Clarion-Limestone Lions
Head coach: Joe Ferguson
2019-20 Record: 21-6
Playoffs: Beat Otto-Eldred in D9 Class A quarterfinal, 72-58; Lost to Cameron County in D9 Class 1A semifinal, 47-46; Beat A-C Valley in D9 Class A Third Place game, 70-66; Lost to Bishop Carroll in First Round of PIAA Class 1A playoffs, 62-60.
Top returning players: Hayden Callen–Forward–Senior; Jordan Hesdon–Guard–Sophomore
Top players lost: We’re replacing three starters and don’t have any of these positions filled yet. Returning players from last year. Starters we have to replace are Deion Deas, Curvin Goheen, Mitch Knepp
Key newcomers: Key newcomers and potential contributors at the varsity level may be Tommy Smith, John Burke, Riley Klingensmith, and Alex Painter. All players returning from last year have the potential to play at the varsity level. Because we essentially had no summer program and only five official practices, the decision making of who will play is hard to decide. After our first couple of starters things balance out with the remaining players.
Keys to the season: We will generally be playing with a young squad and will need to do some quick learning. Really the key to our season will be how well we can mesh. We will generally be playing with a young squad and will need to do some quick learning. Without the time put in during the offseason, as would
normally be the case, along with only two experienced players coming back, we won’t have the time to see who blends together best. We, of course, are going to rely heavily on Hayden and Jordan, but the other teams already know that and will be defending accordingly. I really believe our role players will be the difference in us competing well, and all players on the floor being unselfish.
Things your team was doing during the COVID-19 pause of winter sports: We are staying in touch while on break and I believe the kids are handling being off very well, despite being suppressed and restricted during this time. If they had their way, and I had mine, we would be playing right now. And without masks on the court. There seem to be far greater hazards breathing wise while attempting to run the court. Ask the ones being forced to do this. The keys to returning to play will be conditioning and having the time to work on the fundamentals. been working on for months! All said we need to get the kids on the court, and have some fun for everyone. All teams are in essentially the same boat.
