Yellowjackets will lean on maturity

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

November 23, 2005 Last Updated: November 23, 2005 12:26 PM High School

BUFFALO TWP — The Freeport boys basketball team did some growing up last season.

The Yellowjackets are hoping that growth will translate into more victories this year.

Freeport finished the season at 10-10 overall and in the middle of the Section 1-AA race, but the squad was loaded with underclassmen who got plenty of playing time.

"We have high expectations for this year," said coach Mike Beale. "I think we've matured this year over last. We were young last year with three sophomores in the lineup."

Brady Sherrieb, Bryan Zimmerman and Nate Kotecki were those three sophomores.

"They gained a lot of confidence on the court, as well as leadership, and feel comfortable in the system," said Beale.

Leading the way was Sherrieb, the team's leading scorer with 11.3 points per game and 35 3-pointers. Senior forward Nick Rutkoski (8.1 ppg) and senior guard A.J. Vidra will also play huge roles in the starting lineup.

"He's our No. 3 guard," said Beale of Vidra. "He's real quick and a great defender and jumps well."

Kotecki averaged 8.2 points per game and kicked in 19 3-pointers, while Zimmerman added 6.2 points per contest.

Look for senior forward Sean Mientus, senior guard Jordan Frantz and junior forwards Chris Tagmyer and Cory Massart to play key roles off the bench.

"(They) have to be just as much of the team as anyone else," said Beale. "They have to ready at any time.

"I noticed our chemistry is remarkable. They hang out together off the court. They're good friends as well as good teammates," Beale added.

The .500 season for the Yellowjackets last year was good considering how young the squad was, but not quite what the team had done in recent years.

"The juniors and seniors have been around here and seen the success of the past," said Beale. "They have the feel of what it takes to get to that point again.

"They have goals as a team to get back into the playoffs. We finished at .500, but won five of our last eight games. They played really well together," Beale added.

With the loss of forwards Chris Plocki (10.1 points per game), Carl Bowser and Ian Kaminski, expect to see the Yellowjackets run up and down the court a bit more this season.

"We're more guard oriented," said Beale. "Obviously, we'll play a lot of pressure defense. We can go eight or nine deep and we'll have to shoot well from the perimeter."

And they'll need to play strong as the section looks to be strong once again.

"We'll definitely be challengers in the section," said Beale. "There's Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette and Burrell, and we hope to compete with them.

"Apollo-Ridge is always solid and West Shamokin is coming off a great year. I don't feel there's an easy game any night of the week.

"We have to come prepared and try and get better every game," Beale added.

FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL

2005-06 Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3-

at Springdale Tip-Off Tournament;

Dec. 6-

at Knoch;

Dec. 9-

at Kittanning;

Dec. 13-

LEECHBURG;