http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
I was over at Bethlehem Catholic the other day and caught a glimpse of the school's girls basketball team before the boys took over the shiny gym floor.
The Becahi girls got the Lehigh Valley to Hershey last March with an appearance in the 3A state final and from all accounts are even better this year with Morning Call player of the year Kalista Walters leading the way.
And then the boys took the floor and looked like a team with all of the ingredients of another championship contender, and this was without the Hawks' best player Freddie Simmons (pictured at right in playoff game at Pope John Paul II last March) who was on a recruiting trip at the Miami-Pitt football game.
Coach Mike Frew began his practice with a passing drill that he said he calls Kentucky. It exhausted me just to stand there and watch it.
"We call it Kentucky, not because we got it from Kentucky, but because it's like the Kentucky Derby and you get on your horse and don't stop running," Frew said. "It's great for passing, but it's about conditioning and mental toughness."
The idea is that these Hawks will not let up on opponents this season.
Parkland and Central Catholic remain the favorites in their LVC divisions, and are probably the class of the league as we begin to play the games.
But while Liberty, Freedom and Easton remain solid, I believe Becahi has emerged as the favorite to win the East.
Here's a closer look:
BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC
Coach: Mike Frew (fthird season, 18-29).
Last year: 13-12, 5-9 LVC.
Postseason: Beat Blue Mountain 54-40, beat Pottsville 56-50 and lost to CCHS 87-61 in the District 11 3A tournament. Lost to Pope John Paul II in state opener.
New to staff: Former Northampton head coach and Parkland assistant Ed Ohlson. Mark Corsi has moved from freshman to JV and Kyle Haas has been added to varsity staff. Matt Pile and Garrett Johnson have been added to freshman staff.
Openers: Saturday at 7:30 in the Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic vs. Parkland. Also, play Archbishop Wood, Tuesday, Dec. 10 and then open league schedule vs. Liberty on Friday, Dec. 13.
Key date: The Golden Hawks will be in the Hoop Group event at Parkland on Sunday, Jan. 26 against Abington Heights and Bucknell recruit J.C. Show. Frew said the time of the game has yet to be set.
Players to watch: Jamal Aziz (6-0, Sr. G); Justin Lenzer (5-10 Sr. G); Freddie Simmons (6-3, Jr. G/F); Ed Hudak (6-0, Sr. G); Andrew Hudak (6-7, So. C); Antwon Keenan (5-11, So, G); Julian Spigner (6-1, So. F); Darwin St. Cyr (5-10, Sr. G); Nick Karabin (6-3, Sr. F); DeAndre Tillett (5-9, So. G); Salih Salaam (6-1, So. F)
What's to like: The Golden Hawks have a lot of interchangeable and the starting lineup could change depending on the opponent as Becahi has the ability to play small or big. Regardless, they look to push the tempo and play aggressive defense.
What's to worry about: The Golden Hawks just got several of their players off the football team and it may take some time for them to mesh with the rest of the guys while they get their basketball legs.
Quotable: "Things are going well," Frew said. "I am very excited. We have an experienced squad coming back, returning four of the five starters. Our enthusiasm for the game has been outstanding. Our togetherness is still a work-in-progress, but further along than it was at this point last season. It's a group that's self-motivated. If I kept the lights on, they'd be in here for hours after practice. We're going to need that desire this year because the league is very strong. It's going to give the writers a lot to write about and the coaches a lot to prepare for."
Three months from now: Don't be shocked if the Golden Hawks get a rematch with Central Catholic in the District 11 3A final and win a game, or two, or more, in the state tournament.
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