Published: January 18, 2008 10:52 am         

Alco, FH brace for historic meeting

Nothing against the Eirich brothers, because I like all three of them - Toby, Todd and Tedd - very much. I've never met Troy, of course, because, well ... nobody has.

Must be a recluse or something.

No, nothing at all against Coach Eirich and Coach Eirich, but when the Allegany boys (coached by Tedd) play host to Fort Hill (coached by Todd) tonight at Campobello, I think both coaches will tell you how nice they believe it will be that they won't be the story. And other than somebody we both know bringing it to light here that they aren't the story, they really aren't. While still kind of a novel thing, for the most part, when it comes to the Alco-Fort Hill hoops thing, that has become yesterday's news. Today's news is not about the coaches being brothers, but about the two teams the brothers coach.

Allegany and Fort Hill will enter play tonight as undefeated teams, and you ask, "Didn't we just do this?" We did. Back in November with football - for the seventh time in history. But from everything we can gather in the dusty old archives rooms here at Times-News High, and from the meticulous records of Allegany sports historian Donnie Gibson, tonight will mark the first time it's happened in basketball as the Campers are 11-0 and the Sentinels are 9-0.

Fort Hill is ranked No. 1 in the Times-News Area Poll and Allegany is ranked No. 2. Rounded off, the Sentinels are playing to an overall average score of 70-46, while Allegany is playing to average of 70-51. Against common opponents (Hampshire, Bishop Walsh, Mountain Ridge, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, Frankfort and Southern), Allegany's average score is 67-51 with Fort Hill's remaining 70-51.

Fort Hill has three players averaging in double-figure scoring: Jordan Brooks (21.5), Ryan Brooks (13.3) and Darren Graham (12.5). Allegany, on the other hand, has four players averaging in double figures: Cameron Butler (12.5), Casey Roberts (11.1), Travis Dordevic (10.7) and Jeff Babich (10.5).

Plus, factor in Fort Hill representing the Maryland Class 1A West Region in the Maryland state tournament last season, and Allegany the three seasons prior to that, and it's plain to see both schools' basketball programs are on as solid ground as possible. And that is not only a credit to the many outstanding players, but to the head coaches ... oh, what's their names? ... who have built these programs.

It's going to be a doozie, for lack of a better word, and it won't be for the faint of heart. In fact, with the tip-off for the varsity game being 7:30 p.m., and with the freshman and junior varsity games preceding them, the early line on the Allegany gym being packed is ... oh, 5:45, 6 o'clock?

If you're going early - and you would probably be wise to - make sure you're plenty hydrated because it's going to be a smoker, both on the court and in the stands (personally, I think the balcony at the Allegany gym provides the best seats in the house).

Oh, and this just in: NBA Entertainment/NBA TV will not, repeat, will not be here to film tonight's game for Versus, so no pep rally today at Town Centre.

One's not going to be needed.

Laffey rise continues

According to Baseball America, Cumberland's Aaron Laffey is the No. 5-ranked prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization. The projections, according to BA's Chris Kline, "are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible."

Kline, in putting together his ratings writes, " The good news is that the remade Indians are equipped to go on the same kind of run they enjoyed from 1995-2001, when they went to the playoffs six times in seven years."

The top four rated Cleveland prospects are right-handed pitcher Adam Miller, left-handed pitcher Chuck Lofgren, third baseman-first baseman Beau Mills, and third baseman Wes Hodges.

Laffey, the left-hander out of Allegany, is rated fifth by Kline, who writes, " Laffey fell to the 16th round in 2003 because of his commitment to Virginia Tech, but the Indians took a gamble on him and signed him. After bouncing between the bullpen and a starting role throughout his career, he moved back to the rotation for good in 2006 and hurried to the big leagues after just 22 starts in 2007 (for Double-A Akron and Triple-A Buffalo).

"Strengths: A groundball machine, Laffey pounds the bottom of the strike zone with three quality pitches. His 86-89 mph sinker has outstanding downward movement and his mid-80s slider has developed into an out pitch with late break. His changeup also improved significantly.

"Weaknesses: Left-handers hit .322 with power against Laffey in the majors, which doesn't make sense because he has the platoon advantage to go with his nasty slider. The Indians think it was more a fluke than anything and aren't concerned. His velocity is below-average, but his slider and changeup help his fastball play up.

"The Future: Laffey has surpassed fellow lefties Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers in Cleveland's plans. A future No. 3 or 4 starter, he'll compete for a rotation job this spring."

Laffey will be heading to spring training before too long, so make sure you take the time to give him a great sendoff next Saturday during the 60th annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club as he will be the repeat recipient of the George W. Stevenson-Nicholas A. Perlozzo Memorial Award for bringing the most national recognition to the Cumberland area through athletics.

Aaron will be happy to see you, and proceeds benefit the League for Crippled Children. Call The Original Sports Shoppe at (301) 722-5490 for your tickets.

Contact Mike Burke at mburke@times-news.com.