Raiders preparing for season

Jordan Crane led the Northern Tier League in scoring last season. This year, the Cameron County senior is one of just five players cited for the Pre-Season All- District Team by D9sports.com.

There's no rest for many of the athletes who will play prominent roles for the boys' basketball team at Cameron County.

They stepped right from the football field onto the basketball court to prepare for Friday night's opener on the road at Johnsonburg. Results weren't available by press time.

Coach John Barnhart has almost his entire squad back from last season, but most of the boys have to transition from one sport to another.

Seniors Jordan Crane (6-2 forward) and Charlie Holjencin (6-0 guard), along with juniors Dan Sullivan (6- 1 guard), Mike Malizia (6-3 center) and Jarek Holjencin (6-0 guard) are back with plenty of experience from last year to form the nucleus of the 2007-08 squad.

Seniors Ethan Purcell (6-1 forward) and Steve Reed (6- 3) also figure in Barnhart's plans, while Matt Kriner returns after taking a year off.

Depth could also come from juniors Jordan Garrigan (6-0), Don Catalone (5-10), Jon Lundberg (6-0) and Andew Kesterholt (6-2). Freshman Jason Blose (6-0) may also be a factor.

Crane was a Northern Tier League all-star last season. Sullivan made the second team and Charlie Holjencin received honorable mention.

Last year, the Raiders went 18-8, falling to Coudersport twice during the regular season and a third time in the District 9 playoffs. The same two teams are seen by many observers as the heavyweights in this year's Northern Tier League race.

Cameron County returns to action on Dec. 12 at Punxsutawney.