College basketball legend Dick Vitale calls them ‘Diaper Dandies.’
He’s referring to the best of the best of the freshman class in college basketball.
Well, at the high school level in District 9 this season, their are a number of ‘Diaper Dandies’ who are having a significant impact in the early portion of the season.
Let’s start at Bradford, where youngster Andy Pantuso has been charged with running the show for coach Brian Hobbs’ Owls.
Not only has he done that, but he also leads the team in scoring at 13.8 ppg. and has scored in double figures in five of his team’s six games. The Owls are a modest 3-3 on the young season, but all of those losses have come against high-end competition (Olean, DuBois Central Catholic, Warren). They appear to be much improved from last season and only look to get better.
Venturing up the road to Duke Center, Camryn Thomas is having an equally significant impact for the unbeaten Otto-Eldred girls.
First-year head coach Barb Close is relying on a number of freshman, with Thomas leading the way. She recorded a double-double in the Lady Terrors’ most recent win, an 85-71 win over Galeton. Through five games, she is averaging 10.0 ppg., third on the team.
Making the trip over to Potter County, we have Coudersport youngster Jared Green.
Green is leading the 3-1 Falcons in scoring at 14.5 ppg. and has already recorded a pair of double-doubles.
It’s part of a youth movement for the Falcons, as Green is teaming with sophomore guard Zach Layag for a pretty nice 1-2 combination.
A couple things to consider here.
First of all is that all these teams have had varying degrees of success. Second, more than the numbers themselves, every one of the players I mentioned above passes the proverbial ‘eye test.’ I’ve had the opportunity to watch them all and have been impressed with all of them. And Lastly, they all fit in well with their teammates.
Sometimes its not easy for an upperclassmen to cede some of the spotlight to a young player, but everyone seems to have bought in and all three of the teams I mentioned above appear poised for successful seasons.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some other freshmen who have taken on significant roles. They include Haley Keck (Coudersport) and Trinity Clark (Kane) on the girls side and Andy Breier (Ridgway) on the boys side.
I can’t elaborate on these three as much, because I have yet to see them play in person, but from what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen in terms of their numbers, they certainly add to what’s already an impressive list of area freshman.
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The holiday tournaments are rapidly approaching and some of the pairings promise to provide some entertaining games.
The IAABO Boys Large School field will see Bradford take on Olean and Warren battle Maine-Endwell. The interesting thing about this is the Owls have the opportunity to play one and possibly two of the teams that have handed them early-season losses. It will be interesting to see how they play the second time around.
On the girls side, Bradford will see St. Bonaventure commit McKenna Maycock and Randolph, with Allegany-Limestone and Olean in the other game.
Over in Port Allegany, the boys tournament will feature Smethport vs. Galeton and the host Gators against Austin.
The Port Allegany girls will try and once again claim the tournament title, as they face off with Austin, while Galeton plays Smethport.
The Port Allegany tournaments are Friday and Saturday, with the IAABO scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Check back next week, as we will post full tournament pairings and times.
