Standings...LLhoops.com tries to get it right. Looks like everything is accurate, but we are sure someone will let us know if we are off...

 

Section 1. CCrest jumps out to a 5-0 start.  The Falcons are a very fast team that applies defensive pressure all over the court. They are led by returning All LLhoops.com guard, Kyle McConnell. McConnell provides the spark for Crest...McCaskey comes off its brutal non-league schedule and is 2-0 as we head into this week. Hempfield, a New Era pick for 2^nd, is playing well and has received scoring form Eddie Gailor, a 6'1' sn. guard. McCaskey at Hempfield Wednesday J

 

Section 2 ..A mess as usual. However this year on the crossovers on Friday Cocalico and Ephrata break into the win column. Ephrata is getting consistent scoring from Greg Forastater , a 6'2' Jn who put up 25 vs PM, and from sharpshooter Morgan Bartholow, a 5'8' Sn...Key games this ---well aren't they all until  things  get straightened out?

 

Section 3...Lebanon could have put a vice grip on the section if they could have beaten Lanc Cath on the road. As it is, the Cedars are trailing  MC. Central has another all LLHoops.com returning in Jordon Gatchel. The 5'8' guard can drive , dish , and pop threes. He had his second 30 point performance of the year this past weekend vs Hershey.

Lots of ³0' fer teams here- LS, Donegal and NL. None of these teams will play each other until after Christmas.

 

Section 4..could it be Lanc. Cath and Columbia are both tied for first? Nah..couldn't be because the Lb. Cath. Beavers are also tied with the pre-season picks at 2-0. Leb. Cath. is guided by Scott Clentimack. This years team has some inside play as witnessed by Jon White a 6'2' all around performer.  Something gives this week as the Beavers make the trip to the Catholic school of Lancaster J  Lancaster Cath. Also faces a tough game with MC on Monday followed by a trip to LMHS on Friday. A key week for the Crusaders.

 

In the family..Can't  help but mention that PV has a family  affair going on. Mike Shatzmann  Sn has guided the Braves for 14 seasons. He has has top teams and bottom teams. He has coached one son, Mike Jn (currently  playing a starring  role at Etown College) and now has a second son following in his brothers shadow. With a few 20+ games for the Braves and learning to handle the point while scoring, it appears that Mattie Shatzmann, a 6'2' Jn is adjusting quite well to his new role for his father's team. It's not always easy playing  in a section dominated by Lanc Cath year after year after year, but you have to admire the way Coach Shatzmann goes about the business of teaching the game to his players.

 

 

Oh brother...The Landis brothers started their head coaching brotherly love/rivalry  with  an OT win going to Spot and Ryan. Jeff will have to wait until next year for a re-match. J Thanks to some help from  Jerry  Shenk and friends at Cocalico , it was determined that  Barry and Spence Henry did indeed coach against each other in the LL.

 

This and That..I was at another game where an entire student section was pitched during a game. This time by game officials.. Never saw it before ­now have seen it 2 times in a month. J...Thanks to Chris Firestine of ELCO for the insightfull   interview with LLHoops.com...With  the current ll schedule we might not know which teams are strong until well intoJan.  this might not be real good as the season ends at the end of Jan this season for non-playoff  teams. It should keep the interest up for some key games...TWP has a neat new gym. AC has a new gym this season also. Spotted ex ­Warwick head Coach Danny Walck at a game earlier this season. Busy guy as he is following  his  daughter, who plays college ball, and his son, Chris a 6' soph. guard for Hempfield....Donegal  hits  the  road, big time, as the Indians  have one home game in a stretch of 7.

 

Thanks..to our beat writers..our advertisers. Call H&L sports for any of your uniform  needs. Tell ³O' that you appreciate his sponsorship of LLHoops.com!

 

NBA week..LL teams play 4 games in 8 days..some playing  more this week.

 

Happy holidays!

 

Dell Jackson