By Pete Chiodo
March 12, 2010 — “They’re a pretty tall team,” said Linesville head coach Steve Mickle. And he ain’t kidding.
The Lions boys basketball squad takes on Conemaugh Valley in the opening round of the PIAA Class A playoffs today at 6 p.m. at Richland High School in Johnstown. And Conemaugh Valley is indeed a wee bit the lofty side.
In their 51-50 win over Homer Center in the District 6 championship game, the Blue Jays (22-3) started two guys that were 6-foot-4 (senior Jimmy Lupek and sophomore Dalton Uncapher), one that was 6-2 (senior Cody Kushner), another at 6-1 (senior Russell Turner) and their first guy off the bench was also 6-4 (senior Jesse Uncapher).
Linesville (17-7) has a few guys with height. Of the starters, there’s Wes Hershelman at 6-foot-2 and Brennan Miller is 6-1. Then 6-2 Dustin Buchanan and 6-3 Eric Schell come off the bench.
Still, Conemaugh has a clear advantage in the height category. Yet, there are ways to overcome that; like hustle, boxing-out and making shots.
The Lions have hustle. Seldom is there a Linesville team that doesn’t.
“We do have a pretty quick team,” said Mickle. “I don’t know what (Conemaugh) has speed-wise. But our team can get up and down court pretty quick.”
Boxing out is important in any game. But this evening it will be vital for the Lions.
“(Conemaugh Valley) really pounds the offensive boards from what I heard,” said Mickle. “We’ve definitely got to box out and limit them to as few shots as possible.”
Finally, shooting hasn’t normally been an issue for Linesville, except in the Lions last game, in which they lost to Rocky Grove 60-46 in the District 10 title tilt.
“Yeah, it was our first loss in over a month,” said Mickle. “You know our main problem there was just making our shots. We had plenty of opportunities. But we’d miss lay-ups, we’d miss open shots. The ball wasn’t falling.”
That’s going to have to change if the Lions want to extend their season, the program’s best since making the state playoffs in 2000-01.
“It’s been a great year,” said Mickle. “We’ve just got to see what happens. We know we’ve got a shot. But we have to come ready to play and have big night.”
Linesville’s success this season has its roots in the team’s terrific class of seniors, which includes leading scorer Trevor Litwiler (11.8 points per game), forward Brennan Miller (9.0), guard Walt Litwin (8.2), the aforementioned Hershelman (7.4) and sub Dane Laird (4.2). Eric Schell (3.0) is another senior, but he joined the team only a few weeks ago after transferring from Conneaut Lake.
The only starter for Linesville who isn’t a senior is junior guard A.J. Thompson. He’s second on the team in scoring with 10.3 points a game.
Conemaugh Valley is similarly blessed with a wealth of experience. The Blue Jays reportedly go eight deep and all but one is a 12th-grader — sophomore starter Dalton Uncapher.
The Blue Jays’ top three scorers are all seniors. That includes Jimmy Lupek at 17.5 points a game. He’s the son of Blue Jays head coach Garry Lupek, who is, according to the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, in his 36th season as head coach at Conemaugh Valley.
Point guard Jason Preuss follows at 13.9 points a game. He’s the short guy on the squad, but is apparently one of its best basketball players.
“He pretty much runs the show,” said Mickle. “He’s supposed to be very quick.”
Cody Kushner is third on the team, averaging 11.3 points a game.
“Oh yeah, it’s going to be a challenge,” said Mickle. “Every time you get in the state playoffs, every game is a big challenge. You’re getting to see the best teams in the state. Anything can happen. You have to come in ready to play, give your best effort and see what happens.”
