By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
Add Scranton Prep to the list of schools seeking a new boys basketball coach.
Andrew Kettel resigned from the position Thursday, ending a 10-year run that included 8 district championships and an average of 20-plus victories while posting all winning records.
Since the regular season ended, Al Callejas retired from Holy Cross and Rich Emmons resigned at Elk Lake, each ending tenures that produced multiple championships. The list of open boys basketball coaching positions around District 2 is expected to expand from there, according to multiple sources.
Kettel declined to be interviewed, but released a statement to NEPASportsNation.com and at least one other media outlet.
“When I was hired to be Scranton Prep’s boys basketball coach 10 years ago, my goals were to enhance the proud tradition of Scranton Prep basketball and to positively affect the lives of the young men who I would have the privilege to coach,” Kettel wrote in the statement. “Since these goals have been achieved, it is time for me to turn the page and begin a new chapter in my life.”
The Cavaliers made the second round of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 4A tournament this season. They played in the state tournament in all but Kettel’s first season, entering PIAA play as the District 2 champion seven straight years from 2015 to 2021 and again this season.
Scranton Prep finished 7-6 in the Lackawanna League and tied for third in the five-team Lackawanna League Division 1, but finished strong to go 17-10 overall.
“I would like to thank our coaching staff, trainers, student managers, current players, and the young men who played for us over the past 10 years, for your hard work, sacrifice, belief, trust, and dedication toward achieving our common goals,” Kettel said in the statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together both on and off the court. I am most proud of the successful and truly good young men that you have become and will be eternally grateful for the honor of having been your coach.”
Kettel served as head coach at Lackawanna Trail prior to landing the position at Scranton Prep.
Photo credit: Tim Drewes
