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Dealing with unexpected loss

First Posted: 3/9/2015 One and done. The outcome was unfamiliar for Wyoming Valley Conference boys basketball teams this season.
For the first time since the 2000-01 season, no WVC boys teams advanced to the second round of the PIAA tournament. The conference entered states shorthanded, with only two of District 2&#8217;s eight state berth.
GAR lost 35-32 to Manheim Central. The next day, Holy Redeemer fell 64-56 to Trinity. Season over for everybody.
The 2015-16 season could be different. The prevailing theory around the WVC was the conference was in a transition season &#8212; talented, but not experienced enough for the rigors of the postseason.
So while the door closes on one season, here&#8217;s a peek at next season. This season&#8217;s overall records are in parentheses.
Berwick (8-15): This was a watershed season for the Dawgs, who proved they weren&#8217;t going to be pushovers any longer. Five losses by five points or less prevented their first double-digit victory season since 2005-06. Four starters will return, including Division I all-star Tyler Evans. The future looks bright.
Coughlin (8-15): Except for leading scorer Damian Clark, all the major contributors will be back for next season. The Crusaders lost eight of their last 10 games, with three losses by four points or less, perhaps a sign they needed another year of seasoning. But the eight wins equalled the total of the past two seasons combined. Next season could result in their first over .500 record since 2009-10.
Crestwood (21-4): Crestwood won the WVC Division I title for a second consecutive season, but once again were upset by the seventh seed in the District 2 Class 3A playoffs. Division I MVP Cole Wasco and Division I all-star Jason Dotzel will be difficult to replace. Still, the Comets will be a veteran team next season with five regulars back for their senior year. A three-peat is quite possible.
GAR (21-6): GAR won its third consecutive WVC Division III crown, but divisional co-MVP Seth Callahan, divisional all-star forward Greg Skrepenak Jr., rim protector Nigebo Francis and sixth man Rashaun Jackson will all be gone. That leaves guard Dajon Rush as the only returning starter, although 3-point ace Tino Altavilla, forward Marquan Kemp and swingman Justin Crosby-Smith did start at times. The Grenadiers won&#8217;t be as strong as this season, but should defend their title well.
Dallas (4-19): Many coaches felt Dallas could contend for the WVC Division I championship. Those preseason accolades seemed a bit overblown and it showed on the court as the Mountaineers won just one divisional game. They won just once after the New Year, defeating Coughlin 54-52. Dallas will be losing four seniors, including leading scorer and big man Allen Fell. However, five players who gained varsity experience will be back.
Hanover Area (15-9): This was the target season for the Hawkeyes, who were favored to win the WVC Division II title with a senior-heavy lineup. But a pair of two-point losses at the end dashed those hopes. Six seniors, including divisional all-star and 1,000-point scorer Jake Barber, will be missing next season. Sophomore Brandon Chafin will be the only returning starter. Junior Nick Minich is the only reserve who will return with significant varsity minutes.
Hazleton Area (20-6): The Cougars were gutted by graduation yet still played for the WVC Division I and D2-4A championships. They lose three major parts to the backcourt, but should be contenders once again in 2015-16. Junior forward Bobby Planutis went from an unknown to a divisional all-star. He, his brother Shane and a solid group of returning players should be able to maintain Hazleton Area&#8217;s annual success.
Holy Redeemer (19-8): After a rough start, the Royals won the WVC Division III title and posted their most wins in five seasons. The guard trio of divisional co-MVP Darius Washington, all-star Len Radziak and Jerry Busch was the focal point of the offense. Those three are done, as is undersized but tenacious forward Justin Renfer. Center John Carr is the only starter back, but he was more of a rebounder/defender. Sixth man Sal Aiello will probably slide into a starting role.
