A-C Valley Falcons
Head coach: Tony McGarvey
2019-20 Record: 16-10
Playoffs: Beat Johnsonburg, 71-65, in D9 Class 1A quarterfinals; Lost to Elk County Catholic, 46-16, in D9 1A semifinals; Lost to Clarion-Limestone, 70-66, in D9 Class 1A consolation game; Lost to Vincentian Academy, 93-63, in PIAA Class 1A first round
Top returning players: Levi Orton (Sr., G, 22.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.3 spg, 1.1 apg, Shot 50.1 percent from the field, Preseason All-District 9 in 2021, First-team All-District 9 in 2020, 1,177 career points), Eli Penny (Sr., G, 7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.6 spg), Tanner Merwin (Sr., G, 5.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.7 spg), Broc Weigle (Sr., F, 3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg off the bench)
Top players lost: Eddie Stevanus (12.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.7 apg, 0.7 bpg), Russ Carr (4.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg)
Key newcomers: Alex Preston (So.), Ryan Cooper (So.), Landon Chalmers (So.) – All three players are big, physical, athletic players who fill in the rest of the holes in the lineup with their defense, rebounding, and hustle.
Keys to the season: To be able to simply compete and play games. This team knows that each time they step on the court, they are embracing that moment, not knowing the certainty of tomorrow and being kicked out of the gym.
Things your team is doing during the COVID-19 pause of winter sports: The guys were happy to be back together (since we didn’t start until Dec. 7 and before the latest stoppage) and in the gym for five practices; working harder than ever, all while maintaining the safety protocols to not jeopardize themselves, their teammates, or their season. Since we got shut down, the school previously set me up with a Google Classroom. The keys to a safe return will be conditioning and fundamentals, as these players mostly have been sitting idle a week after our last PIAA playoff game back in March.
