Locher filling the net
ADAMS TWP — Christian Locher could have picked a more modest way to begin his senior season.
But then, nothing about his play is modest.
Mars' 6-feet-3 guard scored 48 points in a 74-56 win over Northgate in the opening round of the Keystone Oaks Tip-Off Tournament Dec. 10.
The effort tied the school record for points in a game. Eric Czech also scored 48 against Shannock Valley in 1985.
“I didn't know what the record was,” said Locher. “But after the game, one of the assistant coaches (Paul Rubish) came up to me and said that I had tied the record.
“As far as personal accomplishments go, it's right up there,” he added. “It means a lot to me.”
Locher went on to win the tournament's MVP award after scoring 25 points in the championship game, a 73-66 victory over Seton-LaSalle.
He has come a long way since the 2007-08 campaign, when he was a talented, but raw freshman.
Locher scored 57 points that season, then gave opposing teams headaches by draining 74 three-point goals as a sophomore.
As impressive as his accuracy from beyond the arc was, Locher was not yet a complete player.
That began to change last season.
“We talk to our guys about being able to score from three spots on the floor: from 3-point range, mid-range and at the rim,” said Planets' coach Rob Carmody. “Beginning last year, Christian busted his tail and can now score from all over the place. He is now relentless in attacking the rim and he's rebounding, too.”
Locher averaged 19.5 points last year, many of them coming on drives to the rim.
His ability to penetrate defenses also led to 106 foul shots, of which he made 81 (76.4 percent).
In his record-tying performance against Northgate earlier this month, Locher made one 3-pointer compared to 15 2-point field goals.
“I'm still a very strong 3-point shooter, but I'm also able to beat people off the dribble,” said Locher.
Up until this year, Locher was a familiar face on the summer basketball league scene. But a broken left ankle suffered late in his junior season curtailed those plans.
“I went through the physical therapy and my ankle is fine,” he said. “I don't even think about it any more.”
Locher has several Division II and III schools looking at him, including Slippery Rock University, Pitt-Johnstown, Grove City and Bethany.
Entering Tuesday's game against Hampton, Locher is averaging 24.4 points this season for the Planets (4-1 overall).
“We've got a young team this year and Christian is a great natural leader,” said Carmody. “He's a terrific kid.”
“We have the potential to be great,” said Locher. “We just have to stay focused.”
