Cardinal O'Hara coach Tim Kelly was an assistant on Buddy Gardler's staff for 11 seasons. So when Gardler , the all-time winningest coach in Catholic League decided to hang up the whistle after 560 wins and 39 seasons, it seemed natural that he'd still hang around the program.

Kelly said Gardler, his mentor, has been a regular at the Lions' home games this season. And Gardler frequently lends advice to his successor. Anything to help the Lions (2-16, 0-11 in the Catholic's Red Division) make a complete 180 and pick up a few wins here at the end of the season.

"We talk all the time," Kelly said of Gardler a week back. "He says, 'Hang in there. The kids will get a little bigger and a little stronger next year.' ...We're really focused on that and on trying to get that next win."

The Lions are loaded with juniors and sophomores, including forward Ryan Howarth and guard Anthony Bertolino. Come next season, things will be looking a lot better on Springfield Road.