Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Great Great news!!!
In this picture is Old Forge's Kiel Eigen. Eigen is working getting back on his feet, and in this picture you can see that he is well on his way. Continue to keep Kiel in your thoughts and prayers. He inspires us everyday, and as it looks, there is no doubt he will walk again.
A long, long time ago....
At the risk of embarrassing myself, here is a picture of me with my surrogate family while growing up on Lincoln Street.
I would say I am anywhere between 7-9 years old.... Don't you just love the shirt?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
For two years, the potential of a group of underclassmen had Old Forge girls’ coaches, players and fans smiling from ear-to-ear on the endless possibilities for the Blue Devils program.
Last year that potential started turning into victories, and when those victories kept piling up at the end of the season during the district and state playoffs, the basketball community in Old Forge knew this team was starting to realize those years of potential.
Led by second-team AP All-State selection Kim Kaville, the Blue Devils tied a school record with 19 wins, finished third in the Lackawanna League Division II, won the District 2 Class 1A title for the first time in 16 years, and advanced to the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Semifinals for just the second time in school history.
This season, the core group of players that put Old Forge back on the local girls’ basketball map are back – and they mean business.
The Blue Devils opened the season yesterday afternoon against Wyoming Area as they looked to defend their second consecutive Marseco Memorial title, and will face a bigger challenge in two weeks when the open the LLD2 slate against the two teams that finished ahead of them in 2007-08, Valley View and Dunmore.
In order to contend with the two division heavyweights, the Old Forge will need to continue to improve as they have the past two years, and play with a passion that was seen at times during last season.
And that all starts with Kaville.
The 5-foot-9 junior post player is a brute force inside for the Blue Devils with her raw energy and athletic play. Sometimes that style hurts her with foul trouble, but if she can learn to bottle it up and continue to get better, she could be the unstoppable player Old Forge has lacked since the days of the mid 1990s.
Kaville earned all-state honors last year by being the Blue Devils best player during a run in which they won two state playoff games. The LLD2 first-team all star scored 60 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in three PIAA games. Kaville averaged 14.5 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
She has scored 674 career points and with another solid season could surpass the 1,000-point mark by the end of the season.
But Kaville isn’t Old Forge’s only option on offense. Sarah Fife is also within reaching the 1,000-point mark with 643 career points. She would need to average 16.2 points over the Blue Devils 22 regular-season games to get to the mark. Should both reach the mark this season, it would be the first time in school history the girls’ program would have two 1,000-point scorers in the same season.
Fife, a 5-foot-6 forward, was Old Forge’s leading scorer for her first two varsity seasons before giving way to Kaville last season. The senior averaged just under seven points per game last season, and was third on the team in rebounding with 63 and in steals with 31. She also made eight three-pointers. The Blue Devils will look to its only senior for leadership and the scrappy play she has become known for.
The rest of the starting lineup will feature juniors Aleca Semenza, Chrissy Belko and Jess Armillay.
Semenza started for the first time last season and was Old Forge’s top three-point threat last season and was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 26 triples and led the team with 55 steals. Semenza was also second on the team with 32 assists and fourth in rebounding with 56.
Belko runs the show from the point, and has since her freshman season. The 5-foot-7 guard handed out a team-high 65 assists last season while scoring just 118 points. Despite being the team’s point guard, Belko was second on the team in rebounds with 78. She was also third on the team in steals with 35 and made seven triples on the season.
Armillay was a spot starter last season as a sophomore and was at her best coming off the bench. But she returns this season as a full-time starter and the Blue Devils designated defensive stopper. The fiery 5-foot-6 guard can also play the point, but will be called upon to ignite the Old Forge defense with her aggressive style of play. Armillay scored just 61 points in 28 games last season, but managed to grab 44 rebounds, hand out 14 assists and make 11 steals.
Unlike in past seasons, Head Coach Tom Gatto will have some solid contributors to bring off the bench allowing the Blue Devils to not miss a beat when one of the Fab Five comes off the floor.
Gatto will have four reliable subs to bring in with sophomores Andi Alsalahat, Lindsey Regan, Nicole Marianelli and Dana Bilski.
