out: 24 '94-'95 record: 3-20 6'2" and the tallest player is a 6'4" freshman with no varsity experi- ence. “We're hoping to get better as a team and our attitude is one hundred percent better than last year,” McNulty said. “I'm pleased with the effort of these kids.” Dallas assistant football and junior high softball coach Tony Chiarucci will assist McNulty. Magic, Sixers unbeaten In the opener, the Trailblazers held off a fourth quarter surge by the Bulls to narrowly defeat the Bulls 42-41. From the opening tip off each team traded baskets. Halftime score was Trailblazers 22, Bulls 19. Trailing 32-27, going into the fourth quarter the Bulls turned up the heat, and outscored the Trialblazers 14-10 in the final stanza, however it wasn't enough to get by the Trailblazers. The Trailblazers had a well-balanced scoring attack from Tom Byron with 12 points, followed by Dan Laurenzi with 10 and Chad Woolbert with 8 points. Chris Wilt and Mike Barlow had a good de- fensive game. Trailblazers Woolbert and Barlow had 11 and 6 rebounds respectively. For the Bulls offensively it was all Mike Regan who had a game high 30 points, followed by Randy Knappman and Vito Recchia with 4 points apiece. Nate Hoffman, Knappman and Recchia had a fine defensive game controlling the boards for the Bulls. Game two, saw the Magic using a well balanced scoring attack to beat a scrappy Hornets team 39- 32. The Magic led after the first quarter 14-6. In the second quar- ter it was much the same for the Magic commanding a 25-10 halftime lead. However, the Hor- nets didn't quit, they came out at the start of the third quarter all fired up and when the quarter ended the Hornets outscored the Magic 14-6 to cut the Magic's lead to 31-24. Each team traded bas- kets in the final quarter, giving the Magic the win. Magic's offense Standing Third Week Won Lost Magic 3 0 (STAR Therapy and Rehab.) Sixers 3 0 (Dallas Rotary) Celtics 2 1 (R.N. Fitch Heat 1 2 (Quality Collision) Hornets 1. 2 (Franklin First Bank) Trialblazers 1 2 (The Fieldhouse) Warriors 1 2 (Sneaker King) Bulls 0 3 (Intermetro Ind.) was led by Ryan Sorber with 17 points, followed by Mike Domzal- ski with 8 points and Dave Martin and Brian Barrett with 6 and 5 respectively. Barrett had 14 re- bounds and Domzalski had 6 blocked shots for the Magic. The Hornet offense was led by Dan Fauerbach with 10 points, fol- lowed by Jeff Zaruta with 8 points, and Pat Velde, John Nackley, and Kevin Radzawich with 4 points apiece. Velde had 7 rebounds for the Hornets. The Sixers used a strong de- fense throughout the game to defeat the Heat 52-19. The Sixers led 13-4 after the first quarter, and put the game out of reach by the end of the second quarter by leading 26-6 at halftime. The Heat was too small for the much taller See YOUTH BALL, pg 12
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