Who are the 2015 Indians?

The packed Lehighton gym curiously awaited a long and anticipated answer in a non-league season tip-off clash with rival Palmerton on Friday.Five first-year starters took the floor and impressed for the Tribe, en route to a 55-37 toppling of Palmerton."None of them (Lehighton players) really have any experience, which has surprised a lot of people," said Lehighton head coach Rich Oertner. "They work pretty hard at practice, and as you watched the game, they (Palmerton) got more tired than we did - their shots were falling short."Five of Oertner's normal, but new, six-man rotation all check in at 6-2 or taller.Oertner said, "We have a lot of length in our rotation and everyone knows where they're at. We only play six guys, but they all do a real good job of being where they're supposed to be."After trailing by eight after the first frame, Palmerton came out ice cold - shooting just one of 12 in the second quarter. The Indians took advantage of the drought and never trailed in the game."Some shots just didn't fall for us," said Palmerton had coach Leigh Keenan. "Our transition defense was out of whack; they (Lehighton) really pushed it on us. But, it's nothing we can't work on. We got a lot of the shots we really wanted, got the ball where we wanted to, but sometimes the shots just don't fall."Palmerton was eight of 13 from the floor in the third frame. The Bombers looked much better during the sequence behind Mike Stasko's six-point quarter and Mason Stahler's dirty work in the paintJust after Stasko's scoring streak in the third frame, Lehighton's 6-4 forward Hunter Greene decided enough was enough - as he showcased leadership, the athleticism to put the ball on the floor, and the ability shoot from distance. The Tribe totaled six three-pointers during the win."They lack a little bit in size, and I felt that we had to take it inside more," said Greene, who had a dozen points and 15 boards. "We have guys that run the fast break really well, and we can sub in and out (while having length and speed on the floor). We play as a team. Every one of our kids scores, plays hard, and that's definitely a key to our success. Palmerton is a good rival, so we knew we would have to come out and battle."During the fourth period, it was another lengthy newcomer who stepped up for the Tribe. Damian Mele exploded for eight points during the final frame. The 6-3 junior tallied a game-high 17 points and a trio of triples."Mele shot the ball well from outside. He normally doesn't shoot like that, but I've seen him make ten in a row already in a scrimmage."BOARDS OFF THE BENCH … Nick Chambers is the only returning Lehighton starter, and he came off the bench on Friday. The senior just wrapped up football season and, and still managed to put up eight points and 12 rebounds in limited action.ANOTHER NEW FACE … Lehighton's 6-2 wing Steven Jackson played his first-ever career basketball game. The junior showed much poise, chipping in six point and contributing some pivotal defense.HAY, I'M BACK! … Palmerton's fourth-year varsity big-man Spencer Hay was work-man like during the first game of his senior campaign. Hay chipped in a dozen points despite the loss.LEHIGHTONTroxell 0-0-0-0, McDowell 3-0-0-7, Zwetolitz 1-0-0-3, Jackson 3-0-2-6, Mele 4-6-8-17, Skrincosky 1-0-0-2, Chambers 3-2-5-8, Greene 4-3-4-12. TOTALS: 19-11-19-55.PALMERTONHay 6-0-2-12, Svetik 0-0-0-0, Yaindl 1-0-0-2, Papay 1-0-1-3, Suto 1-0-2-2, Perschy 0-0-0-0, Andress 0-0-0-0, Stasko 3-1-5-7, Stahler 3-5-6-11. TOATLS: 15-6-16-37.Palmerton 8 2 18 9 - 37Lehighton 16 10 13 16 - 55Three-pointers: Lehighton: McDowell 1, Zwetolitz 1, Mele 3, Greene 1; Palmerton: Papay 1.