- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,269,117
- Reaction score
- 59
Pottsville is just one of two Schuylkill League Division I teams off to an undefeated start in league play after a road win at Minersville on Thursday.
The Crimson Tide’s (3-1; 3-0) fast start to the season has seen them roll to wins over Blue Mountain, Tamaqua and Minersville and outscore their opponents in those games, 162-130.
“It’s been two difficult places to play and two fantastic teams, so it’s really challenged our mental toughness and we’ve figured things out at the end of games,” Pottsville coach Tyler Heffner said of the wins at Blue Mountain and Minersville. “We were asked to play the two best teams in the league and we took care of business.”
First-year head coach Tyler Heffner
Heffner, in his first year as head coach of Pottsville, was a part of former head coach Jake Wartella’s coaching staff for the last five years. He helped lead Pottsville to a league championship last season, as well as three PIAA playoff appearances.
Pottsville boys basketball head coach Tyler Heffner signals to the team as Blue Mountain hosts Pottsville, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Heffner graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 2012 where he starred on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was familiar with the returning veterans this season after serving as assistant coach.
That nucleus of returners for the Crimson Tide include Christian Alvarez, Ryder Bowers, Juleon Bainbridge and Chris Hobbs.
Returning league champions
Pottsville lost some of its league championship talent from last season when Letrel Montone, London Ivy and Derek Watkins all departed due to graduation. That team finished 21-7 overall before falling to Penncrest in the PIAA state playoffs.
Alvarez currently leads Pottsville’s offense, averaging 15.7 points per game, while Bowers has averaged 11.5 points per game and David Kunstek has gone for 10.3 points per game through four games.
“Our guards have really committed to the team this year and we’ve put a focus on rebounding with these guys,” said Heffner. “Getting out in space, it really helps a lot.”
Second half offense
The key for the Crimson Tide’s attack this season has been their second half effort, like when they outscored Minersville 34-27 in the second half of Thursday’s early season tilt.
Hobbs led Pottsville’s second half offensive surge with eight points on a pair of three-pointers, while Kunstek added another nine points in the second half at Minersville.
“These guys have had incredibly tough performances to go out and hit shots in the fourth quarter,” Heffner said. “I’m really proud of them, and as a team the grittiness has been incredible.”
Growing pains
Pottsville faced turbulence in the early going when it lost to non-league opponent Hazleton, 63-58.
The loss is the only of the season so far for Pottsville after they were outscored 31-19 in the second half. Alvarez, Bowers and Kunstek each finished in double figures, but the Tide couldn’t keep up with Hazleton’s offense.
In Pottsville’s road win at Minersville, the Tide were outscored 15-7 in the first quarter and had trouble slowing down the Battlin’ Miners offense.
Getting to the free throw line
One thing Heffner wants to establish with his squad this season is an aggressive offensive mentality where they’ll be able to get to the free throw line at will.
Pottsville did just that in the second half against Minersville when they drew a total of 13 free throws, and Alvarez and Bowers closed the game in the paint for the win.
“Getting clean rebounds and getting out in breaks has been something we’ve struggled with,” Heffner said. “The Hazleton and Blue Mountain games have prepared us well for that.”
Pottsville will host North Schuylkill on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Continue reading...
The Crimson Tide’s (3-1; 3-0) fast start to the season has seen them roll to wins over Blue Mountain, Tamaqua and Minersville and outscore their opponents in those games, 162-130.
“It’s been two difficult places to play and two fantastic teams, so it’s really challenged our mental toughness and we’ve figured things out at the end of games,” Pottsville coach Tyler Heffner said of the wins at Blue Mountain and Minersville. “We were asked to play the two best teams in the league and we took care of business.”
First-year head coach Tyler Heffner
Heffner, in his first year as head coach of Pottsville, was a part of former head coach Jake Wartella’s coaching staff for the last five years. He helped lead Pottsville to a league championship last season, as well as three PIAA playoff appearances.
Pottsville boys basketball head coach Tyler Heffner signals to the team as Blue Mountain hosts Pottsville, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Heffner graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 2012 where he starred on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was familiar with the returning veterans this season after serving as assistant coach.
That nucleus of returners for the Crimson Tide include Christian Alvarez, Ryder Bowers, Juleon Bainbridge and Chris Hobbs.
Returning league champions
Pottsville lost some of its league championship talent from last season when Letrel Montone, London Ivy and Derek Watkins all departed due to graduation. That team finished 21-7 overall before falling to Penncrest in the PIAA state playoffs.
Alvarez currently leads Pottsville’s offense, averaging 15.7 points per game, while Bowers has averaged 11.5 points per game and David Kunstek has gone for 10.3 points per game through four games.
“Our guards have really committed to the team this year and we’ve put a focus on rebounding with these guys,” said Heffner. “Getting out in space, it really helps a lot.”
Second half offense
The key for the Crimson Tide’s attack this season has been their second half effort, like when they outscored Minersville 34-27 in the second half of Thursday’s early season tilt.
Hobbs led Pottsville’s second half offensive surge with eight points on a pair of three-pointers, while Kunstek added another nine points in the second half at Minersville.
“These guys have had incredibly tough performances to go out and hit shots in the fourth quarter,” Heffner said. “I’m really proud of them, and as a team the grittiness has been incredible.”
Growing pains
Pottsville faced turbulence in the early going when it lost to non-league opponent Hazleton, 63-58.
The loss is the only of the season so far for Pottsville after they were outscored 31-19 in the second half. Alvarez, Bowers and Kunstek each finished in double figures, but the Tide couldn’t keep up with Hazleton’s offense.
In Pottsville’s road win at Minersville, the Tide were outscored 15-7 in the first quarter and had trouble slowing down the Battlin’ Miners offense.
Getting to the free throw line
One thing Heffner wants to establish with his squad this season is an aggressive offensive mentality where they’ll be able to get to the free throw line at will.
Pottsville did just that in the second half against Minersville when they drew a total of 13 free throws, and Alvarez and Bowers closed the game in the paint for the win.
“Getting clean rebounds and getting out in breaks has been something we’ve struggled with,” Heffner said. “The Hazleton and Blue Mountain games have prepared us well for that.”
Pottsville will host North Schuylkill on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Continue reading...
