KEITH GROLLER'S TUESDAY BASKETBALL NOTES

From Keith Groller

I evidently got some people fired up with my column in the Tuesday newspaper about how the Lehigh Valley reputation in boys basketball is hurting some kids in the recruiting process and how AAU is becoming a popular vehicle for kids to get increased exposure, particularly at the D-I level.

Not surprisingly, I have heard from several coaches who are upset with some of the things that were said and I will give them an opportunity to speak and express themselves in an upcoming column. I've also heard from one former player who couldn't have agreed more with what was said.

That's what we sometimes try to do here, give some food for thought and express contrasting points of view.

The AAU vs. High school issue is prevalent not only here in the Valley but across the country. It seems to be the No. 1 issue affecting the sport and the more conversation, the more discussion about it -- from all points of view -- the better. In a better world, high school and AAU ball would work together to enhance the game and create equal opportunities for the players to gain exposure.

Look for more discussion on the topic because to ignore the friction, the ongoing tug-of-war would be a disservice to what's really important in this sport now and in the future. The hope is that there could be some meshing of philosophies and approaches and the best of both high school and AAU could be utilized by our athletes..

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The news of the week last week was the injury of Anthony Gonzalez. Make no mistake, he will be missed.

This kid's a winner and brings an intensity and focus and energy that any team could use.

But the Hurricanes won the Allentown Summer League title without Gonzalez and Jarrod West.

There's plenty of talent there, although the margin for error for this team has been trimmed and they're going to have work harder on defense and rebounding, two areas where Gonzalez was crucial.

Here's the weekly league rankings and you'll note that Liberty is where it has been along, at the top:

LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Liberty (13-2)....Hosts a resurgent Emmaus team tonight.

2. Freedom (10-5)...I know he may not go down as one of the greatest coaches in Lehigh Valley hoop history, but I kinda like Joe Stellato and his personality. He's taken his share of knocks. Maybe this is the year his Pates surprise. Tough one tonight at Whitehall.

3. Whitehall (11-4)....Zephs did a defensive number on Becahi last Friday, holding Al Blount without a field goal, Let's see what they do with the uptempo Pates tonight.

4. Northampton (11-4)...K-Kids have been one of the biggest surprises of the season. But because of the division they're in, they still may not make the league tournament. I'll see them tonight at Allen.

5. Allen (10-5)...Just when you thought the Canaries were in trouble with a three-game losing streak, they beat Nazareth and North Catholic in back-to-back games. Jalen Cannon emerging as a real force.

6. Nazareth (10-4)....Still a little too inconsistent for me to think they could either win the league or district title. Could have their hands full at CCHS tonight.

7. Becahi (8-8)...Speaking of inconsistency, the Golden Hawks are the poster boys for it. All of a sudden, they're in a fight just to make districts because 2-6 league mark won't help them. Must-win for them tonight at Parkland.

8. CCHS (8-7)...Looks like all the turmoil surrounding the Kyle Kern resignation has quieted down, thank goodness. Despite all the stuff that has gone on, this team will probably win districts if they get into the tournament.

9. Emmaus (7-7)....Because of the abundance of quality sophomores, this will be a team to watch next year and in 2011-2012, but they're not waiting that long to make their mark as Pocono Mt. West found out on Saturday afternoon.

10. Easton (7-8)....Jim Hutnik has probably never had a team that has frustrated him more than this one. Like so many others, this team needs every win just to get into districts. Host Dieruff tonight.

11. Parkland (5-9)...Just one of those years for the Trojans, who were rebuilding anyway and then got hit with all kinds of things. At 3-5 in the LVC, they could still make districts that way. Getting there via .500 overall mark is not going to happen. Must win tonight against Becahi.

12. Dieruff (1-14)...The condition of Dieruff sports will be talked about on "Sports Talk" show on RCN4 at 6 p.m. Thursday night.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

1. Notre Dame-Green Pond (14-2)....Still have more scoring punch than anyone in the league, maybe the area.

2. Wilson (10-5)...Still can't get over how much the Warriors struggled at Northern Lehigh last week. Maybe I'm the jinx for them.

3. Northern Lehigh (11-5)...Bulldogs probably wish they were still a 2A team. Heartbreaking loss for them at Southern Lehigh.

4. Bangor (7-8)....Slaters probably wish they were a 3A and not a 4A school. Have yet to win outside the league and now they're starting to lose league games after a fast start.

5. Southern Lehigh (9-7)...Don't look now, but here come the Spartans and where did Ramfis Rodriguez come from anyway? He was our Rothrock player of the week on the Calling All Sports TV show.

6. Saucon Valley (7-8)....One of many mystery teams in this league.

7. Salisbury (7-7)....See what I said about Saucon Valley.

8. Catasauqua (8-7)....Josh Case is nearing the 1,000-point mark.

9. Northwestern (8-8)....Win over Saucon caught my eye. Oxley starting to put up some nice numbers.

10. Palisades (3-12)....Three wins is an improvement over the one win they had last year, but I am sure coach Mike Viglianti believes his team is much better than a 3-12 club.

11. Pen Argyl (1-14)....Talented junior Joey Wagner was dismissed from the team, adding to a miserable season in Green Knight country.

12. Palmerton (2-12)...I passed Palmerton on my way to Penn's Peak on Saturday night. Wonder if Ed Hedes enjoyed the Travis Tritt show as much as I did. Ed, as a security guard, had a better seat than me.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Pocono Mt. West (12-3)...Saturday afternoon games in Emmaus are just not the Panthers' thing.

2. Pocono Mt. East (10-5)....No one will want to play the Cardinals in the postseason.

3. Pleasant Valley (6-9)....Big win over Parkland on Saturday keeps district hopes alive.

4. Stroudsburg (5-11)...Best 5-11 team in the state.

5. ES North (11-5)...Have already clinched district spot.

6. ES South (4-11)....Key is 2-4 league mark. If Cavs can turn that around, MVC may have 6 of 7 teams in districts.

7. Lehighton (0-13)...I had been relying a website that gave the Indians a win they didn't really have. So even when they don't play, Lehighton loses. We've said if before, and will say it again, time for them to get out of this league.

Keith Groller