KEITH GROLLER'S PICKS

So much for being perfect in the new Groller-Zambelli Challenge.

Even before the first set of picks reached print, I have one wrong -- picking the Central Catholic girls to beat Northampton.

We had that game as part of the contest and weren't aware when we did, that they moved it up to a Thursday night game.

At least Mikey Z, Steve Miller and 88 percent of the contest participants also got it wrong. What's the deal with these big, showdown girls games being played in 30s? CCHS beats Liberty 37-34 and Northampton tops CCHS 38-29. Is it great defense or are even the best offenses really struggling? I know if these were boys games, my inbox would overflow with demands for a shot clock.

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Before I get to the picks, just a quick note on Ursinus freshman Jon Ward, who I saw at Muhlenberg on Wednesay night. It's a shame we didn't get to see him play.

Considering the negativity of the comments on this blog, I hesitate to bring up Jon, who took his share of arrows as a high school player at Parkland

First of all, just being a Parkland athlete draws criticism, because that's the way it is. A lot of resentment, a lot of jealousy, a lot of hatred toward all things Parkland. I see it and hear it all the time. There's a lot of unfortunate stereotypes being tossed around out there about kids at various schools and all Parkland kids -- in the eyes of too many -- are rich, spoiled brats.

And then Jon was 6-foot-9 as a junior, which meant he was suposed to dominate.

It never happened at Parkland and then a Division I scholarship never materialized either. The naysayers had a field day.

But guess what? Ward will have the last laugh.

He's doing well at Ursinus, getting a great education and playing good basketball in his first year.

And despite what you think, there are a lot of good players playing D-III ball. The disparity isn't nearly as great between levels as there in football because with basketball you're talking about 15 kids per propgram, not 60 or 70.

Look at the talent DeSales possesses, and that's Division III.

Back to Ward. He is either going to be the next local kid to play in some pro league -- maybe overseas like Terrence Roderick -- or he's going to get a six-figure job with an engineering degree.

This is a bright kid. A good kid. You don't worry about him not giving a complete effort or doing the right things.

Expectations can be a noose around a lot of necks and Jon had trouble living up to them as a player with the Trojans, which wasn't fair nor his fault.

Ward may have missed a chance to shine back in the Valley on Wednesday because of the flu bug, but don't worry about him. He's going to do just fine at Ursinus and beyond.

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Now the picks.

Went 13-0 in my first week, but dipped to 9-5 last week. Can we stay above .500 this week?

LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE

Nazareth 70, Allen 67 ... Feathers will fly between the Blue Eagles and Canaries. Allen is on a three-game skid and has let its West division lead slip away.

Whitehall 54, Becahi 44 ... Contrast of styles. Zephyrs followed up bad loss to Emmaus with a big win at Harrisburg. Blount and Hungarter aren't scoring as much as they were earlier in the season.

Liberty 76, Dierufff 42... Hurricanes will miss Gonzalez, but still have more talent than anybody else in league.

Easton 51, Emmaus 46 ... Red Rovers are on a roll after that bitter loss to Central Catholic and are now playing the defense we've come to know from Jim Hutnik teams.

Parkland 64, Freedom 58 ... Trojans are in desperation mode in regard to making districts and the speedy Patriots are banged up and won't have Dickerson. I will be there, which means I will have seen all 12 LVC teams in person. Freedom was last to get.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

Wilson 45, Bangor 40 ... Warriors couldn't possibly play as poorly as they did Tuesday night at Northern Lehigh.

Catasauqua 50, Palisades 46 ... Roughies really needed that rally against Salisbury on Tuesday night.

Southern Lehigh 53, Northern Lehigh 49 .... Enjoyed my visit to Slatington. Bulldogs really impressed. It'll be hard for them to match that level of excellence again.

Saucon Valley 47, Northwestern 44 ... Two mystery teams to me. Both could make 3A district tourney.

Notre Dame 78, Pen Argyl 48... I know they lost to Wilson and Saucon, but Crusaders are still the best team in this league.

Salisbury 60, Palmerton 38 .... Ed Hedes is still one of my favorites in local sports media.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

PM West 75, Stroudsburg 61... Only a letdown after big win over East can prevent West from gaining revenge for early-season loss to Mounties. Looking forward to seeing West at Emmaus on Saturday afternoon.

PM East 85, Lehighton 40 ... Mark this down, one of the two Pocono schools will be in the district finals again. Maybe both.

ES North 67, Pleasant Valley 62 ... PV won the first meeting 49-40, but the Bears are struggling.

That's it. Enjoy the games and keep it light.

Keith Groller