KEITH GROLLER'S BASKETBALL RECAP

From Keith Groller

Tuesday was Groundhog's Day and it's a day that's supposed to provide a clue about how long winter is going to last.

It definitely offered no clues as to how this boys basketball season is going to turn out, especially in the Lehigh Valley Conference.

Northampton beats Liberty, Allen beats Whitehall, Easton beats Nazareth and all of a sudden nothing seems certain.

Glad I waited until after Tuesday's games to make my latest Tuesday rankings, although it's quite apparent that this season has become like Florida weather -- if you don't like what's happening now, just wait a few minutes and it's going to change.

Here we go:

LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Allen (13-5, 8-3): Wins over Parkland, Northampton and Whitehall impressive enough to get Canaries to top spot for the first time. They are your West Division champs.

2. Whitehall (13-6, 8-3): Big one for Zephyrs Friday against Northampton.

3. Liberty (14-4, 9-2): It's obvious that losing Anthony Gonzalez has changed the look of this team and the league.

4. Freedom (13-6, 8-3): Could it be that the Pates are Bethlehem's best?

5. Nazareth (13-5, 7-4): Still can't fully grasp how good this team is, and loss to Easton only adds to the mystery. Joe Arndt has to wait for career win No. 100.

6. Northampton (13-6, 6-5): K-Kids have followed up three straight league losses with two wins.

7. Easton (10-8, 5-6): Don't look now, but the Red Rovers may be playing as well as anyone. I always get accused of giving coaches too much credit, but Jim Hutnik has done a terrific job, again, bringing this team around.

8. CCHS (9-10, 4-7): Win over Parkland puts CCHS in good shape to get to districts. They'll likely beat Dieruff and then need to beat Emmaus or Allen. Not impossible.

9. Parkland (9-12, 4-7): Trojans couldn't seize any momentum from Chester win and now have to win three straight to get to districts and against Nazareth, Northampton and Whitehall that's not likely.

10. Emmaus (9-9, 4-7): Green Hornets probably a year away from being a serious threat. Getting to districts would be a bonus.

11. Becahi (9-10, 3-8): Golden Hawks have to win two of last three to reach districts and Freedom, Liberty and Easton is a very tough way to close.

12. Dieruff (1-18, 0-11): I'll have to ask scorekeeper Roy Arlotto if Huskies have ever gone through a season winless in league play before.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

1. Notre Dame (17-3, 12-2): Fun team to watch for a fan, but a nightmare to cover if you're keeping stats because they move so darn fast up and down the floor.

2. Wilson (14-5, 12-1): Warriors closing in on No. 1 seed for league tournament.

3. Northern Lehigh (13-5, 8-4): Look like the North Division champs.

4. Southern Lehigh (10-9, 8-5)...Good to see Spartans for the first time tonight. Always see people I like down there. Ramfis Rodriguez is a promising junior guard.

5. Bangor (8-10, 8-5): Slaters snapped a six-game losing streak by beating Palmerton.

6. Catasauqua (10-9, 7-6): If Josh Case is out for awhile with bad knee, Roughies won't make either league or district tournament.

7. Saucon Valley (8-11, 7-6): Panthers revived playoff hopes with close win over Salisbury.

8. Salisbury (9-10, 5-8): Falcons still need two wins and it's not likely to happen against Notre Dame, Wilson and Southern Lehigh.

9. Northwestern (9-9, 6-6): Tigers need to win one they're not expected to win to qualify for districts.

10. Palisades (5-15, 2-12): My sense is that Coach Vig thought his team would win more than two league games.

11. Pen Argyl (2-17, 2-11): Win over Catty gets Green Knights off the bottom.

12. Palmerton (3-16, 1-12): Blue Bombers seem to be playing better basketball.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Pocono Mountain West (15-3, 8-1): Had Tuesday night off.

2. Pocono Mountain East (13-5, 8-1): Play at Allen on Saturday in what should be a dandy.

3. Stroudsburg (7-13, 6-4): Qualified for districts by beating ES North.

4. ES North (12-7, 5-5): T-wolves are 6-7 after a 6-0 start.

5. Pleasant Valley (8-10, 4-5): Have a chance to give MVC five teams in district tournament.

6. ES South (3-15, 2-7): Cavs have lost eight straight.

7. Lehighton (0-18, 0-9): At least the Indians have that field hockey state title.