Thursday night boys basketball predictions: ADs get ahead of the snow

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER With a little snow in the forecast for Friday, area athletic directors became proactive and moved a bunch of games up a day to tonight. Salisbury at Palisades was scheduled all along for tonight, but seven other games in the LVC, Colonial and MVC were changed to tonight. Here's how tonight's games are likely to turn out: LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE Freedom 60, Dieruff 48 -- Patriots have won five of six and should roll here. But they'll still have to beat both Easton and Liberty to get into the league tournament. Emmaus 65, Becahi 52 -- Green Hornets are no longer in first place in the LVC West and can't afford a slip here if they hope to get back in the LVC tournament to defend their title. Central Catholic 70, Whitehall 50 -- Once upon a time "Whitehall Stall Ball" was a popular trend around here. The Zephs will likely have to take the air out of the ball to have a chance in this one against a Vikings team that has won 10 in a row and have established a big three with Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Jean Lee Baez and Mike Kammerer all averaging 13 points or more per game. MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE Stroudsburg 63, PM East 40 -- The Mounties have suffered some agonizing late losses, including Tuesday's night buzzer-beater against Lehighton. This one won't come down to a buzzer-beater. Lehighton 61, ES North 48 -- The Indians have won four straight and are 9-7, and are closing in on a district berth that, frankly, would make Rich Oertner a prime coach of the year candidate. COLONIAL LEAGUE Northwestern 51, Pen Argyl 44 -- Tigers won the first meeting 52-48. Green Knights have lost eight straight since routing Pocono Charter in the Pius X Christmas tournament. Salisbury 64, Palisades 52 -- When they get out and run, there's not a more fun team to watch than the Falcons. Pirates, though, will likely find a way to keep this competitive. Catasauqua 70, Palmerton 40 -- Suddenly-hot Rough Riders, winners in five of their last six, clinch a district berth and keep in contention for a league playoff slot.