Third year coach Tim Keech has had a recipe for success the past several years now (38-14).
But what the heck, improvements can always be made. So to fully accentuate BA’s defensiveprowess, Keech has decided to return to an old ingredient.
“Offense may win games, but DEFENSE wins championships! said Keech. “This long has been my philosophy, and since we are a senior-dominant team our players have been through two seasons gaining valuable experience together,” explained the always upbeat Keech.
What’s more, with the addition of Mr. Matt Stinson as jayvee assistant coach, defense is stressed even more. Defense was impressed upon Stinson (early and often) by his high school coach Kraig Hetz who is now the head coach at Altoona High School. Coach Keech feels that Stinson’s experience will be a great asset to his entire squad especially with his defensive aptitude.
While there may be a new face or two on the bench, the majority of the players on the floor should be familiar faces. Eight seniors, including two starters and five lettermen, return from last season’s 16-9 club.
Headlining the veteran crew for the Blue Devils is sharpshooting Steve Crider (6-0) who averaged 14.9 ppg, as well as big man/forward Ryan Myers (6-3) who accounted for 17+ points per contest. Combined with them are a talented group of veteran returnees, led by Nathan Carlson (6-2), Ricky Shannon (5-10), Dan Smith (5-11), and Jake “The Snake” Mattern (5-10). Inside Brent Hughes (5-10) and Matt Rogers (6-3) are now better equipped to handle the mental and physical rigors they will face this season. Myers, Shannon, Crider, Carlson and Rogers have been getting a lot of minutes on the basketball court since they were sophomores.
Also in the mix is a pair of juniors, Shawn Weiand (5-9) and Mark DelGrosso (5-11), who will be expected to provide depth to a team that has the potential to utilize up to a ten-or eleven man rotation in most ballgames.
“Steve and Ryan are going to be the leaders of the team,” Keech explained. “They have always been very positive and very enthusiastic, but now Steve’s turned into more of a vocal leader, and he’s really matured.”
The 2002-03 schedule will test the Blue Devils early and often. BA will face the usual Juniata Valley League opponents and will host Bishop Guilfoyle in a feature contest on December 14, and visit Ebensburg and the County Seat Tourney over the Christmas holidays. The Blue Devils are three-time defending champs at the County Seat Tournament.
Bellwood-Antis opens at backyard rival Tyrone this Saturday evening and to say that both coaches know one another well is an understatement.
“Golden Eagles coach Mike Harris teaches in the same school district (Hollidaysburg) as do I, and I have to respect him for what he has accomplished in only two years,” quipped Coach Keech. Tyrone’s strengths include senior experience (Tyler Mertiff/Dan Grazier), quickness, and overall depth.
“We have a demanding schedule, and we can’t afford to look past anyone,” Keech noted. “The most important game that we schedule is that first ballgame (Tyrone) because we’re going to start right out knowing where we are. . .”
“Each day we will look to improve. We want to constantly strive for improvement in some area. The kids want to have a really great year, and they realize they have total control over that,” Keech concluded.
