Despite Loss To Wyoming Area,

Tuesday, January 25, 2000     Page: 19

Despite loss to Wyoming Area, Comets clinch first-half championshipThe
Crestwood Comet boys freshmen basketball team recently completed the first
half of league play by capturing the Division 2 first-half championship with a
record of 7-1. Their only loss came to Wyoming Area on Friday. The Comets
have an overall record of 13-3. Thus far, Grant Carter and Stefan Medura are
leading the Comets in scoring. Coach Eric Lawson believes he has one of the
best junior~-high back co~urts in the Wyoming Valley. “I think that Grant
and Stefan are working extremely well together to form a solid back court for
us,” Lawson said. “Stefan does a great job of running the team, and Carter
can flat out score,” Lawson said. Although the back court gets a lot of the
notoriety, Lawson believes the team’s balance and togetherness have
contributed to its recent success. “We have 12 players that come to play
every day and give 100 percent effort. They truly are a pleasurable team to
coach,” Lawson said. Matt Mizikoski, Pat Luchowski and Tom Lyons are the
three other starters for the club, and each makes significant contributions.
“Mizikoski is an athletic, aggressive post player who gives an honest effort
for us every time out. We expect a lot out of Matt, and I sometimes forget he
is only in eighth grade,” Lawson said. “Pat adds scoring and ball-handling
to our lineup, and he plays extremely hard. Tommy Lyons is one of the
hardest-working players we have. Tom has really worked on his game in the off
season, and he adds a lot to our lineup. Plus, he always guards the other
team’s toughest offensive player.” In addition to the starters, who often
are credited, Lawson believes the bench’s role is just as important. Players
like Louis Fouche, John Stravinsky~, Jeff Ward, Jim Martin, Steve Salas and
Brian Stout give the team depth. Unfortunately the team has had to overcome
the loss of Jason Fiore, who was injured in a skiing accident. “Jason was a
great person to have around on our team,” Lawson said. “He added energy,
court sense and a love of the game to our team.” The Comets look forward to
beginning the second half of play with upcoming rival Hazleton Area. The
Comets square off with the Cougars on Saturday at the Heights Terrace
gymnasium. “Hazleton will be a true measure as to how good our team really
is,” Lawson said. “Their junior-high program is the premier basketball
program in the area, and if we can compete with them and handle their
pressure, we will be off to a good second-half start.”