Once-proud program looks for consistency
No Eastern Pennsylvania Conference boys basketball program has struggled more than Dieruff.
The once-proud program that won four consecutive District 11 championships from 1966-69 and had 23 consecutive winning seasons 1960-61 through 1982-83 has fallen on hard times.
Dieruff has not had a winning season since going 13-12 in 2007-08. The Huskies have not won a championship since a league title in 1997.
After having two men, Dick Schmidt and Terry German, lead the program from its inception in 1959-60 through 1981-82, the Huskies have had nine head coaches in the 38 seasons that followed, 10 if you count Jamil Newsome who began last season as the interim head coach. No one has lasted more than eight seasons — Tom Stoudt coached from 20022010.
This is in stark contrast to Dieruff ’s rival across town where Allen has had just four serve as head coaches over the last 95 seasons.
All of the previous Husky head coaches were well known within the Lehigh Valley, but athletic director David Stoudt and the school administration have gone outside the box in seeking a fresh approach. They have tabbed someone who has been part of one of the state’s most successful programs, Reading.
Marlon “J.T.” Randall was a member of the Red Knights coaching staff when they won the 2017 PIAA 6A crown with a 64-60 win over Pine-Richland in front of a sellout crowd at Hershey’s Giant Center.
While Randall is certainly not talking about a state-title run in his first season at Dieruff, he wants to provide stability and change the outside perception of Husky hoops while also altering the mindset and culture inside.
He wants to create energy, excitement and a sense of pride. His task is huge, but if there is a season amid the coronavirus pandemic, Randall’s Huskies will be a team to keep an eye on.
Dieruff Huskies
Coach: Marlon “J.T.” Randall (first season).
2019-20 season: 9-13, 4-12 EPC (sixth in Steel Division).
Scheduled opener: Dec. 15 at Emmaus.
Players to watch: Dalwin Cattouse (6-3, Sr. F); Derek George (6-6, Sr. C); George Gibbs (6-7, Sr. C); Antoine Chapman (6-0, Sr. G); Romeo Torres (6-2, Sr. F-G); Jarius Sebro (5-11, Sr., G); Joshua Soto (5-7, Sr. G); Daniel Quiones (6-1, Jr. G); Edward Acevedo (6-0, Jr. G); Wilmer Sabatar (5-11, Jr. G); Jaden Castro (5-11, Jr. G); Jared Andino (6-1 So. G).
Why are they ranked: Despite its poor overall record, Dieruff was competitive in many games last season, losing to Easton by four, Bethlehem Catholic by six and three, to Allentown Central Catholic by three, and Allen by five. They also beat Northampton, which advanced to the district finals. Many players return with experience led by Quiones, who scored 9.9 points per game last year and Cattouse, who averaged 7.0. Add in a newcomer like George, who averaged in double figures at Catasauqua, is there is talent on the roster.
What to know: It will be very strange not having longtime scorekeeper Roy Arlotto sitting courtside at Huskies games this season. Arlotto was the scorekeeper for 52 seasons before dying in September. No replacement has been confirmed.
Scott Kolumber, the president of the Lehigh Valley Knee-Hi Basketball League, is one of Randall’s assistants. Anthony Jenkins, who is originally from Georgia and works with the East Side Youth Center Training Academy, is also on board along with former Husky player Jihad Thorne and Jovan Ferreira.
The burning desire: Randall said it’s for the Huskies to play with “high level intensity.” The plan is to get up and down the floor, but within the concept of team basketball. “One of the things I have been noticing that has been absent, and something I was used to seeing at Reading, is a level of compassion for their brothers-in-arms. I want our kids to fight extra hard and push my brother to come with me. Those are some of the things people who watched those great Reading teams used to say. They would notice how hard Reading played, but noted how they played together.”
Conquering the coronavirus: Coaches and players will have to wear masks, even while on the court. Randall said: “It’s an obstacle, but that’s what you face in life, obstacles. Good coaches know that sports correlate to life. So this is just an obstacle and if you want something bad enough, you work for it.”
Not having a summer league or summer tournaments hindered Randall from getting to know the players. But the kids formed a group chat where Randall could interact with them. Once the Allentown School District gave the go-ahead for kids to get back in the gym, Randall said he quickly developed a rapport with them.
The final word: Dieruff has been overshadowed by three of its Allentown neighbors for many years in boys basketball, including a school that’s within walking distance, Executive Charter. Can the Huskies become relevant again and the basketball team become a source of pride for the school? Randall is going to give it his best shot, although it may take time.
“I want kids to walk in, put on that jersey and feel the pride,” Randall said. “That’s what we do. High school sports is not necessarily about that high school student. It’s about everyone who walked through those hallways before them. This East Side community is deep and rich in history. I want these kids to embrace it, come to love it and play with that kind of potential.”