Coach has turned alma mater into a regional force

Fans didn't know what to expect when Kevin Givens was named Academy of the New Church basketball coach in 1997.

Eleven seasons later, Givens has turned his alma mater into one of the East Coast's premier programs.

The Lions (7-1) are ranked second in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. They also are the 10th-best team in the East region, according to USA Today.

That wasn't always the case.

"There were some long nights," Givens said of the early days. "It was frustrating because you had some guys who just liked playing basketball. They didn't have the love for it. It was a different atmosphere."

Back then, the goal was to win just one or two games a season. Things began to change around 2000 as more experienced players enrolled in the school.

This season, with four Division I college prospects, Givens has arguably his most talented team. His sons, Sam and Shannon, are one of the area's top sibling duos.

Sam Givens is a senior forward who already has committed to Drexel. Shannon Givens is a talented junior point guard.

Senior forwards Larry Loughery and Clay Penecale are attracting interest from the Ivy and Patriot Leagues and Division II schools.

Those four players are a major reason the Lions are beating opponents by an average of 31.4 points.

The team's only setback came against Apex Academy White, a squad of mostly postgraduate players.

Fitting in.

Tyrone Lewis has adjusted nicely to the college game, and the former Truman standout has become one of Niagara University's premier players.

The 5-foot-11 sophomore combo guard is averaging 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game.

One of his better performances came Friday night in a 73-53 victory over Morgan State in the first round of the 41st Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara, Calif.

Lewis shot 9 of 15 from the field to finish with 24 points and two steals in 35 minutes.

The 20-year-old followed that with a 17-point showing the next night in a 56-53 championship victory over Santa Clara. For his performance, he was named to the all-tournament team.

Last season, Lewis was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament MVP, becoming the first freshman to receive that honor.

Better than its record.

Don't let Neumann-Goretti's four-game losing streak fool you.

The Saints (5-5), ranked 10th by The Inquirer, still are capable of contending for the Catholic League title.

Their overall record and current losing streak have a lot of do with having one of the area's stiffest early-season schedules.

Neumann-Goretti's four straight setbacks were against Los Angeles Fairfax, Kathleen (Fla.), Roman Catholic and Prep Charter.

Fairfax (10-1 as of Saturday) is ranked 11th nationally by USA Today. It also boasts the nation's top junior in 6-9 power forward Renardo Sidney, according to Rivals.com.

Kathleen (5-2) is Florida's Class 4A state runner-up. Defending Catholic League champion Roman Catholic (5-2) is the area's third-ranked team, while No. 9 Prep Charter (4-3) is the two-time defending PIAA Class AA state champion.

Big bad Imhotep.

While Neumann-Goretti looks to snap its skid, Imhotep Charter (8-2) hopes to keep its streak going. The seventh-ranked Panthers are riding a five-game winning streak.

Imhotep's most impressive victory came Saturday in a 78-68 decision over Class AAAA powerhouse Harrisburg at the Cougars' gym. The Panthers are a Class AA team.

Game of the week.

Central Bucks South (8-2 overall, 5-0 conference) entertains fourth-ranked Pennsbury (12-1, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday in a Suburban One National Conference game. This is the first of two meetings that ultimately could decide the conference title.