Central @ NB

[Coach]

just looking for a score post-game. Thanks

[Head Roadie]

NB by 4 in a barn burner

[Coach]

good win... Wish I could have been there.

[life hunts]

Question for Head Roadie ( or anyone else in the know) ...

The Mirror stated a big call late in the game was made...

The block/charge call is definitely the toughest split-second decision for hoops officials...

I think the play included the Keller kid from Central with a charge...

Also, I am not concerned with who made the call, but I am curious to what crew worked the game.

Thanks for the info.

[lhacbigfan]

Not sure who the officials for the game were, but I talked to a buddy that said that the officiating was terrible throughout the game particularly the charge called on Cafferty that would have cut the NB lead to 1 or 2 points with under a minute to go. To put some evidence to the poor officiating, 3 of Central's 5 starters fouled out of the game including both big men Keller and Cafferty compared to nobody having more than 3 fouls for NB. But kudos to NB who I was told played a great game themselves... and the paper said that it was Central's 4th game of the week and only NB's 2nd that could have had something to do with it... but either way great game and congrats to NB on a good win.

[Head Roadie]

Don Donaldson, Frank Goshorn, and Tracy Cornelius did the game. They are an outstanding crew and 2 of the 3 have worked state championships. They tend to call the game a little closer than some other officials which is a matter of opinion whether you like that style or not. They did not let Central get away with running through screens, etc. and Central never adjusted, they were still running over people in the 4th qtr and the officiating crew never quit calling it. The Charge in question on Cafferty is a matter of opinion but I thought it was a no-brainer....if Cafferty had slowed his momentum and jumped straight up in the air it's probably a no-call but he ran the NB kid over. I felt there was an even bigger and more questionable call right after that when Matt Snyder (NB) was called for a push with :09 left when NB was inbounding thus giving Central another shot at a tie and overtime. Kudos for the officials for making that off the ball call, in a tough spot and against the home team, in that situation assuming it did occur.

You could just tell it wasn't Central's night....they looked sluggish and inconsistent on offense. It may have been the 4-game week catching up with them.

[life hunts]

Thanks, HR.

Donaldson, Goshorn, and Cornelius form a fine crew.

I also appreciate the comment in regards to off the ball calls from an officials standpoint...If you notice at the next game you attend, watch how many officials find themselves staring at the ball and forgetting about their areas of responsibilites.

That is the purpose of a 3 man crew...to provide better court coverage.

I might mention also, that I appreciate the continuance of the Central vs. NBC rivalry. It makes sense obviously with the location of the schools and secondly with the strong basketball tradition of both schools. It may be a trap in terms of a loss to a class A school on the side of Central, but NBC gains an opportunity to face a AA school and better prepare for the post season...

By the way, HR, again, how was the crowd size? Perhaps some of the student body traveled to Bedford for the wrestling match...

[Coach]

I know the radio guys said they believed their were more NB fans than Bedford fans at the match last night. I'd say there was a boatload of NB people over there.

[Head Roadie]

Very big crowd at the game. Not quite capacity but pretty tight....probably no more than 40-50 more people could have fit into some scattered seats here and there.

Unfortunately the series will end. With the PIAA reduction from 24 to 22 regular season contests everyone has to make choices. NB opted to drop a tip-off tournament and pursued continuing the series with Central. However Central's decision was to drop two non-league games, NB being one of them. The two teams could meet in the Williamsburg Christmas Tournament should they both continue to participate in that one. NB is back there next year after "trading" tournaments with Everett for a year and going to Windber.

[WPIAL~Titan]

HR, sounds like an excellent game.

Where was the game?

As you may have seen, my Titans are up and down. We're 10-8, 4-5 in section. WE play A LOT of young kids. 2 starters are sophs, and the 6th and 7th men are both FROSH. 2 more section wins gets us into the playoffs and guarantees a winning season, not a bad year considering how young and untalented we are.

However, the future bodes well...The best player in the Shaler program is 6'3" 185 8th grader named JP Holtz. JP is averaging over 20ppg on the Shaler FROSH team who is 11-5 with the two best frosh in the program moved up and playing JV/Varsity. Holtz led his 13U AAU team to a NATIONAL title last summer in Memphis, TN and threw down 2 dunks in the championship game. The AAU team was coached by our head varsity coach, Howie Ruppert. Holtz also plays football and believe it or not, Dave Wannsteadt actually stopped by this past fall to one of his 8th grade games and walked away impressed. JP has clocked 4.6 for the 40 yard dash as an 8th grader. He has been compared already to Sean Lee, only he's an even better, more athletic version at this stage of his career. Here's hoping he continues to progress and grow, and isn't one of those flameouts we have all heard of.

You'll hear his name next year...He will start varsity from Day One as a frosh in both football and basketball.