Coach Chapman taking leave of absence

BucksLocalSports Editor

Say it isn’t so but legendary high school basketball coach Tony Chapman is taking a leave of absence from coaching the Holy Ghost Prep (HGPF boys varsity hoops team.

The head coach of the Firebirds for the past 34 seasons, Chapman says he’s taking time off in order to deal with some health problems afflicting both his wife and mother.

ff all goes well, the longtime skipper for whom the school gym is named will be back after Christmas. The coach says he could miss the entire season, however.

“There is a distinct possibility that f will not be able to coach all year,” Chapman said in an interview Thursday afternoon. “ff that’s the case, f hope to be back next season.”

Last season, the longtime coach led the ‘birds to a 29-2 record, another Bicentennial Athletic League (BALF title and the District One Class AAA championship. Chapman also guided HGP to a pair of wins in the PfAA tournament.

The Ghost captured

the district trophy with a 56-33 triumph over Octorara before registering state wins over Northeastern (58-48F and Danville (45-36F. The Firebirds were ousted from the state tournament by repeat PfAA champion Neumann-Goretti.

For the Saints, it was their third consecutive state championship.

Holy Ghost Prep is an all-boys Roman Catholic college preparatory school located on Route 13 in Cornwells Heights.

The Firebirds take the court this season without the services of forward geff Ainsley and center Tom Heston, the BAL Co-Player of the Year. Guards hevin Major and Tim Lazorko – significant contributors last season –also graduated in gune. Forwards Pat Herbert, Shane Grady and Chris Morano, along with guard gim Grey have also departed the ranks.

Holy Ghost tipped off with a win last Friday night vs. Glen Mills at Truman High School’s Coaches vs. cancer Tipoff Tournament but lost in Saturday’s championship to the hosts, who outpaced Walter Palmer Charter in their opener on Friday.