http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
As we continue the preseason high school boys basketball "18 teams in 18 days" previews, looking for 18 of the most intriguing storylines entering the 2013-14 season, we spent Sunday night having a lengthy phone conversation with Kyle Hutnik.
Kyle is the son of legendary local coach Jim Hutnik, who is adjusting to being retired after ending his successful run at Easton. I asked Kyle how his father was doing and he said that he is missing the game that was such a part of his adult life. Understandable. No one got immersed in a season and the entire scene more than Jim.
Kyle said his father has been to a few practices, works the phone lines and has been more than eager to lend some helpful advice.
"I'd be a fool not to listen to one of the best coaches we've ever had around here," Kyle said. "You could tell he misses it. It's a tough adjustment for him because he has spent his entire adult life coaching basketball."
Kyle, though, is his own man and has a firm handle on a program that could definitely use some steady leadership.
Hutnik, age 31 at time of his hriing in June, is Pen Argyl's fourth head coach in four seasons and inherits a program that has won just 16 games over the last four seasons and hasn't had a winning year since 2004-05.
The team was 4-18 last year and lost its last 14 games under Al Blount, but the recent track record doesn';t dampen Hutnik's enthusiasm. He has a four-year plan to turn thngs around and is very excited about an incoming freshman group while saying he's got some older kids who who could pull some surprises this season.
One benefit for Hutnik is that Pen Argyl resides in the Colonial League North where defending league champ Bangor is strong, but the other five programs, including Pen Argyl, all could be in rebuilding mode. If one steps away from the pack, that program could win a lot of games and Hutnik believes it just might be his Green Knights who have impressed the new coach.
A closer look at Hutnik's team:
PEN ARGYL
Coach: Kyle Hutnik (first season).
Last year: 4-18, 1-15 CL.
New to staff: Hutnik has brought aboard former Becahi and P'burg head coach Kevin Lloyd. Dan Mosher will be JV coach; John Williams will coach freshman team.
Scrimmages: 5 p.m., Tuesday Dec. 3 at Nazareth.
Openers: Saturday, Dec. 7 vs. Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg; Tuesdsay, Dec. 10 vs. Northwestern.
Key date: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 vs. Moravian Academy at Allen's Sewards Gym as part of the John Donmoyer floor dedication doubleheader.
Players to watch; Jr. G Chris Muller; Sr. F Joey Sisson; Sr. F Nate Gillette; Sr. G Derek Nied; Sr. G Devon LeBarre; Sr. G Tyler Stecz; Jr. F Tanner Fehr; Fr. G Adam Strouse; Jr. F Zak Reppert; Sr. F Dan Yeisley; Sr. F Oliver Blasi.
What's to like: Hutnik really likes these kids, especially their enthusiasm and desire to learn and improve. Even some football players didn't want any time off after their season ended in districts and wanted to get immediately into the gym, which impressed Hutnik. Muller is a solid point guard. He likes the team's shooting ability and says he has five or six guys who can really "stretch the floor.'' Freshman Strouse is a potential star who will be hard to keep off the floor, according to Hutnik (seen in photo listening intently to his father while a player at Becahi in 2000)
What's to worry about: Hutnik said he won't have the depth that he's used to working with his father at Easton, and, of course, there's going to be a learning curve that goes with installing new systems. Lack of size is also a concern.
Quotable: "Some of these kids aren't that big, but they have a lot of toughness and heart and some of that comes from the football team and the great job that Paul Reduzzi does with them," Hutnik said. "The administration here has been great with their support. Tim Egan is an outstanding athletic director and principal Dave Domchek [a former assistant principal at Catasauqua] supports all of the programs at Pen Argyl. They have both been great to work with. I am committed to this program. These kids have gone through a lot. I want this season to be a good experience for them and want this program to make a turn for the good. I am extremely excited about the future. "
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