t was a really good holiday weekend for most LVC teams. Bethlehem Catholic, Central Catholic, Easton, Liberty, Parkland, Whitehall and Nazareth and Emmaus could add to that list today.
Plus, Dieruff posted a pair of wins, Allen and Freedom at least reach the finals of their tournaments and Northampton knocked off a previously unbeaten Blue Mountain team.
It all bodes well for the 2014 part of the 2013-14 season.
Here are the latest LVC team rankings followed by the MVC and Colonial League:
LEHIGH VALLEY CONFERENCE
1. Central Catholic (7-0, 3-0) ... Impressive 71-49 win over Trenton Catholic in the finals of Trenton Catholic's tournament. Abdur-Rahkman scored 33. Clearly this is our best team at the moment. .. Next: Host Freedom on Thursday night.
2. Parkland (5-1, 1-1) .... Just maybe the loss to Whitehall was exactly what this talented team needed. Next: Play at Easton on Thursday night.
3. Whitehall (6-2, 3-0) ... Still wonder if this team plays down to the level of the competition sometimes and there are concerns about consistency. Bottom line is that they are still unbeaten in league. Next: At Liberty on Friday.
4. Liberty (6-1, 2-1) ... Have been able to win three games since K.J. Williams was injured against Freedom. Next; Play at Haverford today.
5. Freedom (4-2, 3-0) ... Patriots did a great job of winning close games the first time through the LVC East, but still remain an enigma as lopsided loss to Upper Darby attests. Must play CCHS, ES North, PM West and Allen all in the first seven days of January. We'll see how good Pates really are. Next: at CCHS Thursday night.
6. Bethlehem Catholic (3-5, 1-2) ... I know this may seem like a high ranking, but I believe that the Golden Hawks still have as much talent as any team in the league besides CCHS and Parkland. Wins in York could be a catalyst. Next: At Allen Friday.
7. Allen (4-2, 2-1) ... This team is frustrating just to watch. I can only imagine how Doug Snyder feels. Can play so well at times, but have trouble sustaining it. Too dependent on outside shooting which can get as cold as the weather. Next: Host Bethlehem Catholic.
8, Dieruff (3-2, 0-2) ... Just when I thought the season could unravel, the Huskies responded with wins over Bangor and Stroudsburg. Have a chance to get on a nice winning streak before tough tests against Emmaus and Parkland on Jan. 8 and 10. Next: At Nazareth Friday.
9. Emmaus (4-3, 0-2) ... Green Hornets playing well at Constitution tournament. Could be boost needed to return to league play. Next: Play Engineering and Science for Constitution tourney title today.
10, Easton (4-4, 0-3) ... Red Rovers have shined outside the league, but have to start winning in LVC to qualify for districts. Game against Parkland on Thursday starts tough stretch that includes Reading on Saturday and Whitehall on Tuesday.
11. Nazareth (4-4, 1-2) ... Nice tourney win in Honesdale for the Blue Eagles, who are better than a year ago. Next: Host Dieruff on Friday and Catty on Saturday.
12. Northampton (2-3, 0-2) ... K-Kids may have revived their season with that big win over Blue Mountain and can really develop some momentum with a win over Salisbury tonight. Next: Host Salisbury Monday night.
COLONIAL LEAGUE
1. Bangor (6-2, 5-0) ... I know the Slaters lost to both Dieruff and Stroudsburg last week, but the Huskies and Mounties are not in the Colonial League. We'll see how they fare against much tougher CL South. Next: At Salisbury Friday.
2. Salisbury (5-2, 4-0) ... Falcons may have lost to Parkland, but could have gained more from that experience than winning over a weak opponent. Next: Play at Northampton Monday night.
3. Notre Dame (4-3, 2-1) ... Lost frontrunner status with that loss to Palisades. Next: Host Catasauqua on Friday night.
4. Southern Lehigh (5-4, 3-2) ... Spartans remain a little hard to figure, but it's understandable in what still has to be regarded a transition year. Have a chance to go on a roll against Colonial North before playing Tamaqua on Jan. 18 and Bangor on Jan. 21. Next: Host Pen Argyl on Friday night.
5. Northern Lehigh (5-2, 4-1) ... The Bulldogs have yet to be truly tested. That's coming against the Colonial South. Next: At Palisades Friday.
6. Saucon Valley (2-5, 1-2) ... The Panthers are a much better team than what they've shown so far. Next: Host Palmerton Friday night.
7. Wilson (4-4, 1-3) ... Warriors veteran coach Bob Frankenfield told he his team may not be that good this year. I didn't believe him at first, but now, maybe. May not make league tournament, but should still qualify for districts. Next: Host Northwestern on Friday.
8. Catasauqua (4-3, 3-2) ... The Roughies started strong, but that was against weak competition. Now that football season is fading in the rearview mirror, it's time for this team to start playing better. Next: At Notre Dame-Green Pond Friday.
9. Palisades (3-4, 1-4) ... Ken Termini is really doing a nice job with the Pirates. That win over Notre Dame is still a shocker. Next: Host Northern Lehigh Friday.
10. Pen Argyl (4-4, 2-3)... The Green Knights have already matched last year's win total. Kyle Hutnik has brought a little swagger to this long-suffering program. Next: At Southern Lehigh Friday.
11. Northwestern (3-6, 1-4) ... Record may not show it, but the Tigers are playing some quality teams tough. Next: Play at Wilson Friday.
12. Palmerton (1-6, 0-5) ... Got to talk to first-year coach Leigh Keenan on Friday night. I like his upbeat attitude. All positive stuff. There is some talent on that roster. Give it time. Next: At Saucon Valley Friday.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE
1. E.S. North (7-1, 3-0) ... Timberwolves have lived up to their preseason billing. Nice win in Altoona tournament. Next: At PM East on Friday, host Frankford on Saturday.
2. PM West (4-2, 1-1) ... Panthers are always lurking, ready to pounce. Tough early-season schedule will bode well later. Next: Play at Pleasant Valley Friday.
3. Stroudsburg (2-5, 1-1) ... Their record is more a reflection of their tough nonleague schedule than anything else. Will remain a factor in the MVC. Next: Host Allen on Saturday.
4. Lehighton (5-2, 1-2) ... The Indians are still a work-in-progress, but still finding a way to win their share. Next: Host ES South on Friday.
5. Pleasant Valley (2-3, 0-2) ... Bears have a lot of basketball to play and a lot of time to prove how good they are. Win over Whitehall showed their potential. Next: Play at Pocono Mt. West Friday
6. East Stroudsburg South (4-3, 1-0) ... O'Neil Holder makes this team dangerous. Next: At Lehighton Friday.
7. Pocono Mountain East (1-6, 0-1) ... Cardinals seem to be playing basketball, but wins have been hard to come by. Next: Host ES North on Friday night.
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