Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame seeks nominations; plus league rankings

FROM KEITH GROLLER

First of all, the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for individuals to be inducted early next year in the class of 2011.

Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame nominations are open to the entire community and can be submitted through the Via All-Star Basketball Classic website www.ViaNet.org.

From the release:

The Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame was established in 1978 and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to high school basketball in the Lehigh Valley. The 2011 Hall of Fame class will be announced in early March and individuals will be inducted at the Via All-Star Basketball Banquet on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Nominations close on January 1, 2011.


Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame criteria can be found on www.ViaNet.org.

And, now, here are the league rankings entering Tuesday's games -- the last night of league play until Jan. 4.

LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE

1. Easton (4-0, 1-0) ...We'll find out more about the Red Rovers tonight when they host Liberty.

2. Nazareth (4-0, 1-0) ... Somehow, I forgot the Blue Eagles when I compiled our first Top 10 last week. Obviously, they belong near the top. Won't be forgotten again.

3. Liberty (3-1, 1-0) ... Only loss so far was a one-pointer in overtime to Pocono Mountain East.

4. Allen (2-1, 1-0) ... Finally play at home in a Christmas tournament next week.

5. Central Catholic (2-1, 1-0) ...Vikings will use holiday break to get football players back in the fold.

6. Emmaus (2-1, 0-1) ...Green Hornets will miss Bobal for up to a month, but should have enough talent to stay above water.

7. Becahi (2-2, 0-1) ...Golden Hawks are playing better defense, but now may lack offensive firepower.

8. Dieruff (2-2, 0-1) ... May get to see Huskies against Catty in the Northampton Christmas tournament.

9. Whitehall (1-3, 1-0) ... All three losses have come by single digits.

10. Parkland (1-3, 0-1) ... Can't win many games when you average just 41 ppg.

11. Freedom (0-4, 0-1) ... A 63-33 loss to Pocono Mt. West? Ouch.

12. Northampton (0-3, 0-1) ... Great chance for first win tonight against Parkland.

COLONIAL LEAGUE

1. Bangor (4-0, 3-0 ) ... Slaters' four wins have come by an average of 36.5 points.

2. Wilson (4-1, 3-0) ... Once again, Bob Frankenfield was a master at lowering expectations during our preseason conversation. No one's fooled now.

3. Saucon Valley (2-2, 2-1) ... Will try to put tough one-point loss to Wilson behind them tonight when Panthers play Southern Lehigh.

4. Notre Dame (4-1, 3-1) ... Pat Boyle probably still basking in the glow of that Central Catholic state football championship.

5. Salisbury (2-2, 1-2) ... Tonight's game against Wilson is the game-of-the-night in the Colonial.

6. Northern Lehigh (2-1, 2-1) ... Ran into a buzzsaw at Bangor, but soft schedule has allowed Bulldogs time to regroup.

7. Palmerton (3-1, 2-1) ... Is it too early to think District 11 playoffs for the obviously improved Bombers?

8. Southern Lehigh (1-4, 0-3) ... Spartans seem to be in every game, but can't seem to sustain things.

9. Catasauqua (1-3, 1-2) ... Key early-season game against Northern Lehigh tonight if Roughies want to build some momentum.

10. Palisades (1-4, 1-3) ... Pirates aren't that bad, just stuck in a brutal division. Could go 5-1 against the North later on.

11. Pen Argyl (2-3, 1-2) ... Green Knights have already matched win total of all of last year.

12. Northwestern (1-4, 0-3) ... Playing Bangor tonight not exactly best way to get into the holiday spirit.

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