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Keebler, Commodores aiming high

By Dave Stofcheck for The 3 min read

Frazier’s boys basketball team will be led by a group of four returning starters as it prepares to open the 2015-16 season. Ed Keebler returns for his eighth season as head coach as the Commodores try to improve on last year’s 11-12 mark.

Frazier lost a WPIAL preliminary-round game to Ford City last season, 54-52.

“We ended on a bad loss,” Keebler said. “We were winning at halftime. We just got out-worked in the fourth quarter.”

Seniors Mark Dillon and Caleb Cox along with juniors Joshua Cox and Damon Lovis will make up four-fifths of Frazier’s starting lineup.

Dillon is a 6-foot-4 forward. “Mark’s a hard worker and he’s very intelligent,” Keebler said. “He’s one of the top shot-blockers in the section.”

Caleb Cox and Lovis are guards. Lovis is 511, while Caleb Cox is six foot. “Damon runs the floor well and has great hands,” Keebler said. “He is one of our leaders in steals every game.

“Caleb likes getting everybody involved.”

Josh Cox is 6-2 and can play either forward or guard. “It really depends on who’s on the floor,” Keebler said. “The kids love to play with Josh. He’s a firm believer in how hard you practice is how hard you will play.”

Keebler isn’t sure who will grab the fifth and final spot in the starting lineup.

So far, Keebler thinks this is a nice problem to have.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Keebler said. “I have a good group of juniors and seniors all fighting for that position and all making each other better. I’m pretty excited about it. I have a few different combinations we can put on the floor this year.”

With the football team’s deep run into the WPIAL playoffs, Keebler was short a few players when preseason practice started.

That too, may have wound up being a good thing.

“There’s still a few guys who are banged up, but they’re coming around,” Keebler said. “A lot of the younger guys are getting extra time, so it’s good for them.”

Frazier will compete in Section 4AA, along with Bentworth, Beth-Center, Brownsville, Carmichaels, Charleroi and Waynesburg Central.

“Charleroi and Brownsville are always on top,” Keebler said. “Beth-Center has a lot of people back and Waynesburg is one heck of a hard-working team. Our section is very competitive. You have to come prepared for every game. There are no days you can take off.”

Frazier opens Section 4-AA play Dec. 11 when it hosts Bentworth.

The Commodores will be trying to capture a section title for the first time since 1990.

“I’m pretty excited the way my bench looks,” Keebler said. “We’re four deep and that’s a good problem to have. Every player won’t have it every day and one of those kids (off the bench) can step in there and have a few good minutes each half.

“Our goal right now is to win the section. We’ve came close a few times in my time here. Our goal every year is to put a new number on the wall (in the gymnasium).”

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