New group of Knights ready for their shot
HERMAN — Forget last year's successes.
Forget the winning record, the 15 wins, the 8-4 section record and the WPIALplayoff victory.
This year's team, which has no players returning from that team, is looking for its own identity.
"This is a fresh, new team," said second-year coach Cliff Guy. "If they learn to play together, we'll have the same success as last year.
"We can't find ourselves looking back and comparing. This is a new crew with different personalities,"Guy added.
What the Knights do have on its team are several football players who enjoyed a winning season and just missed out on qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs.
Senior LaRon Green and junior Terrance Davis were among the most efficient quarterback-receiver tandems in the WPIAL this fall and look to infuse some of that experience onto the team.
"Those players were all-conference in football and both bring a lot of life into our program," said Guy. "We have ninth graders who are very talented. We have Derrick Elliott from Pittsburgh and Matt Vaughen from West Virginia."
This year's squad has a little more height, so it should be stronger on the boards.
"If they feed into the system, we'll, have no problems competing in our conference," said Guy.
"We're still a guard-oriented offense. We have four 6-foot-2 players who can bring the ball up the floor. Davis can run the point and run the fast break. The talent is here. We have the talent to compete," Guy added.
One couldn't argue with last year's results, as the team was one win away from winning the section and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals, defeating Riverview 65-55 in the first round before losing to Carlynton 63-50.
This year's squad has none of that to draw on — just each other.
"We have to focus on what we do here," said Guy. "We, not me, that's the key. There's a brotherhood. So far, so good. The kids have been working hard.
"The key with us is we have to come together in a matter of weeks, not four or five years like other programs.
"If they believe in themselves and with the coaches, we'll be all right."
