On a typical November day, basketball practice at McDonald would be at full throttle. Coach James Franceschelli would be guiding a cast of roughly 18 players through intense drills and weekly scrimmages. This late into November, the team would be finely tuned and ready for the impending tipoff to the season.

However, this is no ordinary November in McDonald, and the unusual circumstances have led to some unusual practices for Franceschelli and his troops.

Well, at least the available troops.

McDonald’s playoff run in football has played havoc with the Blue Devils’ preseason basketball preparations. Nine of the 18 players expected to be on the Devils’ varsity basketball roster also play football. The list includes what Franceschelli expects to be six of his top eight players. The extende

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