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February 2001

Hoopsters crowned Suburban One kings

Gym three became a sea of flapping white towels and screaming fans when Neshaminy defeated Council Rock on Friday, Feb. 2. The 63-51 win gave the Skins' the Suburban One League Patriot Division Title.

The 'Skins clinched a share of the crown with a win over CB West on Jan 30; they needed only one win in their last three games to clinch the rest.

It is Coach Joe Blair’s first year as head coach of the 'Skins. With eight players returning from last year’s team, he has a lot of experience and talent to work with.

“It seems like a rebirth this year, a new attitude," Senior Craig Robinson said. “The coaches really put in a great system and we’ve all bought into it."

The team’s hard work started in the summer where they were introduced to Blair’s new system.

“The kids are very receptive to what he’s trying to do,” Assistant Coach Ron Zawacki said. “They’re doing it his way and have bought into his whole package."

A major point Blair stresses is teamwork. The 'Skins have excelled at this aspect of the game.

“We’ve asked the kids to make big sacrifices, both on and off the court,” Blair said. “On the court, we've got guys to give up offense and play defense, or give up scoring to become more assist-minded.”

Leaders for Neshaminy are seniors Sherman Brittinghamm, Bryan Lawton, Brandon Ettinger, Robinson, and juniors Trevor Deeter and Jamar Brittinghamm. Lawton and Sherman have been the two top scorers for the ‘Skins this year.

The 'Skins have powered their way through their opponents all the way to the division title. Tennent, Abington, Bensalem, Bristol, and Pennsbury are a few that have fallen to the powerful ‘Skins.

By far the most exciting game of the season was against Harry S. Truman High School. The battle was for the number one spot in the Courier

Times poll and for “bragging rights” around the league. The game, which promised to be a good one, was no let down.

The two teams battled back and forth, and with two seconds reamining Lawton scored to win the game.
With that said and done the 'Skins derailed Truman from the number one spot and staked their claim as the number one team in the county.

“We’re not surprised by our success,” Robinson said. “We all realized during the summer what we were capable of. All of us would love to look back in 10 years and say we were the group that brought a basketball championship back to Neshaminy.”

The 'Skins will now attempt to conquer the district in the District One Tournament on Friday, Feb. 16.

By Drew Demberg
Staff Writer