Have you ever ever watched PIAA District 2 area hockey?
It’s like smashmouth soccer. Actually.
Proper right here in District 2, we’ve began one other nice season. The expertise is off and operating and the potential of sending one other Wyoming Valley Space highschool workforce to the state finals is within the air.
As all colleges have began their Fall sports activities, there’s one factor that units District 2 aside from the remainder of Pennsylvania: consistency.
“There’s lots of respect among the many packages and we imagine in making one another higher,” Lackawanna Path Head Coach Laura Evans mentioned. “We watch, year-after-year, District 2 ship groups to state video games and extra impressively to the state finals in November. Let’s run it down: final 12 months, Lackawanna Path to the finals, earlier than that Wyoming Space, earlier than that Wyoming Seminary, Crestwood. I’m seeing a sample right here. Don’t you?”
Second 12 months Wyoming Seminary head coach, new head coach, however not new to the groups, Margaret Kerrick, mentioned it finest, “the model of play in District 2 is a workforce sport versus constructing a workforce round one or two stars.”
That’s what makes District 2 powerful.
I’m anxiously ready to see who’s the final workforce standing on the finish of the season. It could possibly be any certainly one of them. Honesdale? Lake Lehman? Wilkes Barre?
“Seasoned management is necessary and has impacted the longevity of District 2 success 12 months after 12 months,” Honesdale Head Coach Becca Maciejewski mentioned.
Dallas Space Excessive Faculty Head Coach Mackenzie Gagliardi backed her up.
“The Wyoming Valley Convention has a number of the finest hockey because of the hometown hockey heroes,” Gagliardi mentioned.
Wherever you’re or whomever is speaking about area hockey, Pennsylvania highschool area hockey is sort of at all times introduced into the dialog.
It’s that straightforward as a result of Pennsylvania is the hotbed for area hockey in the US. When speaking about Pennsylvania you’re additionally speaking about northeast Pennsylvania and, extra particularly, PIAA District 2.
I personally have been umpiring for over 17 years and have seen completely different regional hockey; umpired many groups throughout many PIAA districts. Each District has a mode that’s distinctive to their area.
As an illustration, in District 11, Emmaus owns the turf conflict with their finesse, focused laborious push passes, and legendary chief head coach Sue Butz Stavin. All groups in District 11 attempt to modify to Emmaus’ enjoying model and problem them constantly 12 months after 12 months.
I see Easton’s star rising or may or not it’s Parkland, or Northampton…Nazareth?
Journey to District 1, the place you’ve got lots of groups honing their expertise.
Head west to District 3, decide a workforce, any workforce to the ultimate spot in state playoffs. I personally drive North to District 2 to look at laborious pushed balls down the sector, grit and well-balanced aggression. That competitors by no means provides up.
“We now have many gritty gamers within the convention that aren’t afraid of the circle,” Lake Lehman Head Coach Jean Lipski mentioned. “They are going to dive for a objective.”
Two seasons in the past, it was Wyoming Space’s protection that introduced down workforce after workforce till they reached the ultimate stage.
“I really feel lots of groups play with grit and are extraordinarily decided and that’s what units District 2 aside from the remainder,” Wyoming Space Head Coach Bree Bednarski mentioned.
Earlier I introduced up smashmouth area hockey. It’s precisely the way it sounds: in-your-face to the top of the match form of sport, after all, with out the literal physicality. Psychological physicality drives groups within the District 2 area.
The coaches have been right here for a very long time, many have little or no turnover charges. And that dedication reveals.
“Our success is that many coaches persist with this system for years…a long time,” Lipski mentioned.
You possibly can’t get the coaches to depart the game they love.
“Seasoned management has impacted the longevity of District 2’s success,” Maciejewski mentioned.
Lots of the coaches have been right here for years, in reality, a long time.
Present as much as the video games up north and also you’ll see previous alumni within the bleachers or on the sideline teaching. Let’s simply say loads of alumni have come again to the valley they name dwelling.
I had the prospect to briefly converse with two up and coming coaches lately, Bednarski and Gagliardi, they usually bleed District 2 hockey. They converse with ardour and respect for the sport and are excited to show the groups from their very own experiences.
“Our convention is a gold mine for the toughest working feminine athletes,” Nanticoke Head Coach Kayla Reakes mentioned.
One more reason District 2 has success is the offseason membership scene.
The realm is huge however not large enough to deliver quite a few membership alternatives. The women decide from mainly two extremely revered golf equipment – Electrical Surge or NEPA power. These two golf equipment increase expertise to the following stage, the possession is high notch: skilled, respectful, and patiently constructing the following future state champ or Olympic hopeful.
“Golf equipment like Surge elevate the enjoying area much more,” Delaware Valley Head Coach Marielle Cohen mentioned. “They create again high-level talent realized to their highschool workforce and move on the information to ones not enjoying membership.”
We’re simply getting the season underway however let’s all take a breath, chill out, sit again and watch video games unfold it doesn’t matter what district you’re from. Keep in mind to be a guardian of the sport, cheer on the groups respectfully, congratulate all gamers, and cherish the second that your or another person’s daughter is in.
Patrick Frank is a PIAA, NCAA, and USA Area Hockey umpire.
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