"Strong Rebound"
Despite a shaky beginning a determined squad used talent, experience and improvement to prove
that Crimson Tide Basketball is back in a big way.
"They're baack," was the familiar slogan plastered on tee shirts sold by the Varsity basketball team even before
the season officially got underway. A glimpse down the halls of PAHS made it obvious that a countless number of people had
invested in the garment in hopes that the club would improve on their dismal 1991 record of 7-17, and one month into the schedule,
many were wondering if it had been money well spent. Fortunately, it didn't take long for the Tide cagemen to prove that they
were, indeed, back.
Although the 2-8 start for the
Tide looked less than promising, the typically strong non-league schedule that the squad faced made the mark very deceiving.
"The tough non-league games that Coach Steidle schedules for us don't do much for our confidence, but they make us play
that much better when we get to games that count, like leagues and Districts," explained senior co-captain John Cantwell.
The demanding early season took its toll on the team, as it took the cagers five
games before they broke into the win column with a victory over Stroundsburg. "people don't understand," commented
Junior Jim Scharadin. "They look at our record and think we're not doing good, but we played a lot of tough teams close,"
he continued.
After an up and down first half of Schuylkill
League play, the Tide began to make people understand how much they had improved. A 4-3 record in the first half was followed
by a 5-1 second half mark and an impressive six wins in their last seven regular season games. It was good enough to earn
the squad a spot in both the league and District XI playoffs.
Highlights of the Schuylkill League campaign were a season sweep of the arch rival Eagles of Blue Mountain and an overtime
win at the buzzer in West Hazleton. Juniors John Plachko and Kris Armson were the offensive leaders for the Tide, Cantwell
was the team's defensive stopper, and sophomore Joe Opalenick ran the show from his point guard position.
Although the cagemen bowed out of the league playoffs after a wildcard loss to
Lourdes, they made a stronger showing in districts. Playing their best basketball of the season, the squad looked superb at
times in wins over East Stroudsburg and second seeded Pocono Mountain. The wins earned the Tide a place in the semi-final
game against Easton, where they fell to the Rovers by 16 points. A last second lost to Parkland in the consolation contest
was the only thing that kept the much improved squad from a trip to the state tourney.
Senior co-captain Adrian Portland credited the turnaround to an improved attitude. "This
year's team was much closer and stronger than last year's, he concluded. Junior John Plachko led all Tide scorers with an
average of over 16 points per game. Kris Armson, also a junior, scored just under 15 points per game. The Crimson Tide finished
second in Division I of the Schuylkill League. The squad averaged over 57 points an outing. The Tide will have four starters
returning next year.
