CENTRAL VS WHITEHALL RECAP

From Keith Groller

A deadline glitch caused my Central-Whitehall story to go to print on Friday night with several errors, including the final score. Here's the corrected version:



On the night that Pete Lisicky, the greatest scorer in Whitehall High basketball history, was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, the current Zephyrs treated him to a final score he was accustomed to in a 47-42 win over Central Catholic.

But instead of the long-range shooting so common in the Lisicky era, this year's Whitehall team played an effective game of small ball on Friday night.

Chris Astacio, Javier Rivera and Bobby Beldo combined for 38 points and almost all of them came from close to the basket as the Zephyrs used quickness and athleticism to turn away a determined Central effort.

(Chris Astacio, No. 31 for Whitehall on the right, was on his way to a double-double before injuring his ankle in the third quarter).

The win kept Whitehall (13-5, 8-2) one game ahead of Nazareth -- which handed Liberty its first league loss of the season on Friday night -- in the very competitive Lehigh Valley Conference North Division.

It also entertained a near capacity crowd on hand for the Hall of Fame ceremonies that inducted Lisicky, New England Patriots standout Dan Koppen, Gina (Lindenmuth) Miller, Tom Lukish and Jeff Gerhard.

''I said to the kids before the game that if they're not excited to play tonight, they'll never be excited for a game,'' Zephyrs coach Jeff Jones said. ''We talked about all of the people being here to support Whitehall basketball and the tradition of the place and how much people care about this school.''

Astacio, a 6-foot-2 senior who scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds before going out with an injured ankle in the third quarter, said he was inspired by the big crowd.

''I was pumped up to play and Hall of Fame night had everyone pumped up,'' Astacio said. ''We were excited, especially after a tough loss to Council Rock South [Thursday night]. That was a game we should have won, but we wanted to come back strong tonight.''

Astacio provided a lot of energy around the glass, scoring off rebounds and tip-ins and keeping other possessions alive with his hustle.

''My main role on the team is to hit the boards and provide some energy,'' Astacio said. ''We all have different roles. That's why we play well as a team. Matt [Greene] is a great shooter, Bobby [Beldo] gets to the basket, Pat [Bet] plays strong in the post and Javy [Rivera] really takes it to the basket.''

Rivera may have been the difference in the game, breaking free down the floor for baskets in transition.

Three of them came in the fourth quarter for seven points and helped Whitehall put the game away.

''Javy getting some runouts and easy layups was a big difference in the game,'' Jones said. ''He took it all the way and took it to the rim. He's pretty quick.''

CCHS coach Jim Rodgers was quick to pinpoint Rivera's breakouts as well.

''It seemed like whenever we would cut it to a two or three-point deficit, the Rivera kid would get a quick basket for them at the other end,'' he said. ''Whether the ball goes in or out at our end, you've got to find your man and get back on defense. We knew that's what he does, but still didn't stop it.''

Also hurting the Vikings was 36 percent shooting (18-for-50) from the field. CCHS was even colder in the first half when they made just seven of 24 shots.

Shane McNeely led the Vikes (8-9, 3-6) with 19 points, all inside.

''You need to have a good inside-outside game and we didn't get enough from the outside tonight,'' Rodgers said. ''But coming into this environment and knowing how tough it would be, I am still proud of the kids effort.

''They know what's at stake. They know we're in a fight to make districts, although we're not talking about must-wins yet. That would put too much pressure on them.''

CCHS (42)

Nosovitch 3-5 1-2 7, Dooley 1-11 0-0 3, McFadden 3-7 0-0 6, Sandherr 0-4 3-4 3, McKellick 1-8 0-0 2, McNeely 9-14 1-2 19, Rodriguez 0-0 0-0 0, Brochu 1-1 0-0 2, West 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-50 5-8 42.

WHITEHALL (47)

Rivera 7-14 1-2 15, Greene 2-8 0-0 5, Cheeks 0-2 0-0 0, Bet 2-5 0-0 4, Astacio 5-8 1-2 11, Polony 0-2 0-0 0, Beldo 4-6 4-4 12. Totals 20-45 6-8 47.

CCHS126717--42

Whitehall11111213--47

Officials: Karl Rentzheimer, Tim Miller. 3-pointers: CC (1-10): Dooley. Whitehall (1-12): Greene. Rebounds: CCHS: 22 (McFadden 8). Whitehall: 29 (Astacio 8). Assists: CCHS: 5 (McFadden 3). Whitehall: 6 (Bet 3). Turnovers: CCHS: 4. Whitehall: 10. JV score: CCHS 58-51

Source: Keith Groller