Wednesday, March 21, 2001
MONACA, Pa. -- Coach Joe Votino doesn't look back often. He's too busy keeping his eye on what's to come.
Moments after his Kennedy Christian High boys basketball team won its third straight PIAA state title last season, Votino was already talking about the future.
Votino knew the Golden Eagles would return talent in the 2000-01 season -- the sharp-shooting of senior Keenan Christiansen, the dominating inside presence of senior Gary Satterwhite, the defensive intensity of senior Nick George, the leadership of junior Dan McElhinny and the all-around play of junior Nolan Reimold.
Votino also knew 2000-01 had the makings of being a record-breaking season.
He was right.
One final game: With a win over Fairfield on Friday in Hershey, Pa., Kennedy Christian will become just the second team in Pennsylvania history to win four straight state titles. Carlisle did it in the 1985-88 seasons.
"I'm speechless, really," Christiansen said of the idea, following the Golden Eagles' 65-61 win Tuesday over Duquesne in the Class A state semifinal. "It's a wonderful experience. I mean, not only one time but four times in a row."
Christiansen thanked God for his opportunity to be in such a position. But there was more.
"During the summer, when everyone's out having fun sunbathing, we're in the gym working, dribbling, passing, shooting," Christiansen said.
Christiansen and McElhinny each attempt at least 500 shots every day in practice.
"Just in case it comes down to that last-second shot to go to Hershey again," Christiansen said.
That focus was needed Tuesday in the Golden Eagles' win.
When Duquesne took a 56-55 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the game, Christiansen hit a 3-pointer to re-ignite his team.
"I live for this. I live for this moment. My kids live for this," Votino said of the berth back to Hershey. "This was our goal, and we're going back!"
Tradition carries on: Kennedy Christian has experience on its side. Young players are constantly being groomed for the day they will step into others' shoes.
In fact, Christiansen admitted he wouldn't be the contributor he is without his experiences as a freshman.
Maybe Keenan's freshman brother, Sean, will be saying the same three years from now.
"You can't teach experience," Duquesne coach Montel Staples said following his team's defeat, "and that's one thing [Kennedy Christian] has."
But the Golden Eagles have so much more, as Staples acknowledged.
"What makes them so good is they're an excellent passing team," Staples said. "They remind me of [quarterback] Troy Aikman. If you watch Dallas Cowboys highlights, Aikman always seems to put the ball right where his receiver can get it.
"[Kennedy Christian] puts the ball right where those guys are in position to score," he said. "All they have to do is turn, face the hoop and they're wide open."
Message in mind: As Kennedy Christian fans celebrated Tuesday by throwing Hershey Kisses onto the court at the Community College of Beaver County, the slogan on their T-shirts rang true.
"We got those shirts that say history is made to be repeated," said Satterwhite, who's mammoth game of 22 points and 21 rebounds paced his team against Duquesne. "That's all we want to do is tie history."
State title victories over Reading Holy Name in 1998, Bishop Hannan in '99 and Bishop Hannan again in '00 have paved the Golden Eagles' way to the front door of history.
Now, will the game against Fairfield let them in?
XBrian Richesson covers high school sports for The Vindicator.