Balichik gets all-state honors
MOUNT CARMEL — Mount Carmel Area High School’s Michael Balichik capped off a great season by being named to the PA Sports Writers’ Class 3A boys basketball second-team on Wednesday.
Balichik scored an area-best 417 points — 20.9 points per game — while having some of the competitions’ best players defending him.
That’s even after the senior — who recently was named the Press Enterprise’s boys basketball MVP —lost some of his confidence on the court coming into the season.
“He kind of got away from” shooting the ball, Mount Carmel coach John Lazicki said. “When he missed a shot or two, I’d have to get on him to keep shooting the ball. He was unique in how he would score 20 points a game, but didn’t like to shoot.”
Balichik led the Red Tornadoes in majority of the stat sheet, including rebounds (155 for 7.8 per game) and assists, with 85 (4.3 per game).
Lazicki said most of that stems from Balichik’s strong work ethic, something the coach noticed in the young man as far back as eighth grade.
“He was such a perfectionist that he led our team in nearly every category,” Lazicki said. “Him being a perfectionist helped him do that, but it also hurt because if something wasn’t working early, he tended to get away from his craft a little bit. His numbers could have been even better.”
His performance on the court certainly will be missed, but his intangibles are what Lazicki hopes his young returning core learned from and can bring back next season.
“He was the perfect senior leader,” Lazicki said. “He was perfect for the freshman and young guys. He led by example with his composure and his attitude. He practiced and played hard every day. He’s a kid that every coach loves to have. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player.
“I’m so happy for the kid. I was hoping he would get recognized on the third team, at least. I never thought second-team, but he deserves it. It goes to show the level of talent this state has and it’s fantastic. I’m glad he got noticed.”
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