Alsalahat gave the Blue Devils a boost late in the season as a reliable ball handler and outside shooter. But the 5-foot-9 guard could also play inside and give Old Forge another solid post defender. Regan and Bilski will also give the Blue Devils some inside depth.
Marianelli gives Old Forge a shooting guard off the bench with some size at 5-foot-7 that is capable of burying the long-range shot.
All told, the Blue Devils have 17 players on the roster – a major step up from last season’s 13 that had some varsity players playing in two games a night. Another solid group of six freshmen, along with six sophomores will provide Old Forge with a base of players to keep the program moving in the right direction.
The cupboard is stocked with talent, and the table is set for this to be one of the greatest seasons of girls’ basketball season in school history. The Blue Devils sure look ready to take care of business.
Last year that potential started turning into victories, and when those victories kept piling up at the end of the season during the district and state playoffs, the basketball community in Old Forge knew this team was starting to realize those years of potential.
Led by second-team AP All-State selection Kim Kaville, the Blue Devils tied a school record with 19 wins, finished third in the Lackawanna League Division II, won the District 2 Class 1A title for the first time in 16 years, and advanced to the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Semifinals for just the second time in school history.
This season, the core group of players that put Old Forge back on the local girls’ basketball map are back – and they mean business.
The Blue Devils opened the season yesterday afternoon against Wyoming Area as they looked to defend their second consecutive Marseco Memorial title, and will face a bigger challenge in two weeks when the open the LLD2 slate against the two teams that finished ahead of them in 2007-08, Valley View and Dunmore.
In order to contend with the two division heavyweights, the Old Forge will need to continue to improve as they have the past two years, and play with a passion that was seen at times during last season.
And that all starts with Kaville.
The 5-foot-9 junior post player is a brute force inside for the Blue Devils with her raw energy and athletic play. Sometimes that style hurts her with foul trouble, but if she can learn to bottle it up and continue to get better, she could be the unstoppable player Old Forge has lacked since the days of the mid 1990s.
Kaville earned all-state honors last year by being the Blue Devils best player during a run in which they won two state playoff games. The LLD2 first-team all star scored 60 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in three PIAA games. Kaville averaged 14.5 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
She has scored 674 career points and with another solid season could surpass the 1,000-point mark by the end of the season.
But Kaville isn’t Old Forge’s only option on offense. Sarah Fife is also within reaching the 1,000-point mark with 643 career points. She would need to average 16.2 points over the Blue Devils 22 regular-season games to get to the mark. Should both reach the mark this season, it would be the first time in school history the girls’ program would have two 1,000-point scorers in the same season.
Fife, a 5-foot-6 forward, was Old Forge’s leading scorer for her first two varsity seasons before giving way to Kaville last season. The senior averaged just under seven points per game last season, and was third on the team in rebounding with 63 and in steals with 31. She also made eight three-pointers. The Blue Devils will look to its only senior for leadership and the scrappy play she has become known for.
The rest of the starting lineup will feature juniors Aleca Semenza, Chrissy Belko and Jess Armillay.
Semenza started for the first time last season and was Old Forge’s top three-point threat last season and was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 26 triples and led the team with 55 steals. Semenza was also second on the team with 32 assists and fourth in rebounding with 56.
Belko runs the show from the point, and has since her freshman season. The 5-foot-7 guard handed out a team-high 65 assists last season while scoring just 118 points. Despite being the team’s point guard, Belko was second on the team in rebounds with 78. She was also third on the team in steals with 35 and made seven triples on the season.
Armillay was a spot starter last season as a sophomore and was at her best coming off the bench. But she returns this season as a full-time starter and the Blue Devils designated defensive stopper. The fiery 5-foot-6 guard can also play the point, but will be called upon to ignite the Old Forge defense with her aggressive style of play. Armillay scored just 61 points in 28 games last season, but managed to grab 44 rebounds, hand out 14 assists and make 11 steals.
Unlike in past seasons, Head Coach Tom Gatto will have some solid contributors to bring off the bench allowing the Blue Devils to not miss a beat when one of the Fab Five comes off the floor.
