S. ABINGTON TWP. — Abington Heights won 27 games and defeated Mars in the PIAA Class 5A title game to claim the school’s first state championship in boys basketball last season, but head coach Ken Bianchi feels this year’s squad has a long way to go to replicate that success.
“We didn’t do too well in our first scrimmage,” Bianchi said. “I think they probably thought they were going to come out and pick up where they left off. We still have a lot of work to do. The team that finished last year and the team that stated this year are miles apart.
“It’s going to take time.”
Bianchi feels lessons learned during last year’s run through the state playoffs will be helpful this season.
“They know you have to win the game on the floor,” he said. “There were a few games where we were the underdogs but, if you stick together and play together, anything is possible.”
The Comets return four starters — senior guard Jack Nealon, senior forward George Tinsley, junior forward Mike Malone and junior guard Corey Perkins — from last year’s title team and another player, senior guard Trey Koehler, who played a big role in the squad’s run to the state semifinals in 2017.
Koehler missed most of last season after suffering a foot injury.
“I learned that you can’t take anything for granted because you never know what will be taken away from you,” Koehler said. “I was only able to play a couple games and it really made me appreciate the game a lot more.”
He was proud of the way the team played during his absence last year.
“We battled through adversity throughout the season and people stepped up,” Koehler said. “It was a great team effort.”
While the Comets may be a bit undersized this season, Koehler believes their effort will be the difference.
“We’re a good rebounding team,” he said. “We’re not the tallest, but everyone hustles. We’re also strong and physical, and we have a lot bunch of guys who can shoot the ball.”
Senior guard Drew Nealon and sophomore forward Harry Johnson will be contributors off the bench. Junior forward Jimmy Lefchak may also see varsity minutes.
Bianchi was impressed with Drew Nealon’s poise under pressure last season.
“He earned his way into the lineup,” Bianchi said. “He had to go into the biggest games of all and he’s not fazed by it. He embraces the challenge.”
Tinsley, a Binghamton University commit, was a first-team All-State selection as a junior and third-team selection as a sophomore. He’s looking forward to the Comets’ difficult non-league slate. The Comets will play Pottsville, Hazleton Area, Berks Catholic, Emmaus and Coatesville among other quality teams.
“I’m excited that we have a harder schedule because it will get us prepared for a state run,” he said.
Tinsley is also embracing the Comets’ position as reigning state champs.
“It’s kind of cool to have a target on your back and all the players are excited about,” he said. “All these teams want to play us and give us their best game.”
Malone, who will enter his second season as the starting center, doesn’t believes the Comets will be complacent after winning the state title.
“We might have won it last year, but we’re still going to come out with the same mentality and play as hard as we can,” he said.
The Comets have won seven consecutive District 2 championships and have made 12 straight trips to the state playoffs.
“We want the younger kids to see us work to keep the streaks going and to keep building the program,” Jack Nealon said.
Perkins credits the coaching staff for helping the team reach its full potential last season.
“They had our backs from day one,” Perkins said. “They knew we had the skills to make a run and win states. Having them support us was the best thing.”
Abington Heights will open its season by hosting Pocono Mountain West at 7 p.m. Dec. 7.