The Tribune from Scranton, Pennsylvania • 11

THE TRIBUNE, SCRANTON, PA MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2002 B3 Local sports tZZ State championship rewards Bucci's efforts than crumble beneath its power-fill force. Each time he praised his players. His boys. His sons. His men.

He did it all for them. He did it all for this one moment King at last When the final horn sounded and the winner crowned, Bucci realized his lifelong goal. He was a state champion. In true Bucci fashion, he deflected the credit to his players and coaches. Love him or hate him, Bucci earned respect The time had finally arrived for him to own the spotlight and he stepped away.

Bucci calmly congratulated his team inside the locker room. They embraced and he allowed his players to grab the attention. And he could still not describe his joy. Bucci is quite a leader. Quite a man.

great basketball coach. Bucci, much to the chagrin of many, knows how to motivate. His personal drive for success powers his players belief in him. Sure, he has great players. He admits that, time and time, again.

He has great assistants, and he humbly admits that too. Still, its his system, one dedicated to constant motion, exhausting practices, energetic defense. A system that requires all-star caliber players to accept a role. A system that emphasizes each players strengths and improves on their weaknesses. Its a system that works.

One that builds character in young men. He took this band of warriors, led by Gerry McNamara, into battles he probably knew they couldnt win. Road trips to face Williamsport, The Solebury School, national power St Anthony of New Jersey. He scheduled exhibition games with the very best Kennedy Christian, Parkland, and Allentown Central Catholic. It was a form of boot camp.

He forced his team to face adversity and learn to deal with it rather HERSHEY John Bucci, the leader of the Bishop Hannan Golden Lancers, conquered the high school basketball world and all of his doubters and naysayers. Bucci, who only days before his boys basketball team played Sto-Rox for the PIAA Class AA championship struggled to describe what it would mean to be a state champion, indeed found himself speechless. His tie undone, his state championship hat a bit off center, Buc-cis true emotions overcame his-gruff demeanor. Through laughter and a beaming smile, a steady stream of tears lined his cheeks. Bishop Hannan won its state title, 70-68, on Saturday.

Bucci reached the pinnacle of his profession. And he was enjoying every minute of the celebration. However, he took the time to offer a hug for dad and a kiss for mom. He shook hands with fans. He thanked his loyal assistants and the people that influenced his life.

And in his most poignant moment of loyalty and sincerity, tightly grabbed each player that sacrificed. Every one he thanked. Every one that listened to his JOHNSON BACHMAN TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Bishop Hannan coach John Bucci, flanked by assistants Paul Johnson, left, and Al Munley, shouts instructions during Saturday's state Class AA championship game. Joby Fawcett is a sports writer for The Tribune. He can be reached at jbfawcetttimesshamrock.com.

Royals drop twinbill; Keystone rips Bergen New Paltz struck early in both games to sweep Marywood University. Ryan Parry hit a two-run homer in the first inning of the first game for the winners. Brian Blaum went 2-for-2 with a double for Marywood. John Bucco hit a solo homer to start a four-run first in the nightcap. Bucco also doubled for New Paltz.

Jason Leidel had two of the six hits for Marywood. The Pacers dropped to 7-7 after getting swept. (First game) Marywood (7-4) Naw-Paftz STAFF REPORT The University of Scranton baseball team dropped a pair of games on Sunday afternoon, falling to Delaware Valley, 12-0, in the finale of a three-game Freedom Conference series in Norristown. The Royals fell to Arcadia, 8-4, in a non-league game. Delaware Valley banged out 14 hits, including four by Mark Roth.

Michael Angelo hit a three-run home run for the Aggies, who scored 47 runs in the three-game series. Matt Beggin, Mike Astino and Joe Roche had the lone hits for the Royals. Trailing 4-0 after an inning at Arcadia, the Royals cut the lead to two, 4-2, on a two-run single by Mike Urbanovich. Urbanovich cut the margin to one, 4-3, with an RBI double in the top of the fourth inning before Arcadia scored four unearned runs in the fifth. Scrantons Les Carter homered in the top of the sixth.

Scranton (2-3-11 000 000 000 0 3 3 Dalawara Valley 12-1) 202 071 OOx 12 14 0 2B Roth 2, Keiffer, Polkowski; HR Angelo WP Boren LP-lliopoulos Scranton (2-6-1) 020 101 0-4 10 3 Arcadia 400 040 X-S 11 0 2B Urbanovich, Nasta 38 Fry HR Carter, Evanitaky WP Woodbridge LP-Perhac Taylor making his push with Phillies By Steve Bennett set, Taylor said. I had to make times-shamrock writer the adjustment to being a role CLEARWATER, Fla. When player. Thats the first time I Reggie Taylor reported for spring aver had to do that. Its kind of training back in February, he ad- difficult but if that is what it mittedly made a mistake.

