December 29-31

Tuesday night at McCaskey for the tournament finales, in the consolation game York defeated West York 65-53. The championship game was decided early on, Lower Merion raced out to a 24-6 lead after one quarter and were never headed in a convincing 70-50 win. Kobe Gantz led JPM with 12 points, reserve guard Jathan Gonzalez was the only other Red Tornado in double figures with 10. We trailed by as much as thirty-one in the third quarter so the guys deserve credit for keeping the score somewhat respectable against one of the best programs in the state. Kobe and Randolph Speller were named to the tournament's all-star team, had we won the game either man may have been named MVP. The club's record stands at 8-2 (both losses in non-league play), the team is back in action on January 5th when we host Manheim Township. Had lunch with Jenny and her mother in Quarryville on Wednesday morning, an errand run on Thursday was the extent of that day's activities. The Royals closed out 2015 on Thursday with the final game of a four-game road trip. In December the club played thirteen games, eleven of them away from home. They earned fourteen of twenty-two possible standings points on the road by going 5-2-4 which is more than acceptable even though it's technically below .500. In January the club plays nine of its fourteen games on home ice, it all starts with a visit from the brand-new Adirondack Thunder for a double-dip on the 2nd and 3rd. Glens Falls, New York has a long history in the AHL (including hosting the Flyers' affiliate from 2009 to 2015), the ECHL franchise came to New York State as part of the AHL's western migration. The Royals have a history against the franchise itself, the (at that time) Stockton Thunder was our opponent when we won the Kelly Cup in 2013. Thanks for reading, everybody, See you in 2016.

December 28

A chilly and windy Monday morning got the new week started, in the evening we were at McCaskey for the opening night of our annual holiday tournament. The first game featured York High (two-time defending District 3 champions) and Lower Merion (perennial District 1 contender from suburban Philadelphia perhaps best known as the alma mater of pro basketball star Kobe Bryant). Lower Merion emerged victorious 58-55, in the nightcap JPM met West York and much like the opener it was a battle all the way. We were up by nine at the quarter and seven at halftime, entering the fourth quarter the lead was at ten. We knew little about West York coming in except that they had just about everybody back from a team that was 18-8 in '14-15, they showed their grit by coming back to tie it in the closing minutes. The Red Tornado was able to pull out the victory 78-73, Kobe Gantz had the big night with 32 points (including 13-of-19 at the line). Randolph Speller had 16, Ricky Cruz 15, Greg Nunez 9, Izaiah Baratta 4 and Skyler Davis 2 to round out the scoring. The win is the club's eighth against one loss and sets up the championship game against Lower Merion which should certainly be a stern test. The consolation game is interesting in itself, it features two teams from neighboring school districts who play in the same league but since they are not division-mates they rarely meet. When I came out after the game there was a light rain falling, with temperatures in the lower 40s I was more than happy to get into the house and warm up. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 23-27

The Tuesday night rain was still with us on Wednesday morning, had lunch with Jenny and her mother in Quarryville. I had asked Jenny if she wanted to open her gift for the "holiday" on this day or wait until Saturday and she chose this day. She didn't ask for anything specific but she liked what she got, she's a women with modest tastes. I have virtually no regard at all for this time of year (my feelings were ruined years ago and it's never come back), if Jenny wasn't a part of my life it wouldn't matter AT ALL. I honestly couldn't care less if I tried (and I have no plans to try) but she cares about it so I make sure she isn't disappointed. In the evening we were back at McCaskey, the boys hosted Penn Manor. The JV squad won 63-46 to stay unbeaten in league play, the varsity followed suit with a 91-62 victory. This game started in a familiar fashion, we were down by two at the quarter and by six at the half. I went back to the locker room at halftime, I wasn't there more than thirty seconds before the meeting broke up and the team returned to the floor. I don't know what was said in the brief time they were in the room but whatever it was got the point across. In the second half the game did a total about-face, we outscored PM 59-24 and won it going away. Ricky Cruz and Greg Nunez tied for game-high honors with 18 points apiece, Randolph Speller had 17 and Kobe Gantz rounded out the double-figures group with 10. The club has won seven straight after an opening loss but the road has had its share of bumps and potholes and the further you go the rougher it gets. The next order of business is our annual holiday tournament on Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th. York, West York and Lower Merion are the entrants and that's about as good a lineup as you could ask for, it should be an excellent test no matter who we draw. The rest of the week and the weekend was uneventful except for another visit with Jenny on Saturday. It was all just as well because the weather here lately has been crazy. We've had off-and-on rain just about every day, on Friday temperatures reached in the 70s. There is more seasonable weather forecast as we approach the new year. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 21-22

