Tag Archives: athletics

Victoria Toomey is a Leader on Court for Dunmore Lady Bucks

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Victoria ToomeyBy Steve Svetovich

She was the Lackawanna League girls’ Player of the Year last season and Lynett Tournament MVP for a second consecutive season.

That’s Dunmore Lady Bucks center-forward Victoria Toomey who is savoring her senior season to the fullest.

Daughter of Pat and Carrie Toomey, her mom, the former Carrie Bowen, was a basketball standout at Dunmore High School and Franklin and Marshall College. Victoria’s mom is a member of the Northeast PA Sports Hall of Fame.

“My parents taught me to work hard,” Victoria said. “They teach me that if you work hard, anything can happen.”

The senior center-forward is fifth in Lackawanna League Division III in scoring with an average of 13.9 points per game and fifth in free throw percentage (.727). She averages over eight rebounds per game.

She earned her second consecutive Lynett Tournament MVP after the Lady Bucks easily defeated Holy Cross for another title.

Her reaction to being named MVP of the tournament?

“I was so happy. I just have to hand it to all of my teammates who gave me the opportunity. It was a great team effort and it could not have happened without all of them.”

She averaged close to 17 points a game and over eight rebounds last season when she was named Player of the Year.

Victoria already has a scholarship in place for next fall when she will play basketball and begin studies at Rider University in New Jersey. She will study sports management with a concentration in business.

Humble, but spirited in nature, Victoria credits her coach Ben O’Brien for much of her success. “I have learned a lot from him. Just so much.

“He teaches us to work hard and take nothing for granted. He teaches us to always play together as teammates and to communicate.”

The scholar-athlete has a 95 academic average. Her best academic subject is history. She is a member of SADD, TACT, the Earth Club, Spanish Club and Art Club.

basketballWith her team undefeated with a 15-0 record (7-0 in the division), she talked about the team’s outlook for the rest of the season.

“We are very happy with our season so far, but not content. We want to keep pushing and go for a state title. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Victoria talked about the great success of the Lady Bucks.

“It’s all about chemistry and knowing each other. It helps that we are all close friends. We have been playing together for so long. Most of us have been playing together since the fourth grade.

“I’m very lucky to be playing basketball at Dunmore. We are very thankful for all of the people who come to our games.”

Victoria said she is looking forward to playing basketball at Rider University and studying sports management. She would like to become a professional sports agent.

Victoria is a four-year member and three-year starter at Dunmore. She was an all-star selection as a sophomore and junior and All Regional in her junior year.

She has 1,040 career points at press time. Victoria scored her milestone 1,000th career point in a recent win last month against Mid Valley.

“Dunmore High School has been such a great experience for me. It is crazy to think four years have gone by and I am a senior. It has been so awesome here. Every game is so special. I am enjoying every moment.”

Callejas Carries on Family Tradition at Holy Cross High

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Caleb Callejas

By Steve Svetovich

Caleb Callejas has big shoes to fill, and he is filling them quite well. No pressure.

The junior starting guard for Holy Cross High School is averaging in double figures while playing team style Crusader basketball under his uncle Al Callejas.

And his dad Tim Callejas is an assistant coach at Holy Cross.

Caleb’s brother Cory played under his uncle graduating in 2012.

His cousins Connor and Al, Jr., played at Holy Cross under their dad graduating in 2014 and 1997.

Caleb said it is business as usual playing under his uncle and with his dad as the assistant.

“My uncle always wants the best from everybody. He treats me no different. He is never satisfied. He works us hard all the time.

“It is great playing with my dad on the sideline. He is always correcting me. He tells me what to do and how to do it right. He helps me to stay fit.”

Caleb has a 3.2 academic average at Holy Cross. His best academic subject is chemistry.

The three-year member of the Crusaders basketball team would like to major in biology in college. Caleb said he wants to eventually become an orthodontist.

basketballThe sharp shooting guard said he would like to attend the University of Scranton. He is unsure if he will play college basketball.

The Crusaders won 3 of its first 6 games this year, but Caleb is not worried. “We have two of our senior starters out right now,” he said. “When they come back we will be fine. We have a very good team. Our goal is a state title.”

Caleb said he has no problem balancing his time between practice, games and school work. “I study whenever I have the chance.”

He enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see rapper Travis Scott in concert.

Caleb talked about what is takes to excel from the guard position in high school basketball.

“You have to play both ends of the floor well. You need to take care of the ball. You need to pass when a teammate is open. And you need to hit the open shot.”

He talked about future goals.

“First of all, I want to play these two years of basketball as hard as possible and go for a couple state championships. After that I want to go to college and become an orthodontist.”

Caleb said he takes a lot from what his parents have taught him. “My parents always teach me to keep my head up and never get down on myself. They tell me things will work out in the end if I work hard.”

And that’s hard work, the Crusader way. He’s another Callejas in the mix.

Athlete of the Month: Emma Coar

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Athlete of the Month - Emma CoarBy Steve Svetovich

Dunmore High School Homecoming Queen Emma Coar has many passions, but one stands out.

She is a kicker for the district champion Dunmore football team.

Daughter of Thomas and Jennifer Coar, the multi talented senior is also ranked second in her class with a 98.9 academic average.

Emma excels on the Dunmore soccer team where she is a captain and two-time All-Star. She is a member of the school band, member and treasurer of the honor society, vice president of the Spanish Club, treasurer of the Music Guild and writes for the school newspaper.

And it was Dunmore veteran football coach Jack Henzes, currently recuperating from a heart ailment, who asked Emma to join the football team.

“Coach Henzes asked me in gym class,” said Emma. “He saw me in kickball and liked how I kicked.

“I thought about it and looked at it as an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I looked at it as a great way to remember my senior year.

“My parents were very supportive. They had my back and were there for me. They always teach me to have a strong work ethic.”

Emma went on to excel as a kicker. She kicked over 40 extra points for the district champions.

“It was not a problem with the boys on the team. They looked at me as another athlete on the team. Just like anyone else. They never looked at me as different.

“The practices were not that hard for me. I pretty much was on my own with workouts during practice.

bucks“Coach Henzes continued to support me. He is always very supportive. Even though he was out, Kevin McHale and the other coaches were always in contact with him. Coach McHale was also very supportive.”

Emma, humble and hard working, said she is undecided about a college major but would like to attend the University of Scranton. Her favorite subject is history.

“I like all my classes though.”

Emma enjoys music and would love to see Khalid, an R and B rap artist, in concert.

She talked about another one of her passions, soccer.

“I love soccer,” she said. “You need to put in a lot of work and time to excel in it. You need to be passionate about it.”

Emma said her experience at Dunmore High School has been awesome.

“I learned a very good foundation for my future. The teachers and coaches have been great. I made a great group of friends who I will always be in contact with no matter where we all go to college or in life. 

We will be friends forever. It is really a great school.”