Gatto will have four reliable subs to bring in with sophomores Andi Alsalahat, Lindsey Regan, Nicole Marianelli and Dana Bilski.
Alsalahat gave the Blue Devils a boost late in the season as a reliable ball handler and outside shooter. But the 5-foot-9 guard could also play inside and give Old Forge another solid post defender. Regan and Bilski will also give the Blue Devils some inside depth.
Marianelli gives Old Forge a shooting guard off the bench with some size at 5-foot-7 that is capable of burying the long-range shot.
All told, the Blue Devils have 17 players on the roster – a major step up from last season’s 13 that had some varsity players playing in two games a night. Another solid group of six freshmen, along with six sophomores will provide Old Forge with a base of players to keep the program moving in the right direction.
The cupboard is stocked with talent, and the table is set for this to be one of the greatest seasons of girls’ basketball season in school history. The Blue Devils sure look ready to take care of business.
For the past five seasons the Old Forge boys’ basketball program has been about star power.
Led by stars Jared Yanniello, Stephen Semenza, Jim DeStefano, Kyle McMyne, Mark Alexander, and JJ Thomas the Blue Devils went 111-28 with three Lackawanna League Division III titles, two District 2 Class 1A titles, and three state playoff appearances with a bunch of role players filling in when needed.
Led by stars Jared Yanniello, Stephen Semenza, Jim DeStefano, Kyle McMyne, Mark Alexander, and JJ Thomas the Blue Devils went 111-28 with three Lackawanna League Division III titles, two District 2 Class 1A titles, and three state playoff appearances with a bunch of role players filling in when needed.
Those role players are now in the spotlight.
Forced to take a backseat during this century’s Golden Age of Old Forge Basketball, seniors Matt Rava, Anthony Koulavongsa and Corey Hodick are ready for action.
The trio will lead a team that has no returning stars and will feature a balance of youth and inexperience as the Blue Devils try to make their own mark among the past great teams.
Rava will take the court as Head Coach Al Semenza’s only returning starter from last season’s District 2 Class 1A championship team. The 5-foot-7 point guard starter every game last season as a junior and finished second on the team in assists with 75. Rava averaged 4.6 points per game and shot almost 44 percent from the field. He will be asked to shoulder more of a scoring load this season for the Blue Devils while not turning the ball over. Rava is the Blue Devils top returning three-point threat, making 16 in 2007-08.
Hodick returns after playing in 26 games as a reserve guard last season and has the ability to be one of the focal points in the Old Forge offense this season. The lanky 6-foot-2 shooter can score in bunches given the opportunity – and he should get that opportunity once he returns full-strength from a knee energy suffered during the District 2 Class 1A football title game. Hodick scored almost four points a game in a limited role off the bench and shot 75 percent from the free-throw line last season. He was also solid rebounder off the bench with almost three per game and made 11 triples for the Blue Devils.
Koulavongsa played limited minutes in 25 games last season, but the forward is ready to burst onto the scene in his final season. The 6-foot-2 has a soft touch inside the paint – demonstrated by his 55 percent field goal percentage last season. Koulavongsa was also lights out at the charity stripe as a junior, draining 11-of-12 attempts on the season. With a quick first step to the basket, the Blue Devils will try to get the first-year starter the ball as often as possible to give them an inside scoring threat they rarely have.
Semenza will then rely on a mix of players after those three, including guards Mike Avvisato and Tony Goodall, to fill out the lineup which has yet to be set for the upcoming season.
Avvisato, a 5-foot-6 junior, played in 18 games last season, scoring 25 points with six three-pointers. The gutsy lefty is a threat to score from beyond the arc and gives the Blue Devils an emotional spark with his hustling defensive play.
Goodall is just a sophomore but was the leading scorer on last season’s freshman team that won the Lackawanna League Division II crown and advanced to the D2 playoffs. At 5-foot-10, Goodall can shoot the ball for three, but is also not afraid to take the ball to the hoop. Don’t be surprised if he – along with Koulavongsa – has a breakout season. He will begin the season as one of the Blue Devils off guards, but he can also play the point if needed.
