Boys Basketball: 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.”

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Conestoga senior guard Darryl Caldwell celebrates scoring his 1,000th point with his mother Christy and Conestoga head coach Mike Troy. (Jim Martin photo)