I wasn’t in panic mode yet. We were down 9-2 against Somerset and were able to come back. The one difference in this game is that we were unable to make a first half run to cut into that lead. Lancaster Catholic did a very good job of spreading the floor and went into a four corners type offense to shorten the game and limit our possessions.

Despite our poor performance in the first half we still made a great run and should have cut it to 4 points with 4 minutes left when Richard Agurs got called for the charge and his fifth foul. That call really diminished our chances of coming back. You could feel the air let out. Instead of a 4 point deficit, we were facing an 8 point deficit. I have never seen a charge called with a player standing underneath the net. The only thing a defender can do at that point is get the ball out of the net after a made basket.

I think we exceeded a lot of expectations. We were coming off a 13-15 season and did not return a lot of experience other than Paul Weatherly and Richard Agurs. Both of our point guards had spent more time on the wrestling mat than they had on a basketball court. From those perspectives, I think we had an outstanding season.

In retrospect, I am very proud of what the guys were able to accomplish. The tone has been set for the program moving forward.

First of all, I just want to thank all of our seniors for helping our staff in the transition to JHS. Sometimes the seniors are the ones that suffer in a coaching change, but these guys were great to work with and once they bought into the system, we experienced success.

Carlton has matured a great deal since the summer. We butted heads a few times as I tried to teach Carlton a few life lessons. Once he understood that, Carlton had a fabulous senior season. He averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds. He had several clutch plays throughout the season that sealed some wins for us. We do not win the Altoona game or Tyrone playoff game without Carlton Wyatt.

Taylor come to the team late after moving from Florida. He did not contribute in the games at all, but he did a very good job in practice helping our team prepare. He may be the best free-style rapper on the team.

WhtI can I say about Paul. He has had a phenomenal career at JHS. He finished his career as the third all-time leading scorer behind Kurt Hoffman and Don Maser and ahead of former NBA player Pat Cummings. Those are some pretty big names in JHS lore.

Paul is a tremendous leader by example. His work ethic is absolutely second to none. He is a terrific role model for the up and coming Trojans. He volunteered his time with our Mini-Trojan program. He is always giving back.

Paul averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds this year. He is probably the best rebounder I have ever coached and one of the best human beings I have ever coached.

There is always room for improvement for players and coaches. Immediately after the season, I wrote down some personal notes on what I could have done better, what I will change for next year, and what I think I did well.

Player improvement usually happens in the off-season. There is an old saying that goes, "Players are made in the summer and teams are made in the winter." That is true to a point. I think what we try to do is improve the player within the team concept. I think we accomplished that goal or we would not have experienced the success that we did.

As far at the team improving, I think that goes without saying. The best compliment I received this year was on the bus ride home from St. Francis after winning the District Championship. I received a congratulatory phone call from my good friend and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Pitt-Johnstown, Bob Rukavina. He said, "Dave, I saw you guys play Forest Hills and Bedford at the beginning of the season and I saw you again tonight." "You guys are a completely different team than you were in December."

The coach in me wanted to get back in the gym on Saturday (after the playoff loss). The husband and father in me said I need to stay home for a little while and get reacquainted with my family.

I am really excited about next year. The foundation has been laid at both the varsity and the Jr. High levels. Coach Janidlo and Coach Wyatt have done a great job with those freshmen keeping them grounded and playing within our system. I think several of those young men will compete for a lot of playing time next year. That will serve as motivation to our upperclassmen because they know how talented those freshmen are.

We return 2 starters in Richard Agurs and Travis Williams. Sixth-man Cliff Eddins also returns after a tremendous sophomore season. We also return role players Josh Konar, Dajour Morris, Demetrius Gibson, and Jordan Jefferson.