Family-like atmosphere playing big role for Conestoga boys’ basketball

Berwyn – When you are a close-knit family like the Conestoga boys’ basketball team, the hardest lessons are often learned following a difficult loss.

With family being the most important thing for head coach Mike Troy having his two daughters Maggie and Ashley give him a heartfelt hug prior to him entering the locker room following his squad’s loss to Ridley in the Central League championship game at Marple Newtown High School on Monday night made a difficult task slightly easier.

“Family is the most important thing to me,” said Troy. “Anything I can do to help anyone of these guys I will do. Unfortunately Ridley outplayed us tonight and the result did not go our way.   Right now my biggest concern is making sure these 15 guys are ok and getting ready to play Friday night.”

With a team that has seen its share of peaks and valleys throughout the year the five seniors – Andrew Larkin, Darryl Caldwell, MJ Lezanic, Jack Baker and Lucas Yonda – have played roles the coaching staff hoped had been instilled throughout their career.

“If there is one word that describes Conestoga basketball it’s family,” said Lezanic, who finished with five points against Ridley. “The previous senior classes have been such a pleasure and I feel like our class has picked up different things from each class that we have tried to pass on to the younger guys.”

Larkin echoed Lezanic’s sentiments: “We played with the previous senior classes for so many years that they treated me like a brother and I treated them the same way. Seeing them lead the past few years, we just wanted to mirror their leadership and I believe we have done that.”

“Our seniors have been tremendous leaders,” Troy said. “Darryl (Caldwell) is a terrific basketball player and leader and Andrew (Larkin), MJ (Lezanic) Lucas (Yonda) and Jack (Baker) have stepped up this year and we would not be where we are without them.”

Troy added, “You often see how good your team will be based on your senior class. Getting to where we are right now is a reflection of what our seniors have meant to us.”

Examples of the way the Pioneers stayed together as one were displayed at different points during the season. After losing two tough games early, the team bounced back winning two key Central League games over Lower Merion and Radnor.

As things were beginning to look up, then came a stumble against Strath Haven. Instead of pointing fingers as to why they lost the team buckled down and ran off six consecutive victories.

Right in the middle of their wins were Larkin, who missed most of last season after being diagnosed with mononucleosis and Lezanic who gained valuable experience last season while Andrew Diehl was out with a broken wrist.

“Last year was difficult,” said Larkin. “However it gave me time to see how precious basketball is and I knew coming into this season that I had to help lead this team and allow us to have the best year possible.”

With the district playoffs beginning Friday night at home against Great Valley, Conestoga will once again have to show their ability to bounce back from a tough loss just as they have done at different points this season.

“We learned a big lesson after losing in the Central League championship game last season,” said Lezanic. “I believe we may have let it linger just a little too long. While the loss this year hurts we have to get over it and be ready to play.”

Like most families do, this team will come together and deal with a difficult situation and be ready to face the next challenge.