pahoops.org visited Jim Thorpe High School on Thursday for the season's first scrimmage featuring Jim Thorpe and MMI Prep.

pahoops,org has done previous stories on both of these schools
Jim Thorpe 1972  -"the Iron Five"
MMI Prep 1964- the famous 7 to 5 game

 Special thanks to the Jim Thorpe Athletic Director, Dustin McAndrew for his hospitality during our visit to Jim Thorpe High School.   They have a nice facility with two full courts side by side to allow for both the boys and the girls to practice after school every day.

Jim Thorpe H. S. 2009-2010

MMI Prep  2009-2010

 Dec 3, 2009, scrimmage at Jim Thorpe H. S.

Head Coach Brian Carroll and three returning starters: (l to r) Sam Lux, Corey Cinicola. and Rashid Epps.
MMI's 2009 team captains: (l to r) Fran Swanlocki, Tony Corrato, Connor McNeils. Ryan Forte.		 Observations:
Jim Thorpe will field a pretty good team.  They looked good in the full court, filling the lanes and passing to teammates.  They worked on a trap at half court and a trapping zone.  They have good range and good quickness.
MMI Prep has a way to go yet,  but displayed grit and determination.  They passed the ball well and were well schooled in their offensive attack.  Team rebounding may be a challenge, but a team effort can balance this need.
Hats off to both coaching staffs for their early preparation and to both teams for their hard work during the scrimmage.  It was a very good start to the season for both teams.
Thanks to the referees who work the scrimmages to start the year.  They work hard to get ready to race up and down the court with the younger players.  Basketball is a fast sport without the thought of video replays.  It takes conditioning and a well coordinated effort to mange today's games. Some highlights
#12 Sam Lux, the senior from Jim Thorpe takes a break after the second period.  He had just drilled two three point goals in a short span of 30 seconds near the end of the period, the second shot coming after pushing the ball down court, then drawing up to take aim and hitting the three..		 Some highlights
#3 Dean DiBonifuzro, a  junior (photo) fed a honey of an alley-oop pass to #1 P. J. Johnson, the sophomore as Johnson circled the MMI Prep defense and slide along the baseline then elevated to take the pass and drop the ball off the glass for a neat second period basket and a well designed Jim Thorpe play.
The MMI Prep Coaching staff, assistants Ned McNelis (left) and Ryan Jastremsky (right) flank the head coach, Joe Flanagan Jim Thorpe (Class AAA) plays in the Schuylkill County League, they open in the Panther Valley Tournament on December 8.

MMI Prep (Class A) plays in the Wyoming Valley 3 Conference, they open on December 8 at Columbia-Montour.

 Thanks to Kareem Sambolah-Mickens the Jim Thorpe junior who participated in our fall elite Pennsylvania/Maryland Basketball Shootout for inviting us to attend the first scrimmage.  We like to follow the players who attend our events when we can.  Good luck!