Varsity Basketball Update

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The Central Catholic Varsity Basketball season is nearing its end after over three months of hard work from the players, coaches, and everyone involved in the program. The Vikings have had a solid season thus far, compiling an overall record of 9-10, including a 5-7 record in the section. The team is comprised of seventeen guys, all of whom have contributed to the team in a positive manner. As a member of the Freshman team, I have been able to witness and experience firsthand all of the effort and preparation that goes into the talented team that spectators ultimately see in games. And although the team has been eliminated from the playoffs, they have accomplished much and the program is only looking up from here. Two games remain in the regular season before the season comes to an official end.

After losing nine graduating seniors from last year’s team, it has been impressive what this Vikings have been able to achieve this season. As previously stated, the team finished 5-7 in the section; however, almost all of those losses came in close games, and with a few lucky bounces or fortunate calls, the team could just as easily be standing in the playoff picture as the teams ahead of them. Among their ten overall victories is an impressive win over Penn Hills, who, based on maxpreps.com, is the 143rd best varsity team nationally. Though to win games like that one it takes a team effort,  there have been some notable leaders on the floor that the team has leaned on and trusted in late-game situations all year. Leading scorer Luke Nedrow headlines a talented class of juniors, while senior guard and second year starter Steve Votodian leads the five graduating seniors. Nedrow averages almost seventeen points per game and he leads the Vikings in rebounding, while Votodian leads the Vikes in assists, blocks, and steals.

The common phrase at Central Catholic “tradition never graduates” is not only an accurate and meaningful expression in the school, but on the court as well. Coach Chuck Crummie is now in his thirty-seventh year head coaching Central Catholic Varsity Basketball, and the Crummie family looks to carry on his legacy. He has three sons, all of whom are a part of the basketball program. Devon and Kevin Crummie both assist coach Chuck on the Varsity level, while Sean Crummie is the head coach of the Junior Varsity team. The winning formula that the Crummies possess is valuable, and the teams wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the knowledge of the Crummie family.

The Vikings look to wrap up their year strongly after a respectable 2016-17 season. Of the two games remaining on the Vikings’ schedule is one on Monday, February 13, against the rivaling Fox Chapel Foxes who stand currently at 18-1 overall. Although the winter has supplied some cold and dismal game nights, the compilation of Central and Oakland Catholic students at the games has made for an excellent student section, and there is no reason for the student section to slow down against the Foxes. Congratulations to the Vikings for their entertaining season and good luck moving forward.