Raiders Grab Division Title

Raiders Grab Division Title
Posted on 03/01/2021

Division Champs

2020-2021 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
By Larry Etter

It would have been totally fitting to hear strains of Queen’s “We Are The Champions” blaring from the boys home team locker room on Friday afternoon February 26. And with good reason.

The Middletown boys basketball team had just won its first division championship since 1993 in a 52-28 rout of visiting Trinity. That’s 28 seasons between titles, a long stretch that was at times frustrating and disappointing for the coaches and many players who had passed through the system.

And, while there have been numerous Tip Off and Holiday tournament titles won along with district and state victories during that span, the Capital Division crown eluded some very good Blue Raider teams.

But that long drought came to an end for third year head coach Chris Bradford and assistants Dan Polochek, Chris Hughes and Andrew Placeres and their hardcourt warriors. Led by a group of seniors and underclassmen who overcame some adversity at times, this group of players showed exactly what team basketball was all about. When one player was down, another would step in and pick up the slack. And, at different times during the season, when their backs were to the wall, they dug deep within themselves and came out on the plus side.

During the current season, one that was delayed due to the pandemic, the Blue Raiders lost 4 games. But they did not let those setbacks stop them in their drive to the championship. Facing Trinity High School in a rare Friday afternoon game at home the Raiders needed a victory to lay claim to sole possession of the competitive Capital Division. A loss would have resulted in a tie with Susquehanna Township and a shared title. But after 32 minutes of hard action against their old nemesis there was no sharing needed. By beating the Shamrocks, the pennant was theirs, and theirs alone.

With the win the Blue Raiders joined the ranks of division champions in Middletown Area High School sports history. They worked hard, played hard and earned that distinction the right way. The Blue Raiders way!

NEXT UP - DISTRICT III QUARTERFINALS
Thursday, March 4, 7pm at MAHS


Tajae BroadieTamir JacksonAnthony Stains
Tate LeachTajae Broadie
Derek WallTyson LeachCoach Bradford

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