Coach still optimistic about boys team

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

November 28, 2005 Last Updated: November 28, 2005 01:02 PM High School

BUTLER TWP — He has yet to have a winning season and two would-be starters already are sidelined with knee injuries.

But fourth-year Butler boys basketball coach Joe Lewandowski is as optimistic as ever.

"The job becomes easier as each year goes by," Lewandowski said. "I've had this year's seniors since they were freshmen.

"We're all on the same page now. They know what to expect from me and I know what to expect from them."

Butler hasn't had a winning season since 1999-2000, when the Golden Tornado lost to Penn Hills in the WPIAL Class AAA championship game.

Senior guard Noah Hartung, among the team's leaders in points, assists, rebounds and steals last year, won't be available until mid-January at the earliest after having major knee surgery in mid-October.

Junior Sean Lowry, a 6-foot-5 forward who saw varsity time off the bench last year, presumably is out for the year after having surgery to repair a torn ACL.

"Sean Lowry may end up being a Division I player and Noah is probably our most versatile player," Lewandowski said. "But it's better that we learned of their situations before we even had our first practice.

"We've had time to adjust. What this does is open up a lot of varsity minutes. The opportunity is there for others to step up and take advantage."

And there are plenty of others.

From sophomores through seniors, Lewandowski has 30 players on the roster.

"That's what it's all about," he said. "We have kids who want to play basketball. We've got the numbers."

Two returning starters for the Tornado are senior point guard Blake Anderson (9 ppg.) and 6-4 senior forward Jade Burka (8 ppg., 5 rpg.)

Rounding out the starting five could be almost anybody.

Seniors Alan Jackson, Adam Monday and Nick Martini all saw varsity playing time at guard last year. Monday has seen varsity minutes each year of his high school career.

"In terms of experience, we're deeper at guard than we are at forward," Lewandowski admitted.

Leading candidates to see time at forward include sophomores Cody Fleeger and Mike Pratkanis, senior Josh Marchinoski and juniors Jace Lumley, Jereme Buffington and Aaron Dorondo.

"Honestly, it's wide open," Lewandowski said. "I don't even know who's going to be varsity and junior varsity right now. All of that stuff will play itself out.

"We play Albert Gallatin in the first round of the Laurel Highlands Tournament (Friday). We'll find out where we're at real quick."

Lewandowski said Butler plays eight of the top 10 teams in WPIAL Class AAA this year.

"We'll play some of them twice because they're in our section," Lewandowski said. "But we always want to play the best competition we can. We want to measure ourselves against the best."

Chris Anthony, a senior guard also vying for playing time, is a team captain. Brian DeAngelis and Herb Klann are two more guards who could enter the mix.

"Not having Noah and Sean, we're going to have to make up for that rebounding as a team," Anthony said. "We're gonna have to move quicker and make good decisions with the ball.

"I still think we have enough talent here to make a run at the section. We just have to sort it all out.

"Nobody's down (because of the injuries). I mean, we're going to miss those guys, but everybody wants a chance to prove himself and everybody has it," Anthony added.

Lewandowski views North Allegheny as the team to beat in the section.

"Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley have everybody back and New Castle is always good," he said. "Shaler lost a lot, but Howie Ruppert is such a good coach that you can't count them out.

"Our goals never change. Win the WPIAL and go after a state championship. You can never sell yourself short."

BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL 2005-06 Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3-

at Laurel Highlands Tournament;

Dec. 6-

at Altoona;

Dec. 8-

CENTRAL CATHOLIC;

Dec. 10-

at Connellsville;

Dec. 12-

PLUM;