By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
WILKES-BARRE – Berwick is one of the first two teams to play a league boys basketball game in District 2 this season.
Even with that early start, the Bulldogs enter the Tuesday night opener at home against Pittston Area will clear signs of progress from a year ago.
Berwick has already surpassed last season’s overall win total, arriving at the league opener with a 3-2 record going 2-19 last season when it was winless in the division.
“I’m hopeful that we’re going to be a bit more competitive than we have been in years past,” Berwick coach Bobby Calarco said prior to the non-league opener, during the Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches Press Conference. “I know from just what we’ve been doing with the kids working that we are a lot better.
“ … I’m really proud of the effort the kids put in during the offseason.”
Sean Murphy, in his fourth season as starter, leads the way from the point guard position.
Murphy has been getting scoring support from the team’s other two veterans, Matt Lonczynski and Billy Hanson, as well as junior Jace Degroat.
Hanson is just a sophomore, but Calarco said he has a chance to be one of the WVC’s best players before he is done.
Sophomores Kaden Hickman, Julian Howie and Noah Marquez and 6-foot-4 juniors Fabian Ramiro and Aiden Wiest are the others Calarco expects to fill out the rotation with a few other players working to try to land a spot as well.
Photo: Sean Murphy, Matt Lonczynski (23) and Billy Hanson (11) lead an improving Berwick team. (Tony Callaio Photo)