Seniors Gabe Wilson and Matt Mischello will also be asked to step up their play this season as Semenza looks for reliable players who can start or come off the bench.
Wilson is a slender 6-foot-4 center who can give opponents matchup problems with his size inside on offense, and as a rebounder and shot blocker on defense. With the right attitude the first-year varsity contributor could be a major factor in the Blue Devils defending their two-year run as district champs.
Mischello is a 5-foot-10 slashing guard who can take the ball to the hoop. He will provide depth at the position and should be able to give Old Forge some quality minutes. But he and Wilson are being pushed by a group of underclassmen who are hungry to play.
Junior Ryan Janesko and sophomores Dom Avvisato and Mario Martinelli are pushing for varsity minutes and have been given a look with the first-team during the preseason.
Janesko is a 6-foot-2 center and plays in the mold of a typical Old Forge big man. He is a banger underneath and will be relied upon to rebound and do the little things Semenza usually asks from his post players.
Avvisato, standing at 6-foot-1 has been used both inside and outside during the preseason. Strictly a forward last season, Avvisato will provide depth as a small forward and possibly a swing player. He – as with most of the Old Forge role players – will be asked to rebound, play defense, and score garbage points inside while knocking down an occasional outside shot.
Martinelli is the only other true point guard on the roster besides Rava. The 5-foot-6 floor
general will be asked to lead the offense should Rava get into foul trouble. Martinelli plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and can make plays. If on the floor, he will be asked to limit turnovers and get the ball to the Old Forge scorers.
The Blue Devils have a host of players that are capable of helping this team make its mark – including a bunch of sophomores that were part of a championship team last season as freshmen.
The question will be whether the veterans returning can run with the torch that has been passed to them by the previous teams.
Let’s hope they are ready for action.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Devil Time
The Schedules are out... and here they are....
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Northwest at OF
Dec. 9 at Western Wayne
Dec. 12 ES-NOTRE DAME
Dec. 15 MT. VIEW
Dec. 17 at West Scranton
Dec. 22 at Valley View
Dec. 27 at WA Tourney
Dec. 29 at WA Tourney
Jan. 3 DUNMORE
Jan. 6 at Mid Valley
Jan. 9 LAKELAND
Jan. 13 at Carbondale
Jan. 16 HOLY CROSS
Jan. 20 RIVERSIDE
Jan. 27 VALLEY VIEW
Jan. 29 at Dunmore
Jan. 31 MID VALLEY
Feb. 3 at Lakeland
Feb. 6 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 at Holy Cross
Feb. 12 at Riverside
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Lakeland at OF
Dec. 8 at West Scranton
Dec. 12 at Susquehanna
Dec. 18 at Trail
Dec. 23 VALLEY VIEW
Dec. 27 at PA Tourney
Dec. 29 at PA Tourney
Jan. 2 at Dunmore
Jan. 5 MID VALLEY
Jan. 8 at Lakeland
Jan. 12 CARBONDALE
Jan. 15 at Holy Cross
Jan. 19 at Riverside
Jan. 21 at Forest City
Jan. 26 at Valley View
Jan. 28 DUNMORE
Jan. 30 at Mid Valley
Feb. 2 LAKELAND
Feb. 5 at Carbondale
Feb. 9 HOLY CROSS
Feb. 11 RIVERSIDE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Prep
Dec. 10 at North Pocono
Dec. 12 at Honesdale
Dec. 15 HOLY CROSS
Dec. 17 at Mid Valley
Dec. 20 at Valley View 11
Dec. 26 at West Scranton 10
Dec. 30 at Wyoming Area TBA
Jan. 3 at Carbondale 10
Jan. 9 at Riverside
Jan. 13 LAKELAND
Jan. 16 DUNMORE
Jan. 20 at Holy Cross
Jan. 27 MID VALLEY
Jan. 29 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 3 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 RIVERSIDE
