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~The Dallas Post
-SportsWeek
By LEN KRYESKI
Sports Writer
HAZLETON - The five individual
district titles won by Lake-Lehman
wrestlers were out of this world,
but in order to wrestle for the
Knights, you must never forget
rule number one. Wrestling is a
team sport and the team comes
first.
“We really focused on the semi-
finals this year,” said Lehman co-
coach Phil Lipski. “The team pre-
pared like this was a dual meet
and they perfected it to a ‘t"."
Lehman dominated the ever
important semi-final round dur-
ing this past weekend's district
competition by winning eight of
10 matches. Of the eight Black
Knights in the finals, Matt
Raczkowski, Bill Breha, Eric
Maciejczak, Brian Butler and Mike
Pitcavage, managed to bring home
a District 2, Class AA gold medal.
The Black Knights also came
home with the prize they coveted
most - the district trophy. By
outdistancing Meyers 252 - 215
1/2, Lehman won the AA team
title for the third consecutive year.
It's the school's 12th overall dis-
trict trophy won by the wrestlers.
Dallas followed up last year's
strong third place finish in sixth
with 100 points. After reaching
the century mark the Mountain-
eers had four chances to add to
their team score with three wres-
tlersin the consolation round and
another shooting for a district
championship. But the Mounts
came up short every time, and
finished the two-day event stuck
on 100.
Grapplers needed at least a
top four finish to qualify for this
weekend's pre-regional tourna-
Rachel Kaufman looks
back with fondness
By LEN KRYESKI
Sports Writer
JACKSON TWP. - She may not
have realized it until her high
school basketball career at Lake-
Lehman was over, but for Rachel
Kaufman the end justified the
means.
“I'll never forget my last game
as a senior,” said Kaufman. “Even
though we lost, it didn't matter —
we had a successful season. That
whole last game experience is most
memorable.”
The experience to which
Kaufman is referring goes way
beyond the presentation of roses
and the introduction of her par-
ents prior to the last home game
earlier this month. It's the recog-
nition for four years of sweat and
performance in a Lehman uni-
form from both coaches and team-
mates alike. It was the cheering
and clapping from friends and
fans. It was also the hugs of
appreciation and friendship that
made her realize her contribution
to the program was worthwhile.
The daughter of David and
Barbara Kaufman of Jackson
Township got her start on the
hardwoods in the P.T.A. league
back in elementary school. She's
loved and played the game ever
since. A four-year member of the
varsity, Rachel has been in Dick
Morgan's starting lineup each of
the past two seasons.
“I enjoy the team unity and the
skill involved,” Kaufman said.
“(Basketball) has given me the
ability to use a leadership posi-
tion with the team outlook in
mind.” .
Kaufman became a leader for
the Lady Knights during the
course of her senior season. She's
ment. Mountaineers Mike Metz,
John Crispell, Chris Kuderka and
Matt Gingo will make the trip to
the Western Wayne gymnasium
this weekend.
Eleven of Lehman's 13 wres-
tlers advanced. In addition to the
five champions Joe Halowich, Ned
Walsh and Tony Tereska finished
second. Nick Raczkowski and Pal
Rogowski won their consolation
bouts while Sam Saylor finished
fourth.
“It was a consummate perfor-
mance up and down the line-up,”
added Lipski. “The confidence
level is outstanding. don't think
we've peaked yet!”
The team contributions went
beyond those of 13 teammates
battling at the district competi-
tion, which started at Wyoming
Valley West Friday and ended at
Hazleton Saturday. Senior Mike
Rogowski sacrificed his spot, al-
lowing Tereska to move down to
his natural weight of 189. After
putting together a fine season,
See WRESTLING, pg 10
RACHEL KAUFMAN
developed a strong relationship
with and earned the respect of the
underclassman. Playing inside at
both the center and power for-
ward positions has helped Rachel
overcome her biggest obstacle on
the court; a lack of aggressive-
ness.
“My biggest improvement has
been my aggressiveness,”
Kaufman said. “Being more ag-
gressive also helps in other areas,
See KAUFMAN, pg 10
HB School news
HB Classified
BM Calendar
..Black Knights dominate district wrestling meet
POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK
Brian Butler worked on a very distressed Valley View wrestler on the way to a pin Friday night.
Sixers go into playoffs undefeated
Dallas Youth 7th and 8th grade
basketball ended its regular sea-
son Feb. 18. There were four
games on tap, with a number of
standing positions still to be de-
cided.
In the opening game, it was the
Sixers all over the Warriors by a
score of 63-42. At the end of the
first quarter it was the Sixers 16-
9. In the second quarter, the
Sixers exploded with a 23-10 run
to give them a 39-19 half time
lead. The Sixers continued their
scoring onslaught in the third and
fourth quarters, and coasted to
an easy win. The Sixers were led
by Matt Wycallis with 27 points
including two three-point goals,
followed by Matt Jackson with 24
points. The Warrior offense was
led by Paul Dougal with 15 points,
followed by Kevin Piekara with 12
points including two three-point
goals. Justin Bicking chipped in
with nir.e points.
