LANCASTER CATHOLIC CRUSADERS
COACH: Joe Klazas (8th season; 153-49 overall).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Tony Arcudi, James Heisey, James Rudy, Fernando Sanchez, David Stoltzfus.
LAST SEASON: 14-2 Section 4 (champs), 19-7 overall (Lost to McCaskey 71-57 in the L-L League championship game; lost to Bishop McDevitt 73-61 in a District 3 AAA first-round game).
KEY PLAYERS LOST TO GRADUATION: Sean Gibbons (0.8 points per game, 2 3-pointers), Jose Jimenez (5.2, 10 3-pointers), Andrew Long (4.9), Bryan Rivera (16.2, 50 3-pointers), Robby Rowe (7.7, 31 3-pointers).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Erik Goldbach (Sr., 9.0, 31 3-pointers), F Patrick Kenney (Sr., 2.3, 2 3-pointers), F Omar Lopez (Jr., 10.8).
STRENGTHS: Senior leadership.
WEAKNESSES: Varsity experience.
NOTABLE: Graduation was not kind to the Crusaders, who lost some key cogs from last season’s Section 4 champ and squad that went to the L-L League title game. Safe to say the loss of break-your-ankles point guard Bryan Rivera is going to sting. He was one of the top point guards in the L-L League the last couple of seasons, and his floor leadership - and penchant for taking and hitting big shots - will be missed. … Crusaders’ will also miss Robby Rowe’s perimeter shooting and a couple of jumping-jack glass cleaners in Jose Jimenez and Andrew Long. … Some good news: Rivera’s reliable running mate, Erik Goldbach, returns. He can shoot it from deep and will spearhead the Crusaders’ perimeter defense. Another senior with experience, Patrick Kenney, also returns. He should get more minutes for sure. And one of the top breakout performers in the L-L League last winter also returns - baseliner Omar Lopez, who can score from the wing, dribble-drive and score at the glass. … Three more holdover kids who saw varsity minutes last season: Senior forwards Kyle Harnish (2 points in six games) and Michael Keck (2.6 average in nine games) and junior G Eric Schneider (nine varsity games) will all be called upon to make more contributions. … Coach Klazas very likely will not open the season on the bench while he recovers from a health procedure. Was told he’s doing just fine, and that assistant David Stoltzfus will likely call the shots until Klazas returns. Stay tuned.
REINHART SAYS: This will not look like last season’s L-L League finalist club - at least at the outset. Couple of really nice pieces here to build around - including the inside/outside Goldbach/Lopez combo - but also some fresh faces. Not ready to call this a rebuilding project, but there could be some growing pains in the early going. But still very much expect this group to be in line to defend their section crown come early February.
JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pennlive.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN