Anacker brothers are spread out so much in age that they never got a chance to play on the same court at AHS.
By: Kyle Moylan
The Anacker brothers are spread out so much in age that they never got a chance to play on the same court at Allentown High School.
Well, at least not at the same time. In what sort of became a family tradition, the younger Anacker boy would run out at halftime of their brother’s games and shoot hoops. It made for an interesting sight. The Anacker on varsity was always good, but the halftime show wasn’t bad either.
Mark Anacker was the best player on an Allentown team that struggled for respectability. Greg Anacker was the best player on an Allentown team that finally broke through years of hardships to make the state playoffs.
One thing Mark and Greg Anacker did have in common, however, was the way they talked about their baby brother, little Scottie. Even when Greg was setting the all-time scoring record at Allentown High, he often pointed out that his younger brother was a better player.
While it may not be unusual for a big brother to make such a boast, this one was merit. Before he ever even stepped on the court for his first high school game, Scott Anacker is already in the Basketball Hall of Fame. That’s right the Basketball Hall of Fame. Anacker’s is honored on a plaque there for winning the National Elks Hoop Shoot.
Anacker is more than a player with just a good shooting touch, though. He is someone who has played in AAU tournaments throughout the United States and a few other countries.
"It’s so good that a player like him and Eric Nutt (another talented freshman) decided to go to Allentown," noted first-year coach Craig Parker. "We want kids like them to come to Allentown. We don’t want them going to Notre Dame or McCorristin. I want kids like Jay Graber, the starting quarterback for Notre Dame who will also be playing basketball, coming to Allentown. Graber is a good kid and a great athlete. We have to keep kids like him at this school.
"I’m happy about that (Anacker playing at Allentown). It’s his first year and my first year. Hopefully we can grow as a team and go forward together."
While he would like to make a strong first impression, Parker is a coach who is willing to be patient. He looks at the roster and sees other talented players. He sees no need to rush the likes of Anacker or Nutt.
"With Anacker and Nutt, in two years we’ll have the best backcourt in the CVC if not all of Central Jersey," Parker said. "These kids are dynamite. Right now, however, I’m going to bring them along slowly."
Anacker and Nutt will start on the Allentown JV and also play some for the varsity. This, of course, should make for about four or five hours of exciting basketball every time Allentown plays.
"I was kind of hoping to keep them a secret," Parker said.
Those days are long gone, though. Not long after the baby sneakers go on the feet and a Nerf basketball gets put in the crib, some scout will be watching. This mentality has hit Allentown probably harder than any high school sports program in Central Jersey. Starting on Friday night, however, you can score one for the little guys. Scott Anacker and Eric Nutt are staying home and Allentown fans have four years to relish in that decision.