Mt. Lebanon sets lofty goals in basketball
Joe David sets lofty goals for his men’s basketball team but Mt. Lebanon’s potential is boundless if the Blue Devils stay alert and prepared.
“Section, WPIAL and PIAA championships,” answered David to the query as to what the Blue Devils’ objectives were. “If we continue to improve individually and collectively, these goals are achievable.”
Just surviving section action is a challenge, David conceded.
“All opponents will be tough if you are not ready to play on any given night,” he added.
Experience will keep the Blue Devils on their toes. Plus, David has plenty of depth from which to pick and choose to substitute for a slumping player.
Four starters, with aspirations of taking Lebo to the top, return from last year’s club. Back in the starting lineup are Antonio Garofoli, Sean Loughran, Caden Hinckley and Mike Palmer.
A three-point expert, Garofoli averaged 11.6 points per game. A small forward, Loughran pitched in 10.6 points per game. Palmer and Hinckley followed with 7.2 and 5.0 averages.
Jake Hoffman, Blaine Gartley and Brice Miller are expected to fill the void caused by Mark Lamendola’s graduation. Lamendola, who is playing at Washington and Lee, averaged 14 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game last season for the Blue Devils.
Lucas DeCaro, Will Ehland, Hayden Mitchell and Timmy Walters should prove pivotal as key subs for the Blue Devils.
The remainder of the roster features freshmen and sophomores. The newcomers are Evan Sentner, Nick Estabrook, Aidan Witte and Owen McGeary. The 10th-graders are Charlie Lamendola, Sam LaSota and Andrew Sapp.
Notes: The Blue Devils opened the season with two victories in their own round-robin tournament.
Antonio Garofoli exploded for 44 points in an 89-53 win against St. Francis, N.Y. He buried 11, 3-point field goals. He tossed in 30 tallies in a follow-up win against Montour, 92-78.