POTTSVILLE BOYS BASKETBALL

1988-1989 Season

23 Wins - 7 Losses
14 Wins - 2 Losses League Record
Schuylkill League Champions
District XI AAA Runner-up
State Qualifier

  "Jammin It"

   The Tide entered the season as the center of attention. All eyes were on the pre-season favorites. The Tide ignored pressure of being "the team to beat" and accomplished their goals.

   The Crimson Tide basketball team began their season in the spotlight with hopes of improving on last year's achievements. " We needed to win the early non-league game to prove that we could compete against 4A schools because they would be the teams we would play in the district and state playoffs," explained Junior point guard Kevin Dicello. The Tide accomplished their goal by taking one game at time and turning a disappointing 2-8  1988 non-league record into a triumphant 7-2 mark.

   The most memorable of the victories was a 61-59 defeat of East Penn League powerhouse Allentown Central Catholic. Senior guard Dean Eckley, the Tide's secretary of defense, shut down Central's Catholic's high school All-American Bill McCaffery and center Keith Armson sank the winning basket with four ticks on the clock.

   The good times kept on rolling as the team compiled a 12-2 league record and captured the Division 1 Title. Leading the assult were offensive guns Armson and Senior Tim Colna, who averaged 15.7 and 13.3 points per game respectively. Point guard Kevin Dicello ran the offense show as he dished out 10 assists per game. Junior Corey Holobetz and Armson captured chairman of the boards honors with nine rebounds per game.

   The Tide's strong play in the division carried over into the league playoffs as they defeated Lourdes 52-38 in the semi-finals. They captured the Schuylkill League Championship by defeating Schuylkill Haven in a classic defensive battle.

   The team carried on and finished second in the district as the lost 50-40 at the hands of Whitehall in the title game. The team qualified for the state playoffs but were defeated in the first round by nationally ranked Chester High.

   "It was a great season. We accomplished the goals we set and we grew together as a team," concluded Tim Colna.

   The Crimson Tide captured the Division I and Schuylkill League Championship titles. Keith Armson, Dean Eckley and Tim Colna were selected to play in the Schuylkill County Charity Bowl game. Armon was also elected to the Reading Christmas tournament All-Star team.

   

Pottsville Crimson Tide   60

Williamsport   69

Pottsville Crimson Tide   79

Northampton   69

Pottsville Crimson Tide   56

Hazleton   61

Pottsville Crimson Tide   63

Parkland   60

Pottsville Crimson Tide   78

Danville   71

Pottsville Crimson Tide   58

Lebanon   45

Pottsville Crimson Tide   61

Tamaqua   58

Pottsville Crimson Tide   67

Blue Mountain   39

Pottsville Crimson Tide   61

Allentown Central Catholic   59

Pottsville Crimson Tide   81

Pine Grove   47

Pottsville Crimson Tide   69

North Schuylkill   47

Pottsville Crimson Tide   66

Easton   53

Pottsville Crimson Tide   43

Mount Carmel   49

Pottsville Crimson Tide   84

Shamokin   68

Pottsville Crimson Tide   74

West Hazleton   64

Pottsville Crimson Tide   56

Cheltenham   45

Pottsville Crimson Tide   53

Reading   68

Pottsville Crimson Tide   52

Tamaqua   59

Pottsville Crimson Tide   53

Blue Mountain   36

Pottsville Crimson Tide   74

Pine Grove   40

Pottsville Crimson Tide   49

North Schuylkill   41

Pottsville Crimson Tide   52

Mount Carmel   41

Pottsville Crimson Tide   73

Shamokin   64

Pottsville Crimson Tide   55

West Hazleton   50

Pottsville Crimson Tide   52*

Lourdes   38

Pottsville Crimson Tide   44**

Schuylkill Haven   41

Pottsville Crimson Tide   63 ***

Northampton   57

Pottsville Crimson Tide   63 ***

Liberty   56

Pottsville Crimson Tide   40 ***

Whitehall   50

Pottsville Crimson Tide   50 xx

Chester   80

Print

* League Playoffs

** Schuylkill League Championship

*** District XI Playoffs

xx State Playoffs

1988-1989 Season   23 Wins - 7 Losses