Wildcat boys bring back talent from D6 championship team
By John Lipez
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The basketball fortunes have been trending up with the Central Mountain boys’ program over recent years and Wildcat hoop followers are hopeful that trend will continue in the upcoming season. A strong finish to a year ago produced a 14-12 record, the school’s second District 6 championship and the program’s first-ever PIAA playoff win.
While graduation took a toll from that squad, the Wildcats return their two leading scorers in seniors Hayden Pardoe (14.1 points per game) and Jack Hanna (12.9 ppg); Pardoe, measuring in at 6-6 this season, was also the team’s top rebounder last year and Hanna is a 4-year starter; both were Heartland Conference all-stars a year ago.
They will be joined by four fellow letter-winners in seniors Levi Schlesinger and Essex Taylor, junior Brady Myers and sophomore Hunter Hoy. Head coach Tyler Bardo said the six have set the tempo: “Their leadership and the standard they uphold will be what navigates this season for us. We’ve had quality and consistent numbers throughout our offseason dating back to the spring. We’ve seen a lot of growth and development as we’re looking to add depth.”
They are part of a squad of 29, including ninth graders, “working hard” according to coach Bardo. He said the team has “good, focused energy,” adding, “It’s been enjoyable to watch them work together to absorb what’s been taught thus far.”
As for program expectations, the coach was cautious: “Our expectations remain the same in that we will come to practices and games each time looking to apply what we do and how we do it. If we meet those expectations, then our daily goal of being the best version of ourselves will be met.”
The Wildcats are scheduled for a scrimmage at home this Saturday with Hughesville and open the regular season with District 6 foe Bellefonte (the team the Wildcats stunned in the district final last season). The game with the Raiders will be at Bellefonte on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Central Mountain will again be part of the Heartland Conference which has moved back to three divisions. The Wildcats will be competing in HAC-1 alongside Jersey Shore, Shamokin, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, and Milton. District 4/6 opponents remain the same in Hollidaysburg, Bellefonte, Shikellamy and Selinsgrove.
A portion of the squad of 29 will be part of a ninth-grade team which will have its own schedule.
