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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From a basketball stand point it was the smart thing to do. He can go to Blair Academy knowing he has to years left to prove himself so we will able to get an atheltic scolarship and play NCAA ball in two years. But for Al Callejas and his Crusaders are gunna need a different game plan as they head into to this season trying to three-peat as District 2 Class AA champions.But I wish Mark Bevacqua well.

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Kyler Kovaleski, 09/18/2009 21:09

I went to high school with Mark & he was such a humble person & had great talent. Many are saying he's abonding the team but people have to realize that Hannan now HC was/is known for basketball & just about every guy on the team dreamed of taking his basketball career to the next level. If Mark stayed here he might not have had the opportunity to to go to a good D1 school like Gerry McNamera & Nico Fricchione did. Someone mentioned that the HC players left public school to play at Hc, most of the them have been in catholic school for most of their school years. It will be dissapointing not to have Mark playing for HC but it doesn't mean that everyone should criticize his decisions. He's 17 years old let him make his own choices. Good luck Mark & I hope your successful!

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Former Lancer, 07/08/2009 01:13

What everyone need to realize commenting this is that Marc has a great opportunity presented in front of him and this decision was not made easy he had alot of people to think of his family, friends, and his team not to metion its his senior year don't you think he wants to spend it with his girlfriend? If she can support him why can't you? In highschool you make many friends then you go your different ways and even though you may stay friends you don't see each other everyday like in highschool, just because he is doing it sooner doesn't change the fact that it was going to happen next spring when they graduate anyway. To hold himself back to make everyone else in the town happy would be a horrible decsion. He needs to think about himself and his future here. By staying around here he would be held back from his dream and if everyone is selfish enough to ask him to do that then go ahead but I am going to support him all of the way. Make your dreams come true. I know you will do great! Best wishes and good luck we will be watching and SUPPORTING!

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LH, 07/04/2009 10:26

Anyone that knows Mark Bevacqua has had the priviledge to be acquainted with a wonderful person, a king and caring, respectful young man. He has an opportunity of a lifetime and with hard work and commitment, I have no doubt that he will accomplish all of his dreams and make all of his hard work pay off. That's right. Mark has worked hard for this opportunity and he deserves all of our support. I whole heartedly give him mine!

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Williamsport Fan, 07/03/2009 16:27

When you are a player on any kind of sports team, ultimately the coach of the team is what "makes or breaks" them. I played girls High School BB over 25 years ago and was a "1000 point" scorer and held several other records. If I had an opportunity like this one, I would have jumped on it in a second. We could have had Championship teams, too, but our coach never made us feel like a "team" and most of the time brought our morale down with negative comments and never any positive feedback. This is what happened to me and I would have loved to get out of that school and continue on with playing the game I "used" to love playing. Who knows what may have happened? Not me, because I (or anyone for that matter) didn't have opportunities like HS players have today. Times have changed and I hope Mark gets a new start with a new respect for the game he loves. Only 6 more to go for the 1000, maybe you should play 1 quarter or so the first game. JUST KIDDING - now that would be selfish and abandonment.
GOOD LUCK, NEPHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE, SUPPORT & PRAYERS

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Aunt Diane, 06/27/2009 01:29

I was on the team and Mark talked to me over a month ago maybe he did not tell all the players but I know he talke to his close friends. You dont know what bad went on behind the sceens no one needs to know. He made a good choice.

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hc, 06/26/2009 22:59

HC 2010
To the classmates/teammates you know the truth how the game was played. Are you jealous of Mark's opportunities. As part of going to a catholic school you are taught to respect others, If you think anything of Mark as a person you should be happy for him and wish him luck and stop complaining because you didn't know about him going to a new school. Good Luck Mark, follow your dreams as far as they will take you.

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Parent of student, 06/26/2009 21:32

Holy Cross coach knew two weeks before story in paper. HC administration knew it was likely before school was out.

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knowsthestory, 06/26/2009 18:28

Coach K What is HC coach doing for these kids. There is alot of other talent on this team, what schools does he have looking at them? He had the Best point guard in the area in nico who did he have here looking at him? What offers did he get him?