Lake-Lehman (10-13): The Black Knights will be losing four seniors from their rotation, including Division II all-star Mike Symeon. Junior big man Connor McGovern was second on the team in scoring, but he&#8217;s a major college football recruit and sometimes guys don&#8217;t want to risk injury in their secondary sport. The building blocks next season will include juniors Ben Brooks, Jacob Corey and Tyler Long and sophomore Cole Spencer. All have varsity experience.
Meyers (16-8): Meyers had its string of five consecutive WVC Division III titles ended this season. The Mohawks, though, will return some quality players including junior center Ryan Wasley, athletic junior forward Raheem Twyman, junior starting guard Simran Mangat and freshman defensive standout Omar Kelly. But replacing divisional co-MVP Shahee Aurelus will be quite difficult. He was excellent at steering the ship.
MMI Prep (11-14): Once again, coach Joe Flanagan did an excellent job with District 2&#8217;s smallest school. The Preppers were a handful of points from finishing above .500, including a double-overtime loss to Division III champion Holy Redeemer. The biggest hole going into next season will be scoring as four-year starter Cory Rogers will be gone. He&#8217;s been the top offense threat throughout his career. However, MMI will have plenty of experience on the roster next season.
Nanticoke (17-7): The Trojans could be the Division II favorites next season. They&#8217;ll miss senior Matt Winters, but divisional co-MVP Scott Stout, center Brent Piontkowski, point guard Ed Lukowski and perimeter shooter Ben Sersen return. The sophomore class has about four players who should be solid contributors in 2015-16, including returning starting forward Justin Casey. On paper, the Trojans look strong. On court, we&#8217;ll wait and see.
Northwest (0-23): The season got off on the wrong foot when former Nanticoke star Paul Guffrovich quit as coach before ever coaching a game. Former girls coach Joe Stepanski grabbed the wheel and the ride was far from smooth. With Mitchell Stepanski the only senior on the team, the Rangers relied heavily on their sophomore class. The results were predictable as Northwest lost 20 games by 20 or more points. The on-the-job training, though, could end up a blessing.
Pittston Area (10-13): After Division I all-star Tyler McGarry late in the season, fellow senior Michael Delaney picked up the slack offensively. Those two along with three other seniors were the core of the team. However, the cupboard won&#8217;t be completely bare next season. Freshman guard Alex McAndrew started and looks like he has a bright future. Big men Pat Mitchell and Colin Smith and guard Jordan Black will also bring experience.
Tunkhannock (13-11): Division I all-star Austin Yanora has been one of the WVC&#8217;s best guards the past three seasons and will be difficult to replace. Junior Tony Maloney had a strong season and will probably be the top weapon next season. First-year coach Scott Pagnotti went young with freshmen Sean Harder and Evan Turner seeing time. The Tigers looked like a team that would finish a few games of either side of .500 and that&#8217;s where they ended up.
Wyoming Area (5-18): The Warriors snapped a 29-game losing streak early in the season. Five wins might not seem like much, but remember the program was 9-104 over its previous five seasons. There will be a big void as big-time scorer Jeremy Zezza will be gone along with Evan Musto, the Warriors&#8217; second-leading scorer. First-year coach Pete Moses used plenty of sophomores and freshmen who will be the building blocks the next few years.
Wyoming Seminary (4-17): Junior Patrick Ganter, a Division III all-star, was clearly the Blue Knights&#8217; best player. Senior Aaron Raughley, a Pleasant Valley transfer, was a welcome addition. The rest of the team, though, was inexperienced and it showed throughout the season. The offense didn&#8217;t have a true third option after Ganter and Raughley, so scoring could be an issue next season.
Wyoming Valley West (6-17): Coach George Reimiller said in the preseason the team would be rebuilding after losing its top six scorers. He was right as Bailey Ryneski was the only senior with significant minutes. Three sophomores &#8212; Sean Judge, Noah Frace and Aaron Austin &#8212; logged plenty of court time as did junior Tyler Yankosky and freshman Draig Cooley-Ruff. Four of the victories were by five points or less, including a pair of one-point wins.

WVC boys basketball was season of transition