So there’s this boys’ basketball game this afternoon that everyone who follows Lebanon County sports is talking about, the first-ever Lebanon-Cedar Crest matchup for a Lancaster-Lebanon League championship.
Lebanon is seeking its ninth league championship and first since 2004; Cedar Crest’s only title came way back in the league’s infancy, in 1976. The Falcons didn’t appear in the championship game again until last year.
And that might be one reason why the Falcons are the favorite today. Most of their players went through this championship game excitement a year ago, when the Falcons led for a half before falling to a senior-dominated Lancaster powerhouse.
Cedar Crest has built on its success from a 16-10 season to reach 21-4 this year, with three of the losses by a single point. Lebanon is also improved, bringing a 17-7 record into today’s game after going 13-10 in 2013. Both teams, of course, won their sections, with the Falcons edging Lancaster and Hempfield in Section One while Lebanon breezed to the Section Two title.
Although the Falcons have to be considered the favorite, based on their record against a stronger schedule, more height and their 67-48 win at Lebanon two months ago, favorites don’t always win.
If they did, Lebanon would not be playing today, Manheim Central would be. The Barons, with an all-underclassmen starting lineup, knocked out Lancaster in the first round of the L-L playoffs and appeared to be on the verge of taking over their semifinal game against Lebanon Wednesday when they went on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter. But Lebanon righted the ship, took the lead back and then seemingly made all the hustle plays down the stretch, with bench players playing a huge role.
As a result, Manheim Central will take a 21-3 record into the loaded District Three AAA playoffs Tuesday and the Cedars have the great pleasure of facing their arch rivals today.
It would be easy to argue that Cedar Crest should win today’s game handily, since the Falcons beat the Cedars on their home court in their first meeting, but that might be too simple. After all, this is an emotional rivalry that has been fought on pretty nearly even terms for most of the past three decades. One team rarely dominates for more than a handful of games.
And, significantly, three of the four teams that beat Cedar Crest — Hempfield, Manheim Township and Warwick — lost to the Cedars. Sometimes the transitive property counts for something. If those three could beat the Falcons, then the Cedars are certainly capable.
We said before the season started that Cedar Crest was the best team in the league and should win the championship. And here they are. We will also say right now a Lebanon win would not be an enormous upset, given the way the Cedars played on Wednesday, which might have been their best effort of the season. If they can duplicate that performance today, the championship might be decided in the last minute and then anything can happen.
But the real winners today, besides the players and coaches of both teams, are the basketball fans of Lebanon County. We’ve had a great season — despite the weather issues — and what a reward today is for all of us.
Good luck to both teams and to the other boys’ and girls’ teams that will enter district playoffs next week.
One other hoops-related note: At the same time the Cedars and Falcons are tipping off at Manheim Township, Lebanon Valley’s men’s hoops team will be starting a huge game against first-place Messiah in Annville. Lebanon Valley’s annual alumni game is being played this morning and today is Hot Dog Frank Day.
With three games left in the regular season, Lebanon Valley is 7-8 and in sixth place in the Commonwealth Conference, a game back of Albright and two behind Hood. The top five teams qualify for playoffs. Messiah is tied with Alvernia for first place at 11-4, a game ahead of Stevenson.
Given that Lebanon Valley was picked to finish ninth in the 10-team Commonwealth Conference and has played most of the season with no one over 6-4 and frequently with just nine players in uniform due to injuries, the fact that the Flying Dutchmen are still in contention for the playoffs with a week to go is a credit to coach Brad McAlester, his staff and, of course, a roster of players who have refused to quit.
LVC has been a fun team to watch and point guard Kevin Agnew is averaging 26 points a game, making him an All-America candidate. If you haven’t seen them play, the Dutchmen will wrap up the regular season next Saturday at home against Stevenson at 3 p.m.
Following today’s men’s game, Messiah’s women’s team will battle Lebanon Valley for first place at 4 p.m. Messiah is 12-3, a game ahead of LVC and Elizabethtown, with Stevenson at 10-5.
As always, follow on Twitter @sesnyderleb.