FINAL LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

From Keith Groller

After a league tournament week full of surprising results and some ridiculously low scores, it's time to move on and get set for districts.

But before we do, one final batch of league rankings.

LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Nazareth (18-5, 10-4)....There was a time I thought the Blue Eagles would have been better served to stay in the Mountain Valley Conference than join the LVC. Now, they may be one of the LVC's most well-rounded sports programs and there's no reason to think they can't repeat as league champs next year. One thing that struck me amid the Blue Eagles celebration on Friday night is how that community has suffered so many tough losses in recent years...Derek Kehoe, Courtney Diacont, Todd Rothrock. After so much sorrow, they deserved the joy of a championship and Todd, who cared so deeply about basketball in that community and had a son, Matt, on the team, may have been smiling most of all from up above.

2. Liberty (18-5, 12-2)....The Hurricanes were never in sync against Nazareth. Look for them to come back with a vengance in districts. Should have little trouble with Bangor in first round on Weds.

3. Allen (16-7,10-4)....The Canaries have two special players in Branden Harrington and Jalen Cannon. Better get the loss to Nazareth out of system fast or might have a bit of a struggle against Stroudsburg on Weds.

4. Whitehall (15-8,10-4)...The Zephyrs are simply hard to figure. I think they'll beat Emmaus on Weds. because they always play well at home. After that, who knows?

5. Freedom (14-8, 9-5)...The Patriots have the quickness and size to give lots of teams fits in districts. Probably have too much firepower for Northampton.

6. Northampton (13-9, 6-8)...Ended the season in a bit of a funk. We'll see if they've snapped out of it enough to beat Freedom.

7. Central Catholic (11-11, 6-8)...Better be careful against Wilson in Friday's quarters. The Warriors have a tendency to make their games seem ugly because of their ability to control tempo and play good defense.

8. Emmaus (11-11, 5-9)....Green Hornets are a year away from a serious district run, but own wins over a real good Pocono Mt. West team and Schuylkill champ Pottsville and LVC champ Nazareth.

9. Easton (12-10, 6-8)...Jim Hutnik's team came on strong at the end of the season and can't be discounted in districts. I'm sure he was proud of how well his former assistant, Joe Arndt, did in the LVC tournament.

10. Parkland (8-14, 5-9)...Missed districts for the first time since 1994.

11. Becahi (10-12, 4-10)...Strangely, had the Golden Hawks made districts, they might have been the favorite to win 3A.

12. Dieruff (2-20, 1-13)...Glad the Huskies at least kept playing and picked up one league win.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

1. Northern Lehigh (19-5, 12-4)...The Bulldogs won two of the more memorable tournament games in Colonial League history. May struggle with either Southern Lehigh or Saucon in the quarters Friday night at Catty.

2. Notre Dame (20-4, 14-2)...Another district gold will ease sting of a league tournament disappointment.

3. Wilson (15-8, 13-3)...The incredulous look of Bob Frankfenfield after that Northern Lehigh loss will stay with me for awhile.

4. Southern Lehigh (12-11)...Get to visit Spartan Country for a second time this season on Tuesday to see their game against Saucon. Solehi probably happy it won't have to see Notre Dame again.

5. Saucon Valley (10-12, 9-7)...Can the Panthers knock off Southern Lehigh again? If they do, this time they will be assured of knocking the Spartans out.

6. Catasauqua (12-10, 9-7)...Josh Case makes them dangerous, but long layoff before next Tuesday's semifinal game against Tri-Valley could cause some rust.

7. Bangor (10-11, 10-6)...Slaters have had a nice year in the league, but are still seeking first win outside it. Probably won't get it against Liberty.

8. Salisbury (10-12, 6-10)....At least Tyrae McDuffie is set to graduate, so we won't mix him up with Tyray McDuffie next year.

9. Northwestern (10-12, 7-9)...Kevin Oxley finished the season strong for the Tigers.

10. Palisades (5-17, 2-14)...Five total wins and a victory over Southern Lehigh are some things to treasure and Josh Parris is getting respect he deserves.

11. Palmerton (4-18, 2-14)...If there was a Mount Rushmore for all-time Lehighton area newspaper legends, I'd put Ed Hedes right up there with Rudy Bednar, Ray Conageski and Bob Flexer.

12. Pen Argyl (2-20, 2-14)....Didn't get to Wind Gap this winter, but will be there in the spring for Green Knights' usually stellar softball team.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Pocono Mountain East (17-6, 10-2)...This could be the Cardinals time to shine.

2. Pocono Mountain West (20-4, 11-1)... Tynell Fortune will be a player to watch in districts.

3. Stroudsburg (9-14, 8-4)... Matt Poorman is another guy to watch.

4. ES North (14-9, 6-6)...Could be in for a tough night against Easton.

5. Pleasant Valley (4-8, 8-14)...Pass the school all the time on my way to Pocono for races in the summer, but haven't visited in a long while.

6. E.S. South (3-9, 5-17)...Heard the Cavs have a spiffy new gymnasium that will host a 4A quarterfinal doubleheader next Saturday night.

7. Lehighton (0-12, 0-22)...Wonder how that baseball mess turned out.

From Keith Groller