FROM KEITH GROLLER
We know by now that Liberty and Saucon Valley are your league champions. And if you look back on what we thought in November, neither is a huge shock. Both the Hurricanes and Panthers were considered among the league favorites from the very beginning, although they both certainly had obstacles to overcome.
The league tournaments were certainly memorable.
But before we move on to districts and the quest for more championships, here's a last look at how the teams stacked up in each league this winter.
LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE
1. Liberty (20-4, 12-2) ... Patrick Donnelly saved the day against Nazareth.
2. Nazareth (19-5, 10-4) ... I know he's a talented football player, but I sure wish we could watch Chuck Dibilio play basketball somewhere for four more years.
3. Allen (19-4, 13-1) ... Canaries' guard play has never stabilized and could continue to be team's Achilles heel in districts.
4. Easton (19-3, 12-2) ... While James Middleton emerged as a star in the second half of the season, this team is still more about the defense than any individual star. Jim Hutnik was a deserving coach of the year choice.
5. Emmaus (15-7, 8-6) ... With Wiseley back, Green Hornets could be a tough out in districts. Game against a talented Pocono East team will be interesting on Wednesday night.
6. CCHS (13-9, 7-7) ... Vikings still are the area's most hard to figure team. They're capable of playing a couple of rounds in states or just as likely to lose to Saucon to D11 semis.
7. Whitehall (10-12, 6-8) ... Zephyrs and Javier Rivera showed me something by how they played to eliminate Parkland from the district playoffs.
8. Parkland (10-12, 6-8) ... Second straight season without a playoff berth. Should be better next year.
9. Freedom (8-14, 5-9) ... Patriots played hard to the end. Another team that should make at least a four or five-game improvement next year.
10. Bethlehem Catholic (6-16, 1-13) ... Coaching change was not a surprise.
11. Dieruff (5-17, 2-12) ... When they were 4-3 in the week between Christmas and New Year's, I thought the Huskies would really make a run at districts.
12. Northampton (3-19, 2-12) ... I know Ed Ohlson expected more.
COLONIAL LEAGUE
1. Saucon Valley (19-5, 13-3) ... Everything came together just in time.
2. Bangor (20-3, 16-0) ... In their hearts, they'll always believe they were the league's best team this season.
3. Salisbury (17-7, 11-5) ... Good to see Mike Schantz come back and play in the CL title game. Falcons might be able to do some district damage.
4. Wilson (16-7, 12-4) ... Wonder if the Warriors are working on their foul shooting. If they hope to do anything in districts, it has to improve.
5. Notre Dame (14-10, 8-6) ... Crusaders may have missed CL playoffs, but no one outside Green Pond shed any years considering that Tyler Kohl will be around for three more years.
6. Northern Lehigh (15-7, 10-6) ... Bulldogs are early pick to win league in 2011-12.
7. Southern Lehigh (9-13, 7-9) ... District 11 3A tourney won't be the same without Bob Shaffer around.
8. Catasauqua (7-15, 6-10) ... No matter what I say here, someone will take a shot at Eric Snyder. Like Yogi says, it would be deva vu all over again.
9. Palisades (7-15, 4-12) ... Looking forward to watching Josh Parris play football at Lehigh.
10. Palmerton (8-14, 5-11) ... Still think the Blue Bombers should have hired the fiery Ed Hedes to replace Snyder.
11. Pen Argyl (4-18, 2-12) ... I never got to see Green Knights play, but I enjoyed talking with Mike Frew about the Coaches vs. Cancer program.
12. Northwestern (1-21, 0-16) ... That's still beautiful country up New Tripoli way, and darn nice people, too.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE
1. Pocono Mountain West (20-4, 11-1) ... Brad Pensyl had good Fortune in his lightning-quick point guard.
2. Pocono Mountain East (16-8, 11-1) ... Meeting No. 4 between East and West could be coming on Saturday.
3. Stroudsburg (11-12, 8-4) ... Nice job by Shawn Thornton to get things turned around after an 0-6 start.
4. Pleasant Valley (11-12, 6-6) ... Ken Piontkowski and Bron Holland meet again on Weds. night. They know each other well.
5. ES North (8-13, 3-9) ... It all seemed to go downhill after a 17-point win over Dieruff in early January.
6. ES South (5-16, 3-9) ... Give Rich Baker time, he'll get the Cavs respectable.
7. Lehighton (1-20, 0-12) ... Nice to talk to Indians' coach Mike O'Brien. Seems like a nice guy. He's just got a program stuck in the wrong league.
http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
On this page I will have all information on sports events from Nazareth High School and all other sports events in the country. I will also have news about myself and other people.
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