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BBfan, 06/26/2009 18:06

Is it coach K or coach C? You seam a little bitter are you close to the Team? Everyone is concerned he did not tell anyone about his decision. no one knows what was involved in his decision there could be good reasons why he had to wait to let info out, only him and his family know. From talking to people close to team there is alot going on behind sceens with this team that would suprise alot of people.

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OF, 06/26/2009 17:13

WW, your comments are nonsense. Are you saying that parents who want their kids to go to Prep or Holy Cross for sports want them to do so because the level of play is better than Public Schools? Most of those kids on Holy Cross either went to B.O or B.H. They were both Catholic Private schools.

Why didn't Gerry Mcnamarra or Bob Sura, Kobe Bryant, Gerald Henderson go to Blair. They didnt need to. They played at Basketball camps all summer during their young careers. Scouts knew who they were because they were great players. Regardless if he goes to Blair or not, like I said, He's going to get the same offers wheteher he's at Holy Cross or Blair. He may not even get as much playing time at Blair either. He's taking a big chance here.

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Coach k, 06/26/2009 17:00

Most not all of the students that are attending Holy Cross came through the Catholic School System. They never went to public school. So how are they leaving a public school if they never attended one? Get your facts straight.

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Catholic School Boy, 06/26/2009 15:56

I can't stand you people who are all entralled because he's 'abandoning' his team. I believe OF hit the nail on the head already. Every player on that team left a public school team as well. And I know some went because their parents wanted a private/catholic education, but some went because they knew they'd be able to play on a higher level team. This is a fantastic move for Bevacqua, and I think it will go quite a ways in getting him noticed. I don't know how anyone can blame him for trying to better himself and his prospects for the future.

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WW, 06/26/2009 14:44

"As far as I know they support me" how does he know? Has he ever asked them? Talked to them? Only Mark knows the truth.

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bystander, 06/26/2009 13:44

If he can't get into the IVY league now with his grades, he shouldnt be going to those schools in the first place. If he is as good as you people say, I am sure alot of Patriot Teams are already looking at him. Thats up to his H.S. coach to get his name out there and thats up to Matt to get to every basketball camp as possible to get noticed. So by switching High Schools, wouldnt really make a difference. The Talent may be a little better in NJ , but he's not the only 6'6 guy around. Regardless if he stayed here or goes there, He's still going to get the same college basketball offers. So why leave then? He's abandoning his team, thats just my opinion

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Coach K, 06/26/2009 12:46

Hey classmate of Marks, did he tell you he was transferring? Let you know he was interested in going there? He did not even tell his teammates or coach that he was going. I am a classmate also, I found out like all the rest, by reading it in the paper.

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Crusader2010, 06/26/2009 12:35

I am also a classmate of Mark's at Holy Cross. Mark never told any of his classmates or better yet his teammates that he was leaving. How about his Coach? Did he tell him? The answer is no. He still plays with some of his teammates and has not told any of them. REAL CLASS.

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HC2010, 06/26/2009 10:39

Hey coach K you have no clue what you are talking about.He was already offered a scholarship this is a chance to improve his game and open more options academically in such confrences as the Ivy and Patriot league which will allow him a better life in the future. Remember this is about life after basketball he is not going to the NBA but he is going into life and this will best prepare him.To Scott he is going in as a junior because he is a young 17 this will allow him to get an extra year for his body to mature and grow and devolop gueard skills that would never happen in the lackawnna league because of his size..The NCAA in the past two years have changed the rules that if you graduate with your degree you cant go to a prep school. Mark is on track to graduate and the coach from Bliar wanted him for two years so the move was made now.

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knows the game, 06/26/2009 07:22

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knows the game, 06/26/2009 01:24

I am a member of Mark's class at Holy Cross, and although we are not that close, I do know one thing. Mark is an amazing athlete and a great person. He is extremely humble and is super friendly. I know I can speak for most of my class when I say that we're really proud of him and are going to miss him. Good luck in everything you do Mark, I know you'll be great, as always.

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Classmate, 06/26/2009 00:04

Mark Bevacqua transfers to Blair Academy

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