Published Thursday, March 25, 1999 
"I thought when we went in '86, that that was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, I really did,'' the veteran mentor related, before pausing a couple seconds to admit with a sheepish laugh, "but I'm glad it wasn't!''
For the fifth time during his 17-year tenure and for the second straight spring, Votino will lead the Golden Eagles to HersheyPark Arena. Kennedy Christian (23-6) -- winner of 19 of its last 20 games -- will attempt to defend its PIAA Class A crown beginning 3 p.m. Friday afternoon when it meets Bishop Hannan (28-2).
Votino (363-130) is 3-1 in his clubs' appearances in Chocolatetown, including last year's 51-48 victory over Reading-Holy Name. And despite the fact the Golden Eagles have ascended to the top of the Harrisburg Patriot-News poll, he insists there is no pressure on his club.
"Our coaching staff would never do that, but I was really upset about three weeks ago because we've got six losses and they ranked us No. 1 in the state,'' Votino said. "It really ticked me off, because I don't like being ranked No. 1, especially when Bishop Hannan has two losses and we have six. But I think the kids put the pressure on themselves, but then again, you never know how kids are gonna handle pressure. But I'm so proud of my kids because this is very difficult to do, and up to this point, they have handled the pressure very well.''
The Golden Eagles' starting quintet includes 6-5 junior frontliner John Reimold, who nearly doubled his season scoring average of 18.1 ppg. with a career-best 32-point performance against Duquesne, 5-11 senior point guard Marcus Oatis, 5-9 senior 2-guard Ryan McElhinny, 6-2 sophomore 3-guard Keenan Christiansen (13.9 ppg.) and 6-foot senior forward Tony Hurl. Blossoming 6-4 sophomore Gary Satterwhite, 6-1 junior swingman Kenton Hockett and 5-10 frosh sharpshooter Danny McElhinny also figure into the rotation.
Oatis, who sustained a bruised hip and sprained right wrist against Duquesne, was pronounced ready to play by team physician Dr. Michael Namey following Wednesday's practice.
Scranton-based Bishop Hannan is something of an unknown commodity to western Pennsylvania basketball aficionados. However, the Golden Lancers are no strangers to Votino and his coaching staff of Lou Christiansen, Mike Bluey and Gary Wilson. Following the completion of Wednesday evening's practice, Votino leafed through a voluminous 21-page scouting report.
"They're the best team we've played all year and they're as well coached as some of the teams we've played this year, they're very well coached,'' Votino began. "They have guards that can penetrate and they are very quick; there's no question they're the quickest and fastest guards we've faced all year."
Quicker than Duquesne's Joe Boxley and Jaison Cook?
"Not even close,'' Votino replied.
The Lancers are led by 6-foot-1 freshman 3-guard Gerry McNamara who is averaging 18.1 points per game. A year ago at this time, he was leading Holy Rosary elementary school to the state Diocesan championship. In his first game as a varsity player this year, McNamara pumped in 39 points.
"He's special, very special,'' third-year Bishop Hannan head coach John Bucci said. "I'd be lying if I said he does any one thing well; he does everything extremely well. He can pull up and shoot, take it to the hole, and his best attribute is when he passes. He's the type player you (as a coach) live for in this game.
"But as good as Gerry is,'' Bucci continued, "he is a freshman, so we have to keep that in perspective. We spread the wealth around. Our point guard (5-7 senior Brian Coyle, who averages 8.6 ppg.) is an outstanding young man and a great leader and we try to get a lot of things out of him, also.''
The Golden Lancers, the Lackawanna League Division II and District 2 titlists who amassed an 18-game regular-season winning skein, also start 5-8 junior 2-guard Brian Murtaugh (6.3) and a pair of 6-4 forwards in Pat Gilroy (3.7) and Shawn Hayes (10.7), a senior and junior, respectively. Bob Foley (11.4), a 6-2 senior, and 6-4 junior Tim Moskwa (7.1), as well as juniors David Jones and Dugan Gallagher, 6-2 and 5-10, respectively, also are part of the rotation.
Bishop Hannan, currently on a 9-game roll including victories over Holy Name (49-45) and, most recently, Susquehanna Community (48-38). It also owns wins over four Quad-A schools, including state finalist Williamsport (90-84). The Lancers averaged 72.6 points per game and allowed 55.3 during the regular season, but during the PIAA playoffs those respective numbers are 65.2 and 49.8.
"We like to run, but if it ends up in a slow-down type of game, we can 'D' it up good, too,'' Bucci related. "Our last two games we won because of our defense, we're not kidding anybody. We play man-to-man, but some zone the last two games which we hadn't all year. And we'll zone press full court and man-to-man, too. We'll throw everything at you. Scoring may not be as much as both teams are used to, but it won't be a 32-30 game, either.''
"We've prepared for eight offenses,'' Votino related. "And they run them well. Sometimes, when you have too many offenses, you don't run 'em well. They run 'em well. ... A lot of their (transition) points come off of their 2-2-1 press. They get a lot of points off their press. They will go 2-2-1 three-quarters and they will go a 1-2-1-1 three-quarters.
"They can't penetrate. If they penetrate, we're gonna get in foul trouble, so we've gotta stop their penetration,'' Votino succinctly assessed.
The contest contrasts the respective coaches. Following the Golden Eagles' 64-41 victory over Duquesne in the Western Regional finale, Votino viewed tape until 3 a.m., the spent five hours preparing his game plan.
"Mr. Tony Farnell (the former Farrell High coach and a Hazelton native whose son, Anthony, is a junior varsity Kennedy Christian cager) got me four tapes on Bishop Hannan, and I thank him for that,'' Votino said.
Conversely, the 36-year-old Bucci said of Kennedy, "I've never seen them play; I'm going in blind. I know they're well coached. ... With their record and past (state) appearances, I know how good they are. We've got to do what we do best. Hopefully, if we do what we do best, we'll have an advantage; if we don't, we're gonna have to make some adjustments and go from there.''
Bucci gained his coaching experience by leading St. Paul's to one parochial state championship and another runner-up berth, then interned three seasons under his Bishop Hannan predecessor, Mark Finan. Making his first trip to Hershey, he admitted, "I'm excited, a little nervous, to be honest with you. ... We thought we'd be good and advance to state, but we never talked about going all the way to the big show.''
For Votino, his fifth trip is as exciting as the first. The normally loquacious taskmaster almost was at a loss for words when asked if he ever tires of heading to Hershey.
"Oh, you kidding me? This is great ... c'mon, this is great,'' Votino replied, before flashing back to 1986.
"It was more emotional and unexpected, so it was more exciting -- and they're all exciting -- but that first one, you don't think that you can ever do it and it's so overwhelming. But the feeling is always the same, I think it's just a little bit more overwhelming the first time.''
Votino's savvy and experience would seem to serve as an edge.
"I've told them I've been there four times, they've gotta listen to me, I know how this goes,'' Votino told his team following the win over Duquesne. "It's gets harder, it gets harder; this is not easy, I'm gonna tell you. I'm excited, this is great, but I'm gonna tell you, it doesn't get any easier, believe me.
"It's like all the other times, it's a great feeling,'' Votino added, concluding, "and when we win Friday, it'll be a greater feeling.''