In the second game of the after-
noon, the Hornets outlasted the
Blazers 38-29. The Hornets and
Blazers played pretty much even
through most of the first three
quarters, with the Hornets hold-
ing a 28-27 lead at the end of the
third quarter. The fourth quarter
They're the top
The Dallas 8th grade girls
squeaked past Lake-Lehman 34-
30 Sunday to. claim ihe
championship in the Wyoming
Valley West 7th-8th grade
tournament. It was a see-saw
game all the way, with Dallas
holding a two-point lead at the
half, and Lehman battling to a 26-
26 tie at the end of three periods.
Up by two with a few seconds to
go, Jen Noon converted two free
throws to ice the win. Leading the
scoring for Dallas were Kendall
Santarelli with 14 points and
Stephanie Simonitis with 10.
Melissa DeCesaris led Lehman
with 14, followed by Janelle Perlis
with 10. "ltwas ashame one team
had to lose," said Dallas coach
Joe Noon.
The Dallas team, in top photo,
from left; Joe Noon, Jen Noon,
Kendall Santarelli, Stephanie
Simonitis, Sarah Nichols, Denise
Kovaleski, Jeannie Dreier, Stacey
Amann, Melanie Sappe, Erica
Turner. Above left, Sarah Lozo,
with the ball, guarded by Jeannie
Dreier, left, and Stephanie
Simonitis. Behind is Janelle Perlis.
Above right, the Lake-Lehman
team, from left; Rob Williams,
Melanie Borish, Jen Frank, Megan
Harleman, Jen Walkoviak,
Melissa DeCesaris, Janelle Perlis,
Sarah Lozo, AprilNaugle, Melissa
Bray, JenSmith.
POST PHOTOS/JIM PHILLIPS
a
| —-
FINAL STANDINGS
Sixers 10-0
Celtics 7-3
Hornets 6-4
Magic 6-4
Heat 5-5
Warriors 2-8
Trailblazers 2-8
Bulls 2-8
proved to be the hot quarter for
the Hornets as they outscored the
Blazers 10-2 to seal the win. The
Hornets scoring was evenly dis-
tributed; Jeff Zaruta and Pat Velde
each chipped in with 10 points,
followed by Justin Jumper with
six points. The Blazer offense was
led by Chad Woolbert and Tom
Byron, each with 10 points.
In the third game, the Bulls
defeated the Magic 51-36. The
Magic led early in the game with a
14-9 first quarter score. How-
ever, the Bulls outscored the Magic
in the second quarter by 15-6, to
take a 24-20 halftime lead. In the
third quarter, the Bulls contin-
ued their scoring dominance and
outscored the Magic 27-16 in the
last two quarters. The Bulls’ of-
fense was led by Mike Regan with
a game high 33 points, followed
by Lloyd Droppers with 10 points.
The Magic offense was led by Mike
Domzalski with 22 points, fol-
lowed by Ryan Sorber with 10
points.
In the final game of the after-
noon, it was the Celtics outlasting
the Heat in overtime to come away
with a hard fought 49-45 win.
The Heat led 6-2 after the first
quarter. In the second quarter,
the Celtics and Heat both went on
scoring runs, with the Heat hold-
ing a 20-15 half time lead. The
Heat had a three point lead with
eight seconds to play in the fourth
quarter, when Buddy Shah took a
pass fromdJay Carroll, and drained
a three-point basket with one sec-
ond in the fourth quarter to send
the game into overtime.
The Celtics outscored the Heat
in overtime 9-5 to seal the win.
The Celtics offense was led by Jay
Carroll with 16 points including
two three-point goals, followed by
Buddy Shah with 13 points in-
cluding three three-point goals.
The Heat offense was led by Joe
Stupino with 16 points, followed
by Danny Fetko with 11 points.
St. John's on top of standings
Miami defeated Syracuse 49-
27, as Blake Saba took game high
‘scoring honors with 17 points.
Chris Hiester and Christian
Coolbaugh chipped in with 12
and 11 respectively. Todd
Kerestes, Chris Arnaud, Matt
Carey and Tim Kerestes each
added a basket, while Ryan Bolera
led a strong Miami defense. For
Syracuse, Bobby Gebhart paced
the offense with 10 points and
Bobby Zaruta added seven. Tom
Dougal and Jeff Singer each added
four points.
Georgetown defeated Villanova
40-22, as John Simonitis was too
much to handle on the inside,
scoring a game-high 25 points.
Donny Murray had five points
while Angelo Reccia and Bobby
Hadzor added four points each.
Paul McCue also scored a basket.
Greg Mascioli paced Villanova's
offense with 10 points while Jeff
Dickson chipped in with eight.
Mike Smith and Dennis Ellis each
STANDINGS THRU FEB. 17
St. John’s 11-2
Miami 10-3
Georgetown 9-4
Seton Hall 8-5
Pittsburgh 6-7
Boston College 5-8
Syracuse 3-9
Villanova 0-13
had a basket for Villanova.
Seton Hall picked up a win,
defeating Boston College 33-25.
John Pambianco led Seton Hall's
offense with a game-high 18
points. Brian Dempsey chipped
in with 10 points, while Tony Van
Horn and Ryan Kellagher each
had a basket. For Boston College,
Mike English led the way with 10
points and Jordy Spencer added
seven points. Curt Kieper and
Kevin Arnaud played strong de-
fensive games.
Honored at end of youth career
The Back Mountain Wrestling Club recently honored three wrestlers
who are completing their last year with the club. The boys were
awarded senior jackets which designate the number of years of
their participation. Pictured are, Aaron Kubasik, seven years; Doug
Bedford, two years and Marc Shaw, six years.