Coach Greg Fox

It was a rough season last winter for Coach Greg Fox’s Vikings varsity basketball squad. They found themselves on the losing side way more often than not. But the players didn’t give up and have kept up the pace since last season.

“We have a good group of kids coming back," Fox says. "We go about 12 months a year and work hand in hand with the youth program.” He and Ray Bartha (long-time A-R girls’ basketball coach) run the youth program, which gives kids down to the elementary school level the opportunity to play organized basketball.

Meanwhile, the varsity players step in alongside the two coaches and help the younger guys learn the game. Fox says, "Our kids in the past have been great for the youth program. The little kids look at these kids as heroes, as role models." Many of the Vikings also played summer hoops besides working with the youth program. Three seniors return, complemented by "some other kids that played real well this summer,” according to Fox. “We rotated 10-11 kids this summer. The job's wide open,” when it comes to the starting lineup.

And that lineup will still have to face some serious section skirmishes. Philly’s entrance into the PIAA indirectly knocked two old Viking rivals, Leechburg and Elderton, out of the section. Now Apollo-Ridge has to contend with Burrell and East Allegheny.

Fox says, “Our section is still as tough as ever. It will be another tough section battle for us.” Look for the Vikings to be up to the task, tough it out, and not give up without a fight. Fox tells you about this year’s crew, and also his “new” assistant coach he describes as a “breath of "fresh air” at this link.