LANCASTER - It's great to see Lancaster Catholic boys' basketball coach Joe Klazas back on the Cruaders' bench.
He missed the first month of games this season while recovering from brain surgery. Again.
For the second time in his adult life, Klazas had a procedure to remove a brain tumor.
And this time, he had the procedure after a close friend and golfing buddy - former Manheim Township standout athlete Heather Kappesser - lost her battle with a brain tumor last year.
So Klazas, in his eighth season as Lancaster Catholic's coach, is being extra diligent these days - hence staying away from the bench for a few weeks; assistant coach David Stoltzus guided the team, along with Klazas' other right-hand men, Tony Arcudi, James Heisey, Mike Rudy and Fernando Sanchez.
And hence Klazas' continuing treatment, which calls for him to make 33 - yep, 33 - trips to a hospital in Philadelphia for more radiation. Those procedures begin this month, so Klazas will spend a good chunk of his days sitting on a train to Philly, getting a treatment and coming back on the train to Lancaster - and then coaching his Crusaders, who are currently in a 3-way tie for first place with Lancaster Mennonite and Lebanon Catholic in the Section 4 race.
Klazas and his Crusaders knoced off Lancaster Mennonite 56-49 on Wednesday to force the tie. Chatted with Lancaster Catholic's coach after the game for this Podcast interview.
First, Klazas wraps up the win over the Blazers and sizes up the race. Second, we talked about conquering a second brain surgery, and how his recovery is coming along.
Take a listen ...