Strath Haven turning to Harrar for size, experience

NETHER PROVIDENCE >> Strath Haven’s 19-win season in 2015-16 ranked as one of the surprises in District 1.

But as John Harrar surveyed the gym this week, he couldn’t help but notice that much of the depth that furnished that special season has moved on.

Where scoring balance was the Panthers’ hallmark last year, Harrar finds himself as the focal point this year, the 6-foot-8 senior accompanied by just one returnee who played more than 12 games last year.

“We’re just trying to get people varsity experience, because we have some people who didn’t even get in last year (that are) starting” this year, Harrar said. “Once we pick that up, we’ll be fine.”

Harrar anticipated changes, with the matriculation of three starting seniors. Point guard Jahmeir Springfield’s transfer to Chester was an unexpected wrinkle.

Though young talent waits in the wings, acclimating them to the rigors of varsity ball requires time.

Harrar understands his task on and off the court. Last year, he served as a support scorer, one of several options in the post as the Panthers efficiently operated inside-out. With less proven shooters than Alex Ischiropoulos and Jayvon Green-Springfield, the spotlight is on Harrar to provide a larger share of the offense.

“I’m definitely doing more in the one-on-one game than I did last year, whether it’s in the post or on the elbow,” Harrar said. “I’m trying to take over the offense even with the loss of Jahmeir. … I need to score a lot more than I did last year.”

The other aspect Harrar will emphasize is leadership. He’s one of three seniors, along with Peter Foggo and Patrick O’Kane, both of whom played sparingly a season ago. (Junior Cooper Driscoll is the other Panther to see significant time, though Harrar and the 6-foot-5 forward may seldom be on the floor simultaneously.)

Where Harrar, who is pursuing Division I interest as a defensive end in football, once deferred to elders, he’s now emerged as a vocal leader.

“He just tells us to stay confident and work hard throughout it,” O’Kane said. “If you’re hustling, you can’t do anything really wrong.”

“I tell them to have confidence,” Harrar said. “When I was younger, I never had confidence. I built that over the years, and I know that comes with time, but I tell them to ball out and have confidence and you’ll play your best game.”

The cupboard isn’t bare of talent. Junior guard Ryan Morris played well down the stretch last year and poses a viable perimeter threat. Chris Rosini could fill the point guard’s shoes, while All-Delco lacrosse player Jeff Conner has the athleticism to contribute.

While the Panthers’ situation isn’t ideal, a dose of perspective is pertinent. Last year’s success, albeit ending in a first-round upset for the No. 8 seed in the District 1 Class 4A playoffs, followed five total wins in the previous two seasons. For vets who endured those struggles, relaying to youngsters how greatly the program has progressed figures significantly in the communication.

“It was definitely really important because the program, the two years before, we were awful,” O’Kane said. “So last year, winning 19 games, that helped a lot with our confidence.”

Defending Central League champion Ridley faces a tough task to make it three straight states berths with just three returning varsity players at coach Mike Snyder’s disposal.

Guard Liam Thompson is the lone returning starter of the bunch that won 27 games and booked a third Central League title game trip in four seasons. Jim Bramwell earned significant minutes in the post, while Damir Fleming emerged late and will be called upon as a major scorer.

Penncrest’s quest for a ninth straight districts appearance will have everything to do with Tyler Norwood, the diminutive yet explosive junior guard who averaged 15.5 points per game last year.

Mike Doyle’s backcourt rotation features seniors Justin Ross and Mike Mallon, but the Lions lack height, hampered by the transfer of 6-foot-9 center Ray Somerville to Shipley. Junior Chris Mills and sophomores Matt Arbogast and Malcolm Williams will try to fill the lane.

Garnet Valley lost several key figures from last year’s District 1 playoff qualifier but retains a core for a potential repeat trip. Austin Laughlin, still just a junior, will be the main offensive catalyst in the backcourt as a ball-handler and shooter. Guard Brandon Starr will elevate to the primary scoring-guard role vacated by Andrew Louden.

Jamie Chadwin is one of two new coaches in the Central League, bringing a wealth of experience to Radnor. The former Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Immaculata University head man has coached at a variety of levels, hoping to build on Chris Monahan’s successful tenure.

A handful of regulars return from last year’s injury-riddled team that nonetheless snuck into districts.

Seniors Mason Ressler and Jack Thompson are expected to provide scoring, while Sami Ghazzi assumes the point guard job. Tommy Webb and multi-sport star Phil Regan provide depth in the backcourt. Vernon Harper, who impressed as a freshman, should thrive, while junior Zahir Lee could take a big step up.

Injuries and inexperience blighted Springfield’s 2015-16 season, but the upside is a veteran contingent returning.

The senior backcourt trio of Justin Collins, Alex DeAngelis and Kyle Sullivan provide a sturdy platform, with junior Kyle Long running the point. Great Orjih made great strides a season ago in the low post.

Junior Ja’Den McKenzie is fresh off a breakout football season, while seniors Zach Chevalier, Amanuel Halemiciael and Trevor Robinson are varsity-ready for the first time.

Youth will factor heavily in Keith Heinerichs’ plans at Haverford, particularly with the loss of four-year starter Jack Donaghy.

Jack Farrell returns as the Fords’ defensive stopper, while 6-foot-2 junior swingman Isaiah Hart is the primary offensive threat.

The Fords’ sophomore and freshman classes hold promise. Several sophomores — including Kevin DePrince, Matt Gillen and Dan Roe — garnered varsity experience last year, while sophomore Luke Verzella and junior J.T. Smith are also in the mix.

First-year coach Sean Spratt inherits a challenge at Marple Newtown, where the Tigers won just four games last season under Brian Shane and interim coach Eric Houck. Returnees are few and far between, with guards Mark Dever and Mike May among the lone notables.

But Marple’s athletic programs have excelled recently, and eight multi-sport athletes should bolster the roster.

Upper Darby coach Bob Miller lacks a significant returnee from last year, but he remains upbeat about his program’s chances.

There’s new blood in the pipeline, including a sophomore class on which Miller is very high. Magd Adelwehab, who showed glimpses of talent in a reserve role with Bonner & Prendergast last year, and Parkway West transfer Noah Walker will anchor the backcourt. Dashaun Brown and Bayir Hodges provide depth in the paint. Among the promising sophomores are Mamadou Toure and Dibi Keita.