In Lower Bucks history, 2004 was certainly one year to remember. There was the entire Smarty Jones excitement that unified not just this community, but the entire country. Locally, there were the runs of Holy Ghost Prep basketball and Neshaminy football to the state championship games. Two girls soccer teams, Council Rock-South and Villa Joseph Marie, won state championships.

But that’s now yesterday’s news with the coming of the New Year. And the flip of the calendar page to 2005 gives a chance to gaze ahead at some great new moments that are sure to lie ahead.

We have compiled 25 such trends and storylines to watch for as we head into 2005. They aren’t predictions or resolutions as much as they are things to watch and keep in mind for the New Year.

They are given in no particular order of importance. Instead, they are broken down into categories that make things easier to understand and look for in the next 364 days.

ADMINSTRATIVE/ OTHER TRENDS

1)The Philadelphia Catholic League’s Days of Decision

This is the first major event of 2005, starting on Tuesday with the vote of the Board of Governors that likely will strike down a change in football alignments. Other issues that are certain to follow include possible membership in the PIAA and eventual school closings seeming to draw closer every day.

2) The Public/Private issue in the PIAA

Some public schools feel emboldened to try and push this issue in the wake of the recent football championships and the possibility of the PCL joining in the near future. However, it’s probably an issue that won’t go away quickly… i.e. within 12 months.

3) District 12’s impact on the PIAA basketball playoffs In the fall, the Public League’s original journey into the PIAA playoffs went unrewarded. No teams won a game at any level and Washington’s football squad was the only one that seemed to be competitive. This year, that could change as the Pub appears to be the favorite to win three of the boys basketball classes.

4) Suburban One League football reshuffling?

Last season, teams like Harry S Truman complained that the new SOL setup didn’t take into account how many players were coming out for teams, instead lumping schools like Truman (high enrollment, low football turnout) and North Penn (huge enrollment, huge football turnout) together in the same group. There will be more complaints, but there doesn’t seem to be any groundswell of change movement coming forward at the present time. But it’s something to keep an eye on.

5) Coaching carousel in the SOL

Truman already needs a new football coach. So does Central Bucks West after Randy Cuthbert left for Pennridge.

WINTER ON THE FIELD

6) Council Rock-North girls basketball

The Indians appear to be back on track, starting the season 8-2 and beating Downingtown East last week in the game that may carry huge ramifications when the Class AAAA seeding meeting takes place in six weeks. Should the Indians stay this hot, expect CR-North to gain a top three or four seed and advance to the state tournament.

7) Holy Ghost Prep boys basketball

Sure, the Firebirds lost five starters and a key reserve from last year’s team that advanced to the state title game. But they have come out strong so far in 2004-2005 with some strong outside shooting and pressure defense. A District One title in Class AAA is well within their grasp.

8) Wood in the PCL Boys hoops

The Vikings won a post-season game for the first time in 2004. Behind Matt Spadafora, there is no reason to believe that Wood will not win the Northern Division in 2005 and become a legitimate contender when it gets to the later rounds.

9) Getting a grappling

In the winter, wrestling has emerged as the area’s strongest sport by far. Five teams (Neshaminy, CR-South, Pennsbury, Truman and CR-North) are solid from top to bottom. And there are a lot of individuals that could do great things as we head towards Hershey and states.

10) Making a splash

Jen Betz, (sophomore diver from CR-North), Laura Rosenberg (CR-N senior swimmer) and C.J. Marck (Pennsbury senior swimmer) all have a possibility to medal at PIAA championships. Tom Whelan from Archbishop Wood could be a real threat in the PCL breaststroke.

11) What’s this sport called?

It’s looking more and more like the only way to see ice hockey in these parts this year could be from either the Phantoms/Titans and the local high school teams. Neshaminy and Pennsbury currently lead the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League, but Holy Ghost Prep and Father Judge look to be right in the hunt.

12) Famous alumns

In college basketball, it’s Jay Wright’s turn on the hot seat. Some believe that if Villanova doesn’t make a run at an NCAA tournament bid, the Council Rock grad could be in trouble. Meanwhile, Lower Bucks County Hockey League alumn Tony Voss (Archbishop Ryan) is among the leading scorers for the Phantoms of the AHL.

SPRING/SUMMER ON THE FIELD

13) Rocky II

On the heels of Smarty Jones’ run in the Triple Crown last year, John Servis appears ready to come back with a vengeance with Rockport Harbor, a similar horse that will make the trip through Arkansas probably to Kentucky. It could make for another fun spring at Philadelphia Park, which draws closer to slot machines.

14) Neshaminy baseball

Last season, the Redskins got on a roll late in the season and found their way into the PIAA Championships. This year, with a lot of players returning, it wouldn’t be shocking if Neshaminy ended up making another deep run in the tournament.

15) The softball rivalry between Pennsbury and Neshaminy Last year, the Falcons had the better of it thanks to the pitching of Lauren Cognigni. She is gone but Pennsbury has another solid pitcher in Rachel Crossin. The Falcons still are one of the best in District One. Neshaminy, meanwhile, should bounce back to make a run deep in districts.

16) Keeping track

Last year, Bensalem had one of the better boys teams in the state in the relays. This year, most of those runners are back and ready to make another move. There are also several girls teams that figure to fit into the district playoff race.

17) Growth spurt

The one sport that continues to grow in the area more than any other is lacrosse. It will be interesting to see if it continues and how much the level of play in the area improves.

18) Encore presentation

Council Rock-South’s girls soccer team won the school’s first PIAA Championship last June. A lot of players are back from the group, so a repeat would hardly be a shock. The team that may challenge them the most will be Council Rock-North.

19) Changing of the guard?

Last year, Falls upset Yardley Western to win the Lower Bucks County American Legion League championship. Could this be a sign of the end of Yardley’s long dominance in the area — or just a blip on the radar screen.

20) Donofrio repeat?

One of the legitimate surprises of 2004 was the fact that a team filled with Bucks County all-stars found its way to the semifinals of the highly-acclaimed Albert C. Donofrio basketball tournament in an extremely tough bracket with some of the city powers. Once is a fluke, but two would be a trend….

FALL ON THE FIELD

21) Another run for the Redskins?

One of the things that made the Neshaminy football teams run so remarkable in 2004 was the fact that they arrived a full year ahead of everybody’s schedule. This year, they will not be able to sneak up on anybody and surprise. Neshaminy and North Penn — who played in this year’s District One Class AAAA final — will be expected to go back to the district final and be the favorite for a trip to Hershey.

22) Viking ship sailing

It’s tough to know exactly how the PCL will look by next football season, so projecting a potential championship for Wood is being a little ambitious. Still, if the current format comes back with Red and Blue, there is no doubt that having Chris Lorditch back will help the cause for the Vikings.

23) VJM repeat?

One of the main questions coming into 2004 was how the Jems would respond to a new coach after the departure of John McOwen. But Rich Finneyfrock’s crew steamrolled to another state title and has a lot of performers coming back from last year. It all sets up for another fun time in Holland.

24) Expect Marvel-esque things.

Council Rock-North’s Bethany Marvel has participated in a lot of national hockey tryouts and figures to be among the top recruits in the tri-state area next season in field hockey.

25) The unexpected

If there’s one thing that sports has taught us all these years, it’s trying to project into the future is a risky thing. Something will come out of the woodwork in one of these seasons and surprise us all.

Kevin Cooney can be reached at 215-949-4209 or kcooney@phillyBurbs.com.