Sammy Barona, Sr., has been hired as Bethlehem Catholic\u2019s new boys basketball coach.<\/p>\n
Barona had been an assistant on Scott McClary\u2019s staff. McClary resigned in March after eight seasons leading the Golden Hawks program.<\/p>\n
In a release, the Becahi athletic department said, \u201cCoach Barona brings over 20 years of basketball as both a professional player and highly respected coach, with a proven record of player development, program building and competitive success at every level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Athletic director Steve Tomaszewski said, \u201cSammy Barona embodies everything we value in Bethlehem Catholic athletics: leadership, integrity and a commitment to developing the whole student-athlete. His experience as a professional player, combined with his ability to develop high-level talent and built meaningful relationships, makes him the ideal leader for our program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barona\u2019s basketball resume includes a Hall of Fame career at Lehigh-Carbon Community College, a standout career at Kutztown University, a 10-year professional career overseas including France and the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n
Following his playing days, Barona became a coach and founded Basketball L.A.B., a premier player developmental program that has produced several of the area\u2019s top players.<\/p>\n
In the release, Barona said, \u201cThis is a special community with a proud tradition. My goal is to build a program rooted in discipline, toughness and accountability, while developing young men who succeed on the court, in the classroom and in life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barona\u2019s son, Sammy, Jr., was a member of last year\u2019s Golden Hawks team. Amani Barona, a freshman, is also a part of the Becahi program.<\/p>\n
His wife, the former Brianne Homyak, is member of both the Marian Catholic and Kutztown University Hall of Fame. Mrs. Barona, starred in both women\u2019s basketball and softball for the Golden Bears. She was twice a first team all-PSAC selection in women\u2019s basketball. She was also a second team selection in softball.<\/p>\n
In basketball, she graduated with KU career records with a 54.3 field goal percentage and an 81.7 free throw percentage. She was fifth and currently ranks seventh all-time in scoring with 1,248 points and finished eighth in rebounding with 550. Her 325 career free throws rank second all-time at KU, while she was just the fifth player in school history to play in the postseason all four years. She is a special education teacher at the secondary level.<\/p>\n
Becahi finished last season with a 12-11 overall record, 7-9 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.<\/p>\n
Tomaszewski added, \u201cWith deep ties to the local basketball community and a reputation for developing elite talent, [Barona] is uniquely positioned to elevate Bethlehem Catholic basketball to new heights. Coach Barona has already demonstrated his ability to connect with our student-athletes and elevate their performance. We are confident that under his leadership, our program will compete at the highest level while continuing to reflect the values of our school.\u201d<\/p>\n
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