Coach's challenge could turn around Rebels' season

Facing a one-point deficit entering the fourth of Tuesday's game at North Catholic, Seton-La Salle boys basketball coach Mark DeIntinis challenged his team.

"At the break, going into the fourth I told them the next eight minutes are going to define our season," DeIntinis said. "There were no changes, we just challenged them to go out and lock some people down."

The Rebels read like a Webster's dictionary entry as they held the Trojans to one field goal and two foul shots in the fourth quarter to win the game, 54-46.

The victory wasn't in section, but it might have been just as important for the Rebels to defeat their northern rival and continue a four-game winning streak after starting the season 4-7.

"Tuesday's game against North Catholic really showed a lot of guts," DeIntinis said. "That eight minutes was as good and hard played defense as I've seen in eight years."

The Rebels (8-7, 5-1 in Section 3-AA before Saturday's non-section game at Wilkinsburg) will need a stingy defense with two starters probably out for the season with injuries if they are going to make the playoffs for sixth time in eight seasons.

"Because offensively we're relying totally on Joe DelSardo and Mike Caputo and just a few other guys to pick up all the scoring slack, we're really trying to focus on defense," DeIntinis said.

R.J. Soeder is at the forefront of the Rebels' injury problems. The senior forward, also an all-state wide receiver, broke a small bone in his right leg in the first game of the season and missed the next 11 games. He returned for a 58-50 victory over South Fayette on Jan. 8 only to dislocate his left elbow in the next game against Brentwood, a 59-45 victory on Jan. 11, while lunging for a loose ball.

"He's had a rough season, I feel bad," DeIntinis said. "He was really fired up to get back. I think he's pretty much down for the rest of the season."

But Soeder's short comeback did spark the team.

"He brought back some excitement," DeIntinis said. "We were able to get back some of our focus on what we're trying to do, especially on the defensive end."

"We were starting to play pretty decent without him and everyone got boosted up when he came back," junior guard Joe DelSardo said. "It's hard to believe him going through a whole football season and he gets hurt twice in basketball."

Junior guard Anthony Doria, the football team's starting quarterback, also could be out for the season after breaking a bone above his left ankle in December. These injuries are setbacks, but so far they haven't hurt the Rebels' playoff chances as they have a two-game lead for second place in Section 3.

"If you would have told me of these injuries before the season, I would have said if we win five or six games I would be ecstatic," DeIntinis said. "I might have told you we should just mail it in, but the pressure we put on some of the younger kids to play in December is definitely paying off right now."

The development of the freshmen and sophomore classes have been a blessing.

Freshmen Jeff Kestler, a point guard, is playing in spots and guard/forward Carmen Connolly is getting substantial playing time. Sophomore forwards Kevin Croke and Bobby Bochter, both 6-foot-4, are also in the regular rotation.

"It's been very encouraging in the lower classes," DeIntinis said. "I like to think we took a year that could have been rebuilding and it looks like we're going to get to the playoffs. If we can keep improving we might be able to surprise a team or two in the playoffs."

DelSardo, the team's leading scorer at 16.5 points per game, and junior guard Mike Caputo (13 peg) have been the team's backbone along with fellow starters Joe Muraco and Bernie O'Keefe (the only seniors on the team) and junior Chris Buffington.

"We have our senior captains, but by far and away (DelSardo) is the most vocal kid," DeIntinis said. "He never comes out of a drill. He's really assuming that role."

DelSardo, also a two-way starter on the football team, accepted the role with relative ease.

"I guess being one of the only starters coming back, I thought it was my role to step in and lead them," DelSardo said. "If they are doing anything wrong, I tell them what's wrong."

And lately, the Rebels haven't been making too many mistakes.