Our Process
WHO WE ARE
KSP Hoops was established as an elite basketball academy located in Central PA. The area has had a void of a competitive AAU program. Previously, kids from Central Pennslvania would have to travel to Scranton, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, or the Lehigh Valley to compete at a high level. KSP Hoops' mission is to afford student athletes an elite basketball experience without having to leave home right here in Central Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for future announcements and news about KSP Hoops' future.
Coach Bardo comes with 16 years of experience as a coach in the PIAA. He is entering his 8th season as Head Coach at Central Mountain High School.
During his tenure, he’s been named Conference Coach of the Year twice and led the program to two Conference Championships and a Conference Tournament Title. His teams have reached four District Championship games through seven seasons, with two District VI Class 5A titles. In 2022, Central Mountain advanced to the PIAA Class 5A Sweet 16 and a 2023 Top 10 State Ranking in 5A. Coach Bardo has coached three Conference MVPs and two Conference Defensive MVPs among the 24 All-conference selections. He’s had one 1,000pt scorer and an All-State selection as well.
Through seven seasons, he’s seen six players exit Central Mountain and move on to collegiate rosters.
In addition to coaching, Coach Bardo spends his offseasons in skill development. He’s worked with numerous DI, DII, and DIII all-conference performers, four of whom have received overseas professional contracts. He's worked and studied under Skill Development coaches Ganon Baker, Cody Toppert, Damin Altizer, and Mike Lee.
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Coach Chris Zimmerman has been coaching High School Basketball for the past 19 years. The 2024-25 season will be his 13th as head coach of the Shamokin Area Indians. Coach Zimmerman has been recognized as Conference Coach of the Year
4 times. His teams have reached district 4 AAAA finals in 6 of the seasons. Coach Zimmerman also has 7 AAAA state playoff appearances in his tenure.
Coach Zimmerman has coached numerous great players in his time at Shamokin. He's had 15 players named to all-conference teams and 4 players of the years in Division 1 of the Heartland Conference. As a player Coach Zimmerman was an all-state (big school) selection 3 times in his High School Career. He is Shamokin's all-time leading scorer. Coach Zimmerman played 1 season at Bucknell and 3 seasons at Susquehanna.
Coach Zimmerman has been the director of the prospect camps along with coaching AAU teams in the central Susquehanna region.
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Chad Lauer comes to KSPHoops as a successful entrepreneur with a great basketball background. Chad is the President of Lauer Media Company and a parter in The Gilroy Group. Chad also learned valuable lessons in communication, collaboration, compassion, and leadership through the positive influence of sport, which offered him both an outlet and a community during his most challenging hours. He scored 1,000 points in his high school basketball career but also scored essential experience in comradery and leadership as the captain of a team striving for success while grieving the loss of a teammate and friend. Chad was also a Pennsylvania state finalist in the long jump, earning an athletic scholarship to Monmouth University, but later transferred to Susquehanna University to pursue his passion for basketball.
He led his team as captain for two years and leaned on them for support during rehab after brain surgery. The reality of teamwork has been formative to Chad’s perspective on life and business. He understands how essential it is to be an enthusiastic and flexible team member and an empathetic and decisive team leader. Chad currently coaches in the Southern Columbia Youth Basketball Program.
Previously, he was the assistant varsity basketball at Southern Columbia High School prior to moving to Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. During his stint in the LV, he coached in the LV Canes AAU Program and has trained multiple D3, D2, and D1 scholarship athletes.
Lauer still holds the all time assists record at Southern Columbia High School and is a valuable asset to KSP hoops.