Feb. 12 at Lakeland
Feb. 14 at Dunmore 11
HOME GAES in CAPS
Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted
Dec. 6 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 7 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 8 NORTH POCONO
Dec. 10 TRAIL
Dec. 13 at Susquehanna
Dec. 17 RIVERSIDE
Dec. 20 MONTROSE
Dec. 22 at Carbondale
Dec. 30 WYOMING AREA
Jan. 7 LAKELAND
Jan. 10 at Valley View
Jan. 14 WESTERN WAYNE
Jan. 17 at Mid Valley
Jan. 19 at Dunmore
Jan. 24 at Riverside
Jan. 31 at Lakeland
Feb. 4 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 7 at Western Wayne
Feb. 11 MID VALLEY
Feb. 14 DUNMORE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
Weekday games start at 10
Saturday games start at 4
Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Boys’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Northwest at OF
Dec. 9 at Western Wayne
Dec. 12 ES-NOTRE DAME
Dec. 15 MT. VIEW
Dec. 17 at West Scranton
Dec. 22 at Valley View
Dec. 27 at WA Tourney
Dec. 29 at WA Tourney
Jan. 3 DUNMORE
Jan. 6 at Mid Valley
Jan. 9 LAKELAND
Jan. 13 at Carbondale
Jan. 16 HOLY CROSS
Jan. 20 RIVERSIDE
Jan. 27 VALLEY VIEW
Jan. 29 at Dunmore
Jan. 31 MID VALLEY
Feb. 3 at Lakeland
Feb. 6 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 at Holy Cross
Feb. 12 at Riverside
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Old Forge Blue Devils
Girls’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Girls’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Lakeland at OF
Dec. 8 at West Scranton
Dec. 12 at Susquehanna
Dec. 18 at Trail
Dec. 23 VALLEY VIEW
Dec. 27 at PA Tourney
Dec. 29 at PA Tourney
Jan. 2 at Dunmore
Jan. 5 MID VALLEY
Jan. 8 at Lakeland
Jan. 12 CARBONDALE
Jan. 15 at Holy Cross
Jan. 19 at Riverside
Jan. 21 at Forest City
Jan. 26 at Valley View
Jan. 28 DUNMORE
Jan. 30 at Mid Valley
Feb. 2 LAKELAND
Feb. 5 at Carbondale
Feb. 9 HOLY CROSS
Feb. 11 RIVERSIDE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ Freshman Basketball
Boys’ Freshman Basketball
Dec. 8 at Prep
Dec. 10 at North Pocono
Dec. 12 at Honesdale
Dec. 15 HOLY CROSS
Dec. 17 at Mid Valley
Dec. 20 at Valley View 11
Dec. 26 at West Scranton 10
Dec. 30 at Wyoming Area TBA
Jan. 3 at Carbondale 10
Jan. 9 at Riverside
Jan. 13 LAKELAND
Jan. 16 DUNMORE
Jan. 20 at Holy Cross
Jan. 27 MID VALLEY
Jan. 29 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 3 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 RIVERSIDE
Feb. 12 at Lakeland
Feb. 14 at Dunmore 11
HOME GAES in CAPS
Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted
Old Forge Blue Devils
Jr. High Boys’
Basketball Schedule
Jr. High Boys’
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 7 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 8 NORTH POCONO
Dec. 10 TRAIL
Dec. 13 at Susquehanna
Dec. 17 RIVERSIDE
Dec. 20 MONTROSE
Dec. 22 at Carbondale
Dec. 30 WYOMING AREA
Jan. 7 LAKELAND
Jan. 10 at Valley View
Jan. 14 WESTERN WAYNE
Jan. 17 at Mid Valley
Jan. 19 at Dunmore
Jan. 24 at Riverside
Jan. 31 at Lakeland
Feb. 4 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 7 at Western Wayne
Feb. 11 MID VALLEY
Feb. 14 DUNMORE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
Weekday games start at 10
Saturday games start at 4
Previews coming this Sunday!!!
Basketball season tips off on Saturday with the 8th Annual Badger Tournament taking place at Old Forge High School. The Blue Devils play Saturday at 8 p.m. and the Lady Devils start the season at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Team previews will appear in The SundayDispatch on Sunday and then on this here blog sometime on Monday.
Support the Blue Devils this season!!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
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