Despite loss, JT girls have bright future

EASTON — On Saturday afternoon, Jim Thorpe suffered a loss to Bethlehem Central Catholic in the District 11 4A girls’ championship game.

It marked the second consecutive year the Olympians lost to the Hawks, who won a 4A state title in 2018-19 and look poised to yet again challenge for state gold.

The sting of a recent defeat is never easy to get over, especially in a championship game, but Jim Thorpe has something that can help ease its pain that most others teams do not - a bright future. The Olympians (23-4) are one of the youngest postseason teams in all of District 11, starting four sophomores and one freshman, and they’ve already made their mark, playing in numerous big games with this group.

The Olympians have compiled a record of 49 wins and just six losses over the past two seasons.

“The small picture of losing today stings,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Rob Kovac. “But looking at the big picture, this group has accomplished some impressive things. In two years, we’ve played in two Schuylkill League finals, winning one; we’ve played in two district championships, losing to last year’s state champ; and this year again to a Becahi team that is built for another run at it.

“We’ve accomplished a lot. While we’re all disappointed in today’s outcome, you have to stop and appreciate being here, playing in a packed gym for a district title, with a chance to advance in the state tournament.”

There’s certainly a lot to look forward to even for this season for the young Olympians. Thorpe will have a chance to regroup and focus its sights on trying to get hot in the state playoffs, with that journey starting on Saturday afternoon as it faces off with the No. 3 seed out of District 12 in Bonner Prendergast.

The game will take place at the Lehighton Elementary Center at 2 p.m.

“There’s no doubt our goal is to win a district title with this group before they graduate, but we can accomplish another first for Jim Thorpe girls’ basketball if we’re able to advance in the state tournament. No Jim Thorpe girls’ team has ever won a state playoff game,” said Kovac. “The first thing we said in the locker room is that we have to wash this away today; we’ll talk about what we need to improve on starting Monday, and we’ll get ready for Bonner.

“Winning a state playoff is a big goal for us; we know we’re going to be close to home, so there’s still a lot of positives to focus on.”