Indians try to replenish their scoring after turnover

BY WILLIAM WHISLER Sentinel correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata boys basketball team is undergoing significant roster shakeout after graduating all five of its starters from last season, but longtime coach Al Ream is optimistic about his team’s outlook in a loaded Tri-Valley League. While the Indians will be without elite 3-point shooter Max Lauver, forward Jacob Condo, point guard GG Ortiz, and big men Austin Derr and Evan Leach, Ream expects that Juniata will be able to emulate its 14-9 mark from a year ago. Juniata finished fourth in the Tri-Valley League and

Lions

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Tusing wants his team to compete from the first whistle to the final whistle.

“I try not to go into any season with win, lose expectations,” Tusing said. “My only expectation is how hard we play.”

One team in particular that the Lions will be keeping their eyes on will be the Northumberland Christian Warriors who is coming off an (21-3) overall record and finishing in first place in the ACAA tournament for the fifth straight year. Coach Tusing believes that they will advanced to the District 6 Class 4A playoffs before falling to a tough Bedford team.

Among the key returnees this season for Juniata are Caleb Smith, Wyatt Stoner, Ebel Gonzalez and Bryce Rush.

The Indians do not return much of their scoring from a season ago, but Ream believes his more experienced players, along with some much needed depth, are up for the challenge to be able to compete in what should be a super competitive Tri-Valley League West Division this season.

“We did have a really big turnout this season with 31 kids going out for be the team to be once again.

“Northumberland Christian has all five starters returning so they will be a tough team this year,” Tusing said.

But no matter what happens, coach Tusing wants his team to do just one thing, and that is to honor their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Our main goal is like every season, to represent out faith, family, school and self in a Christ-centered attitude,” Tusing said.

Whether it be on the court or off of it, coach Tusing believes that his players must utilities Jesus’s teachings to help basketball,” Ream said. “I think we are going to develop some depth this year. Last year we had five kids who started and they were all seniors who graduated. I have five returning letter winners who played enough to win a varsity

See Scoring / Page 26 probably them with life lessons that they will take with them every where they go in life.

“Jesus Christ is our main focus as I mentioned earlier,” Tusing said. “Basketball can be and is a learning process that can be compared to life. There will be good times and bad just like in life and how we react to those times are what’s important. I heard a quote awhile back that says “You judge the character of a person, not by where they stand in times of comfort and convenience, you judge the character of a person by where they stand in times of challenges and controversy.”