In Fredericksburg, they’re enjoying a marvelous winter season, a fulfilling indoor campaign, a prosperous year. But the Vikings are also having a typical season, a traditional season, a normal season.
For the Northern Lebanon girls’ basketball program, imitation is the highest form of flattery. By playing hard for themselves and each other, the Vikings are paying homage to those who came before them.
“I’m really, really proud (of the tradition),” said Ken Battistelli, who’s been Northern Lebanon’s head coach for 18 seasons. “Everybody cycles through talent. But one thing we’ve been able to instill in our players is to know that I’m going to try my hardest every single day, every single game.
“When you look at our worst, you still see kids who care about the colors they wear. I’m proud these kids believe in the coaches and the system. They give us all they have all the time. There are probably not too many times when you could say that Northern Lebanon folded down the stretch. We keep grinding and improving, and that’s a testament to the kids. I’m proud of our history. I’m proud of those 18 years.”
For the Vikings, seasonal marks like their current 13-2 record and their 6-1 Lancaster-Lebanon Section Three record have become common. At last check, Northern Lebanon was again battling mighty Lancaster Catholic for first place and was positioned second in the District Three Class AAAA power rankings.
Last year, Northern Lebanon went 19-7 overall and qualified for the PIAA Class AAAA tournament.
“In the first half of this season, I kind of felt like we were the same team as we were at the end of last year,” said Battistelli. “But I really think in the last week or two, there’s been a click. I definitely feel like we’re hitting our stride right now. I think this team does have a chance to be right there. We have some mentally tough kids. We’re starting to believe we’re going to win. This team is starting to show some traits.
“I wouldn’t say we’re offensively skilled, but we have some offensive skills, and it seems like when it’s needed, it shows up. And that’s exciting. Sometimes, the moment can shrink kids. But I think the moment is lifting these kids. What we do is based on love for each other and blood and sweat and tears. Once that goes away, the magic is gone.”
At this point of the winter, the Vikings appear destined for their 14th District Three playoff appearance under Battistelli, and an eighth trip to the state post-season with him seems probable. Northern Lebanon has averaged 15 wins per season during the current regime, but mainly due to the presence of Lancaster Catholic, it has captured only two L-L Section Three crowns.
“I give Lancaster Catholic credit for making our program who we are,” said Battistelli. “When we first took over this job, Northern Lebanon was a mess. We wanted to be good. The year before we took over, they were 0-22. We won seven games our first year, and then we went to leagues and districts (playoffs) the second year. We figured out pretty quick that you’ve got to be a certain kind of team to compete at all. That shaped everything we did to try to turn into the program we wanted to be. As much as I hate to give them (the Crusaders) credit, we wouldn’t be where we are without them setting that barometer.”
But while many of the NL clubs have shared the same characteristics and values, each team has been unique, featuring its own personality and identity. In that respect, the current crop of Vikings is no different.
This year’s Vikings are built around senior Olivia Shutter, the team’s leading three-point and free-throw shooter. Juniors Casey Weimer, Saoirse Phillips, Hayley Sherocky, and Mackenzie Miller, and sophomore Selah Martino all support Shutter in a variety of ways.
“Our chemistry is fantastic,” said Battistelli. “Our core group is mostly juniors, and they’ve been playing together since forever. These kids genuinely like each other and enjoy spending time together.”
“You would think because Red (Shutter) is a senior that she would be the leader,” he added. “But she’s very soft-spoken. She’s coachable, but not the kind of kid who will grab you by the shirt and say, ‘Let’s go.’ The kids want her to be the leader, but it’s not natural. Our leadership kind of changes from day to day. Whoever kind of feels it is empowered to grab everyone and carry them along. It varies, but someone always seems to step up.”
After opening this season with seven straight victories, Northern Lebanon dropped a pair of decisions to a couple of tough customers – a two-point setback to Lancaster Catholic at home and a lop-sided road loss at Lebanon – in a span of eight days. The Vikings responded by winning their next five outings.
“Our true goal is to win every single game,” said Battistelli. “We don’t talk long-term. Sometimes after a win, we’ll say ‘A month from now, you’ll look back on this as being a big win.’ We put a tremendous amount of pressure on every game, and I think that helps us every game. (The players) know they’re expected to win. When that doesn’t happen, we’re very critical of ourselves. That’s just how we do it. Basketball is minute-to-minute, play-to-play, second-to-second.
“The thing I’m most proud of is that if you pick a game to see Northern Lebanon, you’re going to see Northern Lebanon. On any given day, you’re going to see the same product. The way we teach is the way we think basketball should be played. I’m not sure you could say that about a lot of players, a lot of teams, in this day and age. You know you’re going to see little kids wearing blue and gold and sweating their hearts out. That’s why 10 years after they graduate, we’re still close. When someone puts their faith in you like that, you love them forever. I’ve been able to coach my way for 18 years.”
There’s certainly something to be said for teams that play hard, play smart, and play together.
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