Hartman impressive in BVA defeat

Jared Hartman

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
Last season, BVA head coach Joe Salvino knew one big piece of his team was missing.
Jared Hartman.
This season, the senior leader returned and was named a captain for the Leopards.
And when his team needed him most, Hartman was there.
The 6-3 forward admittedly doesn’t have the prototypical basketball frame. But the star quarterback for the football team showed he has plenty of game.
Hartman finished with 26 points in the Leopards’ PIAA second-round loss to Lancaster Catholic Tuesday. And his final game was probably one of his most memorable.
“He played so hard and he was fantastic tonight,” Salvino said.
As his eyes welled with tears, the Leopards faithful weren’t the only ones standing.
“Hey (number) 0, great game, buddy. You were fantastic,” one Lancaster Catholic fan shouted.
“Great game,” “unbelievable” and even, “big Kobe,” name-dropping the late Lakers’ legend, were some of the adjectives used to describe Hartman’s performance.
Even Lancaster Catholic head coach Joe Klazas spoke highly of the BVA captain, spending just as much, if not more time speaking about his performance than his team’s.
“That kid was incredible. His ball-handling, I mean, I’ve never seen a guy his size really running the point in those moments,” Klazas said.
It was Hartman doing what he does, being there for his teammates.
“I’ve never come close to playing four overtimes in my life,” Hartman said, still emotional after the game. “It was just me out there trying to help my team win the game.”
The Crusaders threw their best defender at Hartman. It didn’t matter. He just showed off his ball-handling skills and got to the basket. When his team needed a rebound the most, Hartman was there for it.
And when his team needed the big shot, and even when they didn’t, there was no hesitation when Hartman pulled up and knocked one down.
“I’m always looking for the ball. And I know when I have a mismatch,” Hartman said. “They put big guys on me, but I showed I can play outside, too. I have no problem pulling up and shooting those shots.”
Hartman knows basketball. He’s one of the most cerebral players Salvino has coached.
And he showed it Tuesday.
“He’s the quarterback of the football team. He’s a team captain on the football team,” Salvino said. “He comes into basketball season and he’s elected a captain here. The kid’s just a leader. That’s what he does.”
Hartman will be the first to admit he doesn’t do things alone and he’s the first to point to his teammates for the success they had this season, and rightfully so.
But the big guy saved one of his best, if not the best, for last.
“No one thought we’d be here in the second round of the state playoffs or play for a WPIAL championship,” Hartman said. “I want this team to be remembered and I just want to be remembered as a leader. I’m proud of this team.”
“Once Devin fouled out, he took over,” Salvino said. “He took the on-court leadership role. He was our point guard and we wanted the ball in his hands. He did whatever I asked him to do and he and Hepple carried us late.”
When I came into this job, I wanted BVA basketball to be noticed. I think we did that tonight and Jared is a huge part of that.”