Hoop heroes: Presenting 2016-17 All-Main Line boys’ basketball teams

The 2016-17 high school boys’ basketball season featured many Main Line squads which had memorable campaigns.
Lower Merion (21-9) won its first Central League championship since 2014 and advanced to the PIAA state tournament for the seventh consecutive year, the longest current streak in District One.
Archbishop Carroll (20-8) advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 5A state playoffs before suffering a heartbreaking 88-84 overtime loss to Northeastern.
Episcopal Academy captured a share of the Inter-Ac title for the first time since 2006, and advanced to Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association championship final against powerful Westtown.
Shipley (20-7) advanced to its first-ever Friends’ Schools League championship game. Conestoga (20-8) advanced to the PIAA District One Class 6A playoffs and Haverford School (19-7) had a strong season.
The All-Main Line high school boys’ basketball teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of sports available to first team, second team and honorable mention – but follows the priority of the coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2016-17 All-Main Line high school boys’ basketball teams:

FIRST TEAM
AJ Hoggard, Archbishop Carroll – Freshman point guard had a wide range of skills (11.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.3 apg) for the PIAA state quarterfinalists and was first team All-Delco and third team All-Catholic League selection. Was MVP of McDowell Tip-Off Tournament and Benedictine Capital City Classic. Noted for big performances in several key games, he averaged 16.4 ppg in the Patriots’ last five contests – all elimination games.
Justin Anderson, Archbishop Carroll – Junior guard, a second team All-Catholic League selection, scored his 1,000th career point this season, while providing scoring punch and rebounding strength (12.2 ppg, 43 treys, 3.8 rpg) for the PIAA state quarterfinalsists.
Charlie Martin, Conestoga – Senior forward and co-captain was a prolific scorer (15 ppg) and co-MVP of strong Pioneers’ squad. Received second team All-Central League recognition.
Scott Shapiro, Conestoga – Senior guard and co-captain, a second team All-Central League selection, provided ample scoring punch (14.8 ppg) and all-around fine play (was Pioneer’s co-MVP).
Conner Delaney, Episcopal Academy – Senior point guard, a first team All-Delco and first team All-InterAc selection, averaged 18.8 ppg, nailed 47 treys, and led InterAc co-champions in assists and charges taken on defensive side of the court. Noted for his ability to score big in the biggest games, he averaged 72.6 percent from the free throw line and will continue his basketball career at Johns Hopkins next winter.
Nick Alikakos, Episcopal Academy – Senior forward, a first team All-InterAc and first team All-Delco selection for third consecutive year, came back from