Coach Kettel invites you to ‘Meet the Lions’

FACTORYVILLE - Last year, the Lackawanna Trail Lions High School basketball team wowed fans by finishing with a Division III second half championship and an overall record of 16-10. This December, the team is inviting everyone to come out as they usher in what they hope will be another successful season.

The Lions will host their second annual Meet the Lions night, Thursday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. at Lackawanna Trail High School. The event is one of the team’s big fundraisers for the year.

“We did it for the first time last year and it was a fun night,” said Trail head Coach Andrew Kettel.

“It’s like what some of the college teams do with their mid-night madness. It’s a pep-rally that gives students and the community a chance to see the players, and it gives the players some excitement and energy as they start the season.”

The Lions’ season begins the next day, Friday, December 5, when they host Tunkhannock, and after training and conditioning for the preseason, coach Kettel says the release of the night is just what they need.

“The guys on the team work hard all season, but that first month of practice is really a bear. So, something like this is nice to pump up their energy,” said Kettel. “We had a good turnout last year and I’m hoping this year we get even more students and people from the community to come out.”

Admission to the event is $2 for adults and $1 students. Guests will be treated to a DJ, three-point contest, door prizes, performances by the school band and cheerleaders, a chance to meet the players and to watch the alumni game.

“We’re working right now on trying to get some of the alumni together for a game. At first they were going to play the players, but I don’t want anybody getting hurt, I don’t want to lose my star player. So we’ll have two teams play each other,” said Kettel.

“We wanted to do it last year, somebody came up with the idea, but they came up with it a week before the night, so we waited ’til this year. I think it’s neat to be able to bring the alumni back.”

Doors for event open at 6:30 p.m., with the alumni game starting at 7 p.m. Coach Kettel said the school is still looking for alumni who would like to play; anyone interested can email the coach at Andrew@coachkettel.com.

And if you can’t make it to Meet the Lions night, on Thursday, Dec. 4, the team has a number of other fundraisers coming up, including Family Fun Night at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center, on Friday, Nov. 7, $5 for adults, $3 for children. Entertainment will be provided by magician and juggler The Illusion Maker.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, the team will hold the Trail Basketball Brunch at Gin’s in Factoryville, at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for students ages eight and up.

Tryouts for the team are Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 17 and 18. For more information on the team, upcoming fundraisers, or the 2008-2009 schedule, visit the team’s page at www.coachkettel.com.

AJ Sports

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