Monday morning lunch at the mall, in the afternoon we met up at McCaskey for the bus trip north to Lititz. Over the years Warwick has been one of those PITA programs to play against and a game on their floor is never a picnic, although there is nothing unusual about the gym itself one just never feels quite comfortable there. The JV game was a dogfight in itself, it took two overtime periods for JPM to prevail 47-42. In the varsity game we led by one at the quarter and were tied at halftime, in the third quarter the club asserted itself and took a six-point advantage into the fourth. Down the stretch we were able to pull away for the harder-than-it-looks 68-53 win. Coach Powell used only six players, the four who scored all hit double figures: Kobe Gantz led with 29 (including 14 in that decisive third quarter), Ricky Cruz had 15, Randolph Speller 14 and Greg Nunez added 10. The team's record stays perfect in league play and improves to 6-1 overall, we host Penn Manor on Wednesday in the last league game before the holiday recess. On Tuesday morning my mother had another eye doctor appointment at the health campus, Jenny was in town on business and we got together for lunch at the plaza. Rain moved into the area in the evening, Wednesday is expected to be a dreary day. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 18-20

Friday night hockey in downtown Reading, the Royals at home for the first time in nineteen days. The Elmira Jackals were the opposition in the opener of a weekend doubleheader. The Royals entered the night with a somewhat depleted roster, between injuries and AHL recalls the club had only sixteen healthy skaters (although it's a viable excuse you can't really use it because such things are a fact of life in the ECHL). A standard lineup usually features ten forwards and six defensemen, on this night the Royals had eight of each. As a result both Adam Comrie and Jordan Heywood (defensemen by trade) were taking shifts on the forward line. In the Friday opener the Royals scored first on a goal by rookie Pavel Padakin (on assignment from the Phantoms) but the Jackals netted the next four and carried that lead into the final minutes. Adam Comrie got the Royals within two but an Elmira empty-netter finished it at 5-2, Connor Knapp took the loss in relief of starting goaltender Martin Ouellette. Saw on the Internet where McCaskey won big over Cedar Crest 84-55. I have to admit to being concerned about that game because recent history against CC hasn't been kind to us, it's good to see the guys took care of business head-on and decisively. On Saturday Jenny and her mother missed their first hockey game of the season, the apartment complex had a holiday party and they attended. Jenny wasn't happy to miss the game but they give gifts to children and senior citizens at the party and Helen had to be present or not receive hers (it's usually a gift certificate to the local supermarket which is certainly worthwhile). Since the tickets were available my mother and her friend Norma used them, the first time they have been to a game since October of 2014. This night was the annual Teddy Bear Toss game, I put Jenny's contributions into the collection box when we arrived. Ian Watters scored the "teddy bear" goal six minutes in to give the Royals a 1-0 lead, that one score stood up into the final minute of regulation play. The Jackals pulled the goalie for an extra attacker but Robbie Czarnik found the empty net dead-center with twelve seconds left to clinch the tough 2-0 Royals win. Adam Morrison started in goal and posted his second shutout of the season and the team's fourth overall. The club's mark stands at 13-11-3 (8-5-1 at the Arena), the next home game is on the second day of the New Year. The Royals played nine home games in November but just these two in December, January's schedule features another nine home dates. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 16-17

Had lunch with Jenny on Wednesday morning, in the evening we were at McCaskey for another league crossover game. The Red Tornado hosted Ephrata, in the JV game JPM won easily 74-40. In the varsity contest we led by twelve at the quarter but by halftime the advantage was down to six. In the locker room the coaches reinforced the point of the postgame talk from Monday, in the second half it was just about all McCaskey. JPM led by fifteen at the end of the third quarter and took it home from there, the final was 75-53. Ricky Cruz had a career-high 22 points, Randolph Speller had 16 and Greg Nunez cracked double figures with 10. The win keeps the club spotless in the league at 3-0 and 4-1 overall. The boys are at home on Friday to open divisional play against Cedar Crest and one needs only to review recent history to understand how important that game should be. What follows is not bravado, it is simply the truth: every basketball program we face within our league bases their success against ours. Any time we lose a game to a league opponent that team considers that win a benchmark moment. They could finish the season 1-21 but if that one win was against McCaskey it's a moment that lives forever. This is not a new phenomenon, it has been that way since the league started in 1972. The rest of the league always views McCaskey as the team to beat, even in years when we were not the favorite. The reason is simple: we are the only "city" school district in the county, all the others are suburban/rural-oriented and we are viewed differently for that reason (and that reason alone). At any rate, I am absent on Friday because the Royals are returning home (finally) from a seven-game road trip, a Wednesday night win in Norfolk brought the club's record on the trip to 3-2-2. Thursday was a dark, rainy and depressing day, between my mother's eye appointment in the morning and her knee therapy in the afternoon there was little else happening. I took the books to basketball practice so they will have them in my absence on Friday. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 14-15

