Mapletown boys look for more of the same
After getting a victory in the preliminary round of last year’s playoffs, the Mapletown boys’ basketball program will look to continue that same success on the court for the 2013-14 season.
The Maples started last year 0-7, but finish the ’12-13 campaign with a 7-10 record, including a 49-29 victory over Leechburg in the preliminary round.
“Last year was big for us,” Mapletown coach Craig Hoone said.
“The atmosphere and attitude are definitely different around the program and we are looking to continue to build. The kids are excited and energetic for the start of the season, as they have shown a lot of work ethic during the off-season.”
Mapletown, which fell to top-seeded Lincoln Park in the first round of last year’s postseason, only lost two seniors from a year ago and has 10 kids on its roster this season.
Leading the Maples this year will be senior guard Dereck Riggleman.
“Dereck has really hit the weight room this off-season,” Hoone said. “He has built some more muscle and that will help him with his drives to the rim. He is a hard worker and a very athletic kid. He has started since he was a freshman and he has really embraced the leadership role for us this season.”
Riggleman average around 20 points a game last season and was just as deadly around the net as from beyond the arc.
Other returning starters for Mapletown are senior forward Dana White, senior forward Eric Atwood and junior guard Ben Boone.
“We have four starters coming back and there’s a tough battle for that fifth spot in the starting rotation,” Hoone said. “I like what I see in practice and hopefully our hard work can pay off for us like it did last year.”
Hoone expects Section 3-A to be once again a challenge for the Maples.
“This section is very difficult with a lot of good programs,” Hoone said. “You’ve got to give the edge to Clairton, Monessen and Carmichaels. That fourth spot is going to be up for grabs between us, Geibel and Avella. We have to play our best every night if we want to accomplish our goal of making it back to the postseason.”
Mapletown will kick off the season on Dec. 6-7 at the Geibel Tip-off Tournament. The Maples will also be involved in King Coal Lions Club Tournament on Dec. 26-27. Mapletown starts Section 3-A play on Jan. 3 at Clairton.