Friday night basketball forecast: Another stellar attraction at Freedom

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER As the father of an elementary school student and one grandchild who is in preschool, I write this with a heavy heart about what happened in Connecticut today. It's simply hard to comprehend how someone could do this. Just utterly, completely horrible and something that has to shake every parent to his or her core. But we'll try to do go on and take care of business as usual while very much impacted and distressed by the news that's unfolding ... HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL I have been I last saw Freedom play Easton in the finals of the Stellar Construction tournament back in July. That happened inside at Parkland because bad weather on that final Sunday made a mess of Cedar Beach and forced everyone indoors. I remember it being a very competitive game with Easton leading most of the way, but Freedom coming on strong late. Well, the same two teams -- who I believe are definitely among the top five in the LVC -- will get the league schedule started in style tonight at Freedom. There are a lot of intriguing matchups on this first full Friday card, but that's the one that carries the most interest for me and that's where I will be. You can look for my Twitter updates @KeithGroller, but remember that because there is a girls game and a gym dedication ceremony before the boys game, we're looking at an 8 p.m. start tonight, if not later. Here's our Friday night forecast: LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE Allen 60, Emmaus 55 -- The Canaries' Omar Harrington, a transfer from George Junior Republic, looks like an emerging star. Central Catholic 66, Dieruff 50 -- Lots of media attention being given to this one since it a rematch of the Summer League title game. Vikings are off to a good start and Huskies got much-needed win over PV, but I think CCHS may be too much here. Freedom 49, Easton 43 -- The Red Rovers will control the tempo. They always do. But if Freedom plays with the same intensity they had against Parkland, I believe they have too many weapons for the Pates. Parkland 68, Nazareth 48 -- Only team that can challenge the Trojans in this division is Whitehall. Whitehall 52, Northampton 40 -- Zephyrs look like a team that will stay on that district bubble all season. Liberty 66, Becahi 52 -- The Golden Hawks won on back-to-back nights this week. That hasn't happened very often in recent years. Becahi definitely looks like an improved team, but 'Canes might be too tough. The battle of the big guys -- Husek and Noack -- could be fun to watch. COLONIAL LEAGUE Salisbury 68, Saucon Valley 45 -- The Panthers are going to struggle to win games in this division this year. Bangor 75, Palmerton 40 -- After beating Northern Lehigh, the Slaters probably won't be challenged again until they start playing teams from the South Division. Northern Lehigh 73, Northwestern 43 -- Congratulations to all of the Ring of Honor honorees tonight, especially the two softball players that I covered Cathy Frohnheiser and Kristin (Kern) Rose. Catasauqua 60, Pen Argyl 40 -- A little revenge for that bitter football loss in the district finals? Notre Dame 64, Southern Lehigh 57 -- Can the Spartans pull their second surprise of the week? Wilson 58, Palisades 49 -- Warriors bounce back after loss to Southern Lehigh. MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE Pleasant Valley 63, ES North 48 -- Kenny Piontkowski has been doing a great job for a long time with the Bears. Pocono Mt. West 59, Stroudsburg 55 -- The game of the night in the MVC, and maybe, the entire area. Both posted impressive wins on Tuesday with the Panthers beating Allen and the Mounties beating Emmaus. This could be the first of several meetings between these two. Pocono Mt. East 49, Lehighton 44 -- Once upon a time, this was a vast mismatch. Not so this year as the Indians are improved and the Cardinals are rebuilding. A Lehighton win wouldn't shock me. NONLEAGUE Wallenpaupack 58, ES South 40 -- Third win over a Mountain Valley Conference opponent in a week for the Buckhorns who have already defeated Pocono East and ES North.