Monday afternoon at McCaskey for the fourteen-mile bus ride east to Garden Spot HS in New Holland. The JV squad made its road debut a good one with a 64-51 win, the varsity was victorious as well but it wasn't easy. We played lethargically in the first half and trailed by four at the break, a third-quarter surge put us up by seven heading into the fourth. To their credit Garden Spot never folded their tent, they trailed by two in the closing seconds with a chance to tie the game with two shots at the foul line. Their shooter missed the first attempt, on the purposely-missed second shot one of their men was called for a rebounding foul. Randolph Speller went to the line and made one of two, a desperation GS full-court toss at the buzzer fell short as we escaped (that is the proper word) with a 71-68 decision. JPM had three players in double figures: Kobe Gantz led with 23, Ricky Cruz added 15 and Ran had 11. The team improves to 2-0 in the league and 3-1 overall but in the locker room after the game other topics were discussed. What was said will not be elaborated upon here because the locker room is private but the basic theme was to reinforce the idea that no game or opponent can be taken lightly. The boys are at home on Wednesday to finish the first round of crossover games when they host Ephrata. On Tuesday my mother had an eye appointment at the health campus, it was one of those for which she needed a driver. They changed one of her prescriptions and told her she needs to come back on Thursday morning for a followup. She already has an appointment in the afternoon for therapy on the knee she banged up so it's shaping up to be a full day. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 12-13

Saturday morning lunch with Jenny in Quarryville, in the evening we were back at JPM. Coach Powell is a 1968 graduate of Chester High School, when he became head coach at McCaskey in 1993 his alma mater became a regular non-league opponent thanks to his connections in that community. Chester is a perennially powerful program, over the years our victories against them can be counted on one hand but that's the point of playing a tough non-league schedule. We have Harrisburg and Reading High on the slate in January plus our holiday tournament features York, West York and Lower Merion (not an easy touch to be seen). Some teams play a bunch of nobodies and get six easy wins, at JPM the philosophy is different. This night began with an excellent JV game, the Red Tornado battled to the end but lost 66-61. The varsity game was playoff-caliber and one to remember as JPM scored a huge 74-70 victory. Chester led by four at the quarter but at halftime we held a five-point advantage. That margin grew to nine after the third quarter but Chester showed their quality by forging a tie in the final minute. Kobe Gantz hit the winning bucket with 20 seconds left, two Randolph Speller free throws in the final two seconds sealed the deal. Emotions ran high down the stretch, at one point the game was delayed because Chester claimed objects were being thrown at their bench (building security got it under control quickly). Kobe finished with 27, Ran had 17. Ricky Cruz, Greg Nunez, John Burnside and Skyler Davis each contributed a lucky seven and Izaiah Baratta's two points rounded out the scoring. The club improves to 2-1 overall, the league schedule resumes on Monday with a game at Garden Spot in New Holland. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 11

Friday night hoops at JPM as the league portion of the schedule opened against Elizabethtown, this was the first of six crossover games with opponents from Section II. During the off-season it was announced that the league is realigning for the 2016-17 season. There will be three divisions instead of four with eight teams in each, as a result the crossover format will be abandoned. The league is actually returning to a system that existed from 1975 to 2004, we'll play our seven division-mates twice each (fourteen games) and gain two extra non-league games to round out the season schedule. On this night the JPM JV squad made its season debut with a 64-37 win, in the main event the Red Tornado prevailed 72-59. It was a much better game than many may have anticipated, E-town led by two at the quarter but at halftime we were up seven. In the third quarter JPM widened the margin and brought home the win, in many ways it was reminiscent of the Archbishop Wood game except that this time we came out on the good side. Two players hit double figures, Kobe Gantz had a huge night with 30 points and Randolph Speller added 13. Eight other players broke into the scoring column with single digits as Coach Powell got the entire roster into the game. Before the game began we honored Kobe for scoring his 1000th career point (it happened in March but this was our first home game since). It was Cancer Awareness Night league-wide, the teams wore light green t-shirts in the pregame warmup. A moment of silence was observed for cancer victims, we utilized it to honor Anthony Hunter's memory as well. The club is right back on the floor on Saturday night as they host Chester (never an easy assignment). Take care, thanks for reading.

