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By TOM HOUSENICK; Times Leader Sports Writer
 Friday, June 14, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





HARRISBURG -- Since Wyoming Valley West High School opened its doors in
1967, the nine communities that make up the school district have argued about
a lot of things. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Academics or athletics, it didn't matter. There have been few visible signs
of unity among the neighboring towns for nearly three decades. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For the past two weeks, however, the Spartan baseball team, made up of
players from the various communities, showed just how easy it is. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Team chemistry, as much as talent, helped coach Jerry Storz's team reach
the PIAA Class AAA championship game for the first time in school history. In
fact, no Valley West sports team had won a playoff game outside of District 2
before this spring. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Spartan baseball team fell short of the ultimate prize, losing 5-2 to
North Allegheny on Thursday at RiverSide Stadium. "We have nothing to be
disappointed about," said senior first baseman Kevin Miller, a Swoyersville
resident. "It's tough to take right now, but we all gave 100 percent." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Shortly after mustering up those two sentences, Miller began to sob. He
felt sick. He felt responsible for the loss. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Just a few feet away, senior catcher Mike Stevenson, the Spartans' biggest
player at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, was fighting back the tears for the same
reasons that had overcome Miller. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is really tough," the Larksville resident said. "We had a heckuva
year just to get here." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Stevenson spoke of the team's accomplishments, not his own. That attitude
has embodied this Valley West team. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Right now, everybody hurts," said coach Jerry Storz, a Luzerne resident,
whose son, Pat, is the team's shortstop. "The kids never quit. They worked
their butts off all year and overcame a lot to get here." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Spartans overcame plenty on the field, indeed, needing extra innings in
two of their three state playoff victories, including a 10-inning thriller
over Bethlehem Catholic on Tuesday in the Eastern final. But they've had to
overcome the past, as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When things have gone bad in a particular game, whether it be football,
basketball or baseball, the barking starts, mostly from adults. There is no
waiting for the proverbial Monday morning quarterback. Patience has never been
a strong suit for Spartan faithful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At times during this year's baseball playoff run, there has been some
complaining. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the team drowned out the nonsense and focused on winning as a unit
instead of being a team of individuals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Back in the fall, we were all joking around. We talked about how we were
going to make it to the state championship game," Edwardsville's Rich
Kerpovich said, managing a smile at the thought of happier times. "We believed
all year that we could get the job done." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Spartans fall a little short &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Page 1B &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/LEWIS GEYER &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wyoming Valley West pitcher Rich Kerpovich is consoled Thursday after
walking off the mound in the sixth inning in the game against North Allegheny
for the PIAA Class AAA baseball championship. The Spartans lost 5-2. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wvw Loses, Unity Wins Baseball Team Falls Just Short Of State Title