He takes for me to be on the team, came to Clearwater with the idea Im aU fr it- he had to make the Phillips ros- With Pat Burrell set to start in ter. It was a move in which he left field, Doug Glanville in cen-felt he put too much pressure on ter and Bobby Abreu in right, himself. Taylor is in a battle with John On Sunday afternoon, he be- Mabry, Dave Hollins, Ricky Le-gan what could be considered the dee and Kevin Jordan for one of most important week of his base- the remaining reserve spots. As ball life, but only the next few of Sunday afternoon, the Phillies days in Florida will be different had 33 players left in big league than the first month. camp: 16 pitchers, three catchers, There is no pressure on me at eight inflelders and six outfield-all, said Taylor.

That is why I ers. think I made a mistake at the be- On Friday afternoon against ginning. I put pressure on myself the Red Sox, Taylor went 3-for-4 saying I had to make this team. with two stolen bases. On Satur-If anything, the pressure may day against the Cincinnati Reds have shifted to the Phillies.

Tay- he went 3-for-4 again with a pair lor, the Phillies first-round draft of doubles and a game-winning pick (14th overall) in 1995, has home run in the top of the ninth, not lived up to the expectations Sunday against the Twins he en-many in the organization had for tered the game in right field in him. There were injuries and the eighth inning and singled questions about his attitude. But and scored a run in the bottom of it was the injuries which ham- the ninth in his only at-bat. pered for the most part of his I think I made the decision first seven years in the organiza- tough, at least I hope I made it tion. tough, Taylor said.

I hope I A pair of hand injuries in 1998 opened some eyes around the or-limited him to 79 games at Read- ganization and the league with ing. Taylors 2000 season got off the scouts in the stands. I would to a late start after he suffered a like to be here but you know how shoulder injury while playing this business is. If it cant be here winter ball and last year he spent then maybe it will be somewhere nearly a month on the disabled else. There is a lot of baseball left list after injuring his ankle slip- in me.

Im only 25 and I know I ping on a wet first base in the have a bright future ahead of me. second game of the season. I hope it continues with the Now hes at full strength and Phillies. making a push to win one of the One thing Taylor has in his fa-reserve outfield spots when the vor is that he is out of options Phillies break camp on Saturday and the Phillies cant just send following an exhibition game him to the minors. They would with the New York Yankees.

have to put him through waivers I knew coming into spring where some major league team training the outfield position was would undoubtedly claim him. Joby Fawcett voice and his instruction. Every one that believed in him as a coach and a person. Together they reveled in their time of glory. A time overdue for a man tirelessly devoted to a game, his players, and his coaches.

A man sometimes misunderstood by his peers. A man loathed by his detractors. A man loved by those he influences. John Bucci deserved this special time. Working man Bucci, dressed in his finest suit, walked confidently onto the floor at Hersheypark Arena for the state championship game.

It was his third trip to the big stage and he looked his best. Bucci is quite a character. He can be at times terse. But only when someone challenges RICH BANICK TRIBUNE STAFF After playing a year in Japan, David Doster returned to the Phillies organization. change, it didnt take Doster long to learn that baseball meant something different to the Japanese.

Every game, he remembered, is managed like the seventh game of the World Series. Situational pitching changes throughout the middle innings. Sacrifice bunts in the first inning. Games that average more than three hours to play. that in which he believes.

That is a genuine quality of the man. He sometimes passes judgments quickly and harshly. Again, only to defend what he has worked so hard to achieve. RICH Out of minor-league options, Reggie Taylor or trade him. If Taylor does not make the team, the Phillies would most likely try to swing a deal just so they could get something for him in return.

I havent seen Reggie make too many mistakes, Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. I dont think the pressure is on him. Its on the organization. If he doesnt make our team he will probably get the opportunity somewhere else. I think it helps when you are a No.

1 draft pick as far as an organization goes. If you had a 42nd pick and a first pick, I would think you would get more looks just because you were a first pick. You had to be picked first for a reason. So for now, Taylor is still a member of the Phillies. He will spend the week trying not only to impress Bowa and general man Managers pulled players out of the game who started O-for-2 regularly.

Doster even recalled a time when he was chastised by teammates for trying to advance to third base from first on a single to center field, even though he wound up getting there safely. Everybody was afraid to do something, because if you screwed up, youre not playing for a week, he said. They dont remember the times you come through. They only remember the times you fail. Somewhere along the road from Scranton to Yokahama and back to Clearwater, Doster forgot the failures, erased the past.

He left them in Japan. The thing I really missed was the bus and the clubhouse, messing around with teammates, joking on people, Doster said. There, if you win in the ninth or lose in the ninth, its the same thing. Everybodys there just cleaning their shoes. Clubhouse camaraderie is, I guess, the best way to put it Well, they didn't have it.

It's just such a job for them. It's not like its supposed to be fun." a That is genuine devotion. His confidence is often mistaken for arrogance. Buccis heart bleeds for his kids, his program and his school. And, make no mistake, he is a BANICK TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER the Phillies may have to keep ager Ed Wade, but every other organization out there.

And if a trade comes along, he will accept his fate and continue his quest to get to the major leagues. So far there had been one rumor of Taylor heading to Tampa Bay for left-handed reliever Doug Creek while the White Sox have also expressed interest. The White Sox have been interested for the past couple of seasons while Taylor was playing center field for the Red Barons. Its good there are teams interested in me, Taylor noted. It lets me know teams are asking and talking about me.