December 8-10

Tuesday morning: my mother had her car at the service center, while there she tripped on a low step and fell. At first she felt OK but by Wednesday her left knee was throbbing. She made a doctor appointment for Thursday morning, they ordered an x-ray which came back negative. They believe the fall may have triggered her arthritis accounting for the pain, it's just a matter of allowing the jolt to wear off. My mother is 81 years old and she gets around remarkably well but 81 is still 81 no matter where it is. On Tuesday evening I was at McCaskey, the girls basketball team hosted Reading High in their home opener. The girls have only nine home games on the schedule, the other eight are league dates coinciding with the boys. The JV squad lost by five points, the varsity won their game by twenty-seven. The boys basketball program received some terrible news on Sunday, former player Anthony "Dudie" Hunter (class of 2007) lost his life over the weekend at the age of 26. Dudie was a three-year varsity starter at point guard, the program won the league championship all three seasons. On Tuesday the boys had practice before the girls game, Coach Powell was still there when I arrived. He told me that Randolph Speller and Ricky Cruz had agreed to trade uniform numbers. Ran (as a senior and a relative of the Hunter family) wished to wear Dudie's old #11 in his honor for the rest of the season, Ricky had been #11 but surrendered it in exchange for Ran's former #1. The boys are back in action for a weekend double-dip at home, on Friday in the league opener against Elizabethtown and on Saturday when Chester visits. Take care, thanks for reading.

December 5-7

Saturday afternoon at McCaskey as we boarded the bus for the season opener and the start of my 28th year with the program. I was involved during my junior and senior years and for three more seasons after that but I was absent from 1977 to 1988, when I returned in '88 it was literally like coming back home again. On this day the destination was Holy Family University in northeast Philadelphia, we went north on 222 (a familiar road to be sure) to the PA Turnpike, then east for about 65 miles to the next-to-last exit before New Jersey(!!!) and then about two miles south into the Philadelphia city limits. There were three games scheduled beginning at 2:30, we were the middle game at 4:15. Our opponent was Archbishop Wood from suburban Warminster, they are a member of the Philadelphia Catholic League. Wood is a perennially strong program, typical of the non-league opposition we normally face early in the season. JPM trailed by two at the quarter and five at the half but in the third Wood outscored us 27-16 and made that margin stand up for a 75-59 win. Coach Powell used ten players and nine of them scored: Kobe Gantz led with 14, Randolph Speller had 11, Ricky Cruz 8, Izaiah Baratta 7, Juanya Gonzalez 6, William Joseph 5 and Greg Nunez 3 (all except Kobe and Ran were members of the '14-15 JV squad). Newcomers Darin Terrell (3) and Omar Baskerville (2) rounded out the scoring, from what I'm told Omar will play both JV and varsity. The club has off until Friday the 11th when LL league plays at home against Elizabethtown. Not much happening on Sunday or Monday which gave me a chance to get over the stiffness and soreness from the Saturday bus ride (school buses were not built with people my age or size in mind). Take care, thanks for reading.

December 1-4

The rain continued overnight into Tuesday and into Wednesday as well, it didn't clear out for good until late Wednesday evening. It's a good thing we got that game played on Monday, otherwise my prediction of being down until Thursday would have come true. On Tuesday evening the basketball team had a scrimmage at Wilson HS in suburban Reading, I rode along on the bus just for the hell of it. We dropped the junior varsity team at one of Wilson's middle schools for their part of the scrimmage and proceeded to the high school proper, we got started shortly after 6:00 and played until close to 8:00. Right now it looks like Coach Powell is going to carry fourteen players on the varsity roster. We have two returning starters (Kobe Gantz and Randolph Speller), two others with notable varsity experience, five players who played on the JV squad in '14-15, two players returning from a season's absence and three more who are completely new to the program. The club has some nice talent and potential, it's all a matter of how quickly it comes together. On Thursday Jenny's mother Helen had an appointment in town, I took her home and we had our midweek lunch a day later than usual. The Royals began a seven-game road swing on Friday, the club returns home for a double-dip with Elmira on the 18th and 19th. Take care, thanks for reading.