CM Boys Hoops: League MVP Jones Returns
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – The Central Mountain boys basketball team took some graduation hits from a year ago, but the Wildcats return one blue-chipper in 6-4 senior Collin Jones.
Jones blossomed in his junior year, earning co-MVP honors in the Heartland Conference as he averaged 18.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, in addition to blocking 21 shots. He will be surrounded by three letter-winners from a year ago in guards Jacob Skrtich and Tanner Lavelle and wingman JT Pentz. Additionally 6-4 junior Zane Probst is on the team this season after sitting out a year ago.
Head coach Tyler Bardo is back for his second year at the helm. His first year’s team finished 12-11, the Heartland Conference title and earned him conference coach of the year honors. Ask Bardo about team strengths for the upcoming season and he responds by saying, “We have a group with size, length, and athleticism. In addition, this is a group that understands its potential and the work it will take to maximize it.”
While the Wildcats are working with a high school group of 17 players, Bardo said a concern is overall team experience in the early going.
The head coach offered a conservative response when asked about expectations: “Simply find ways to improve every day. We expect attention to detail at both ends of the floor and to play each game one possession at a time. If we can maintain that collective focus then we expect to compete every night.”
The Wildcats will be on the road a lot in December. They open at Bellefonte this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and are scheduled to travel to new Heartland Conference foe Danville on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The Ironman are expected to be a strong addition to the Heartland’s big school division. The road trip will continue at another likely conference challenger, Shamokin, on Friday, Dec. 14. Home opener will not be until Thursday, Dec. 20 with Mifflinburg.