It makes me feel good. Its the last week and there are decisions to make. Every time they call my name I just have to be ready to go. With Dosters renewed perspective comes equally renewed hope. A season facing Japanese pitchers that nibble on the corners of the plate made Doster more aggressive.

He has responded by hitting .333 (10-for-30) this spring, his best ever start to season. Is he still a longshot to make the roster? Yes. Bowa likes Dave Hollins intensity and veteran leadership. Also swinging a hot bat, utili-tyman Kevin Jordan isnt hurting his own cause to make the team. So while hell likely end up where he was expected wearing a Scranton uniform dont be surprised if Doster spends this season opening more eyes throughout a Phillies organization that suddenly sees the onetime prospect as a player that can help it again.

Every roster needs a guy like Doster. The unusually deep Phillies are no exception. Donnia Collin covers the Red Barons for The Tribune. RBI Maziarz, Bonda Parry 2. fiuonamano 2, Waiters, Lackaye 2B Blaum, Lackaye HR Parry, Buonamano Pitching McHugh 6IP, 9H, 7R, 6ER, 3BB, IK.

NP- Buonamano 7IP, SH, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 8K WP Buonamano. LP McHugh. (Second game) Marywood (7-7) Naw-Paftz Keystone College ripped 27 hits to sweep Bergen Community College. Mike Basile belted a two-run homer and drove in five runs in the opener. Sal Urso and Angel Oquendo each contributed three hits and Jesse Wells doubled twice, driving in four runs.

John Wieckowski also had three RBIs to back winning pitcher Scott Grimes. Matt Omer tripled, singled twice and knocked in four runs in the nightcap. Matt DeSantis, Wells and Grimes each had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Oquendo struck out 10 in five innings for the win. (First gam COLLINS: Doster proving he can still contribute RBI Maziertz, Federico, Lackaye, Buzecta, Walters 26 Walters, Lackaye Bucco HR Bucco Pitching Semmon 6IP, 6H, SR 46R 2BB, 3K, NP Schaopfer 4IP, 3H, 2R, 1ER, 4B8, IK.

Schover 3IP, 3H, 1R. OCR. OBB, IK WP-Schaopfer. LP-Sammon. Softball Elizabethtown College swept the University of Scranton in non-conference softball action.

The Blue Jays took the opener, 6-3, and came back to score four runs in the final two innings of play in the nightcap to pull out a 5-4 win in eight innings. Elizabethtown improved to 16-3 on the season, while the Lady Royals fell to 4-2. Vanessa Esposito led the Lady Royals with three hits and scored twice and Jennifer Miller and Kim Pregnar chipped in two hits apiece in the first game. Megan Wasilik hit a pinch-hit triple for Scranton, which belted out 11 hits. Losing pitcher Sarah Rhodes, Shalissa Dougherty and Miller each drove in a run for Scranton in the second game.

(Pint gam Scranton (4-1) 001 Oil 11 2 Efciobtttrtown (14-3) 201 030 2 28 Prognor, Raco 3B Waatlik WP Mom LP Crowley (Second gam) Scranton (4-2) 004 000 00 4 0 Elizabethtown (14-2) 000 100 21-4 4 2 2B Zamba 3B Robmeon WP P'ke LP RBI Wells 4. Urso 2, Snyder, Orner 2 Weick-owsfci 3 Basile 5 Oquedo 3 2B-Sterling Wells 2, Urso Snyder Basile, Oquedo HR Snyder Bastie Pitching- Policy VilP, 7H, I OR 6ER 2BB OK No other information given Grimes 4IP, 1H, 1R, 0R, 6BB 7K Treible 2P. 1H. 1R 2BB, IK Hoky HP. OH.

OR. 06R. OBB, OK WP- Games LP- Policy (Second samel Keystone (21-5) FROM PAGE B1 the same old David Doster. Thats why the 31-year-old Indiana native who most everyone in the organization assumed would have been sent to the Tri-ple-A Red Barons camp by now is still hanging around the Phillies locker room and keeping his name in any talk manager Larry Bowa utters about candidates to be reserve infielders. A .233 career hitter in the big leagues, Doster is one of the most productive hitters in Red Barons team history.

In 1997, he hit .315 with 16 homers and 79 RBIs and was named the teams Player of the Year. He followed that campaign up by hitting 16 more home runs and knocking in 84 runs the next season. Despite that production, Doster never stuck with the Phillies, and after the 2000 season, the versatile but frustrated veteran signed with the Yokohama Bay-Stars of Japans Central League. He hit nine home runs good for fourth on the team as the team's primary second baseman. While the games rules didnt 2B Jetee DeSantis Snyder 3B Orner Pitching Totten 6IP 14H 14R 14ER 66 2K Oouedo SP 1H iR.

288 10K Ooem UP OH OR OCR OBB IK Ptcnc UP OH. OR OCR OBB 3K WP- Oquendo LP- Tonen.