Mark Bevacqua transfers to Blair Academy

BY JOBY FAWCETT (STAFF WRITER)
Published: June 25, 2009

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Mark Bevacqua has transfered to a prep school that features one of the top basketball programs in the country.

A two-time All-Region player at Holy Cross, the 6-foot, 6-inch center has enrolled at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. He had one season of eligibility remaining with the Crusaders

"I went down there for an informal visit, and they had a reunion game of former players, and it is just way too big an opportunity for me to pass it up," Bevacqua said. "I didn't want to be five years down the road and wonder what if?"

In one season at Bishop Hannan and two at Holy Cross, Bevacqua developed into a force in the paint.

As a junior, the Nicholson resident led Holy Cross to the Lackawanna League Division II and District 2 Class AA titles, averaging 13.7 points and 7 rebounds per game. In the playoffs, where the Crusaders advanced to the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals, Bevacqua averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.

He earned the Division II player of the year honor after averaging 11.3 points per game.

Once again, Bevacqua had a big postseason, scoring 17.3 points per game as Holy Cross repeated as District 2 Class AA champions.

"It will be a challenge being away from home," said the 17-year-old Bevacqua, who has enrolled at Blair as a junior. "The last seven years, I've been playing with the same five guys in AAU and high school, so I'm going to miss those guys. That was the biggest factor that I had to consider, not being able to play with those guys anymore.

"As far as I know, they support me."

This summer, Bevacqua is playing AAU basketball for JBHoops, coached by John Bucci, from Riverfront Sports Complex and the Upstate Elite in Syracuse.

"Mark is a good kid, and we wish him well," Holy Cross coach Al Callejas said.

Blair Academy, which is coached by Joe Mantegna, has an NBA alumni list that includes Royal Ivey, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, Luol Deng, a member of the All-Rookie team in 2005 for the Chicago Bulls and Charlie Villanueva, a first-round pick of the Bucks in 2005.

Currently, there are 12 Blair Academy graduates playing NCAA basketball.

"The competion is tough, and you have to work to get to that level or you get caught and overwhelmed by it," Bevacqua said. "It will be good competition, and I want to see how far I can go."

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com

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40 posted comments

To have a 17 year old decide to leave a school and teammates that he was comfortable with to prepare for D1 school and hoops is honorable in my book. To the people who would try to put the kid down for trying to better himself get a life. It is a top school that will give him opportunities to practice and play against guys his own size and bigger and to not be in the paint all game. you never know until you try so give it all you got Mark and the true sports fans are rooting for you all the way buddy.
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jj,  06/25/09 10:23
To the selfish people who are saying he abandoned his team. Do you forget every player on this team abandoned there public school teams to play at HC. Hypocrits. If they could not win with last years team they are not going to win this year.good luck mark
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of,  06/25/09 04:49
"We never know how high we are until we are called to rise" unfortunately a 17 yr old kid understands this message better than many people out there who are afraid to take a chance and really test thier potential. For those who think its about the team more than yourself thats probably because, without that one person your team is mediocre at best the truth is that a team is in fact a family and a family does not stop one another from succeeding so quit your crying and be happy for the kid...congratulations i hope you go far
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NBA STAR,  06/25/09 04:41
The article says he is enrolling at Blair Academy as a junior? So he's repeating his junior year of high school? Why is he doing that and why is that allowed?
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Scott,  06/25/09 03:58
Why does this even make the sports section? First of all - This should not even be allowed but I guess that its the normal procedure for Catholic schools, Prep Schools, ETC. Whatever they are considered. Have fun Riding the bench - Youll be back at Holy Cross before the season even starts. If this was college - you would have to sit out the year. It actually reminds me of the kid from the wyoming valley conference that played football for 4 different schools in 4 years. What a Joke.
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DG,  06/25/09 03:52
If the family moved to NJ, then he had to transfer, if not I think this is a dumb move considering it's his last year. He may go from a school hero to a no name on a better team. What's the saying, you go from a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a big ocean.
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Me,  06/25/09 02:15
There was a large contingency that wanted Andrew "the deuce-man" Conaboy to make this move. Many say he would have won an NBA championship this past year with the Lakers if he had.

Good luck, Mark.

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Bill,  06/25/09 02:00
To BH Basketball player: Did you forget who played at Hershey?? A man by the name of Kobe Bryant!!! Also, if this kid was any good( as some of the posters on here are saying), it wouldnt make a difference where he plays. If your real good, the scouts will find you and recruit you regardless of where you play at....clowns....Just ask Bob Sura and Gerry Mcnamarra. Your making it sound like he wouldnt have gotten a free ride if he stayed around here. Not true... If he was to go to one of the bigger Colleges, he'd probably ride the pine for three years...maybe four. He's better off going to a smaller Division 1 if he wants play time for four years( and he can still go for free). So to Know the game, DaveH, and Coach.......my words are real!!!
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Coach K,  06/25/09 01:30
Good luck, Mark
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Cousin Jimmy,  06/25/09 12:56
Snacker, maybe he found out that the Bishop may be closing Holy Cross HS by the time of next year's states !!!
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Frank,  06/25/09 12:34
Congrats... now hurry up and graduate so you can go to PENN STATE.
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Jimmy,  06/25/09 12:34
Congrats Beva, way to get out and try and make something for yourself. You know and everyone knows if you stayed there you would end up playing at Misercorida, or Kings or possbily Holy Cross or Cuse. But now that you got out of there and moved to a place where theres better competion and better players, it will bring the best out of you and you will def go far in basketball and life. Congrats, and who cares about Hershey, you be playing for the NJ and NY title at MSG, I think thats better then Hershey Arena. Good Luck kid !
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former BH basketball player,  06/25/09 12:27
They couldnt win a state chanmpioship when they had the best point guard in the area Nico Fricchione. There lack of guard play got exposed last year so how can they win one this year. Learn the game and then post.But remember he increased his chances to get a free education. Typical scranton person live today and forget the future.
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knows the game,  06/25/09 11:35
Why is he leaving? Family moving to NJ?? Was this a move to better him?? If so, I have a hard time supporting people who are selfish. The team is more important than the person. Holy Cross was the favorite to win state, I was taught you sacrifice for the team but that was 20 yrs ago times have changed. I wish the kid luck but man this is not good for high school sports when people can leave this. Between the kid in Cali who skipped his senior season to go overseas to play basketball to the baseball kid who is 16 dropping out of school to get ready for the 2010 MLB draft, I know these selfish beople have the right to do it but it doesn't make it right. Maybe I'm reading to much into it...
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DC,  06/25/09 11:33
Snacker, what a nit-wit. Kudos to this kid for realizing what a great opportunity he had in front of him and going for it.
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daveh,  06/25/09 10:55
Thank you for deserting your team when we had a chance to go all the way this coming year. Best of Luck riding the pine in NJ.
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Crusader,  06/25/09 10:00
Anyone who would bash a 17yr old for trying to better his career should be ashamed of themselves. Good luck Mark, make us proud!!!!
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COACH,  06/25/09 09:56
Congrats! One that follows high school bball on a NATIONAL level knows that this is an awesome opportunity. Best of luck to you, consider playing ball in the Big East at St. Johns please
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Eddie Mc,  06/25/09 08:23
This kid just throw away a good chance to play foe a state
title. This team had everyone back, they were the favorite to go to Hershey.
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Snacker,  06/25/09 08:02
Joby,

Thank you - Janice Bevacqua

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Janice,  06/25/09 06:02
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