Episcopal, Haverford School stack up in strong Inter-Ac

Change pervades the Inter-Ac, with both Episcopal Academy and Haverford School underdoing intriguing offseason metamorphoses.

The big name for Haverford School is Christian Ray, who transferred in from Octorara and reclassified for 2019. The 6-foot-5 Ray already has two years of high school experience and a handful of Division I offers.

He’s expected to form a dynamic tandem with Kharon Randolph, who as a sophomore was a first-league All-Inter-Ac pick and one of Delco’s leading scorers.

This remains a guard-heavy and youthful contingent, with Joe Dignazio providing heady play and Gavin Burke establishing a reputation for clutch 3-point shooting as a freshman. Nasir Smith and Jameer Nelson Jr. will also feature in the rotation.

In the post, 6-foot-5 sophomore Asim Richards will be asked to shoulder much of the load.

Episcopal Academy’s personnel, meanwhile, posits the opposite approach. They possess the talent — Navy commit and two-time All-Delco Nick Alikakos is back for his senior year; guard Conner Delaney de-committed from Villanova for lacrosse to pursue college basketball — to compete in the Inter-Ac. Usually a guard-heavy outfit, Craig Conlin’s team will do it with brute strength in the post, Delaney their only true guard returning with varsity experience.

Joining Alikakos is fellow 6-foot-7 forward Jack O’Connell plus Penn State baseball commit Kyle Virbitsky. Jermaine Rhoden will occupy the small forward role, while sophomores Jack Purcell and Matt Dade will nudge into the rotation, Dade as a 6-foot-4 perimeter option.

Catholic League

As coach Paul Romanczuk always seems to, Archbishop Carroll reloads this season following the loss of All-Delco Josh Sharkey and Daily Times Player of the Year Ryan Daly.

In their steads step role players from last year’s 23-win team ready to fill larger niches. Colin Daly, a West Chester commit, will be a more central piece. Rangy guards Khari Williams and Keyon Butler, who impressed as reserves last year, are being called to step to the fore, along with 6-foot-6 big man Jesse McPherson and junior forward Devon Ferrero.

The big addition is junior guard Justin Anderson, a transfer from Academy of the New Church, who is courting Division I interest.

Jack Concannon has set forth a daunting schedule for his Bonner & Prendergast side that doesn’t include a nonleague home game in hopes of preparing them for the Catholic League gauntlet.

Christian Lane returns as the floor general, while Dylan Higgins carved an impressive niche in the post last year. Justin Gans and Steven Perretta also present ancillary scoring options.

Newcomers Tymir Cooper and 6-foot-8 Nigerian forward Ajiri Johnson could impact immediately.

Cardinal O’Hara injects new life into its program via coach Jason Harrigan, who won a Public League title last year with Del Val Charter. Though the Lions have a long way to go in cracking the Catholic League hierarchy, an energetic coach leads the effort.

The Lions also boast a handful of returnees. Jaye’lyn Peebles was the Lions’ leading scorer last season at 15.5 points per game. James Pierce, Chris Johnson and Jah’fear Toler also saw significant time. Kevin Reeves is a newcomer Harrigan is high on.

Ches-Mont League

Sun Valley won nine games a season ago and has a strong senior nucleus to build around.

Ishy Ahmad and Sean Steppke played prominent roles, while Dino Karros presents another scoring option and 6-foot-7 Tyler Ungarino adds size in the post. Vinny DeAngelo, who played as a freshman, is also back.

Dom Valente is primed to play the featured freshman role this year, while sophomore Marvin Freeman may also chip in.

Bicentennial League

A raft of injuries last season forced Delco Christian’s Don Davis to dig deep into his rotation. That could pay dividends this year as the Knights chase a third straight appearance in the PIAA tournament, this time in Class 2A.

Senior guards T.J. Tann and Jordan Parks will orchestrate the offense. Tyler Penley and Tyler Smith, who played sparingly last year, will assume larger roles in the low block. Jacob Bronkema is ready to start at power forward as a sophomore, while Jackson Piotrowski and Obinna Nwobodo could earn time.

Christian Academy, in its second year under coach Sean Murphy, looks to build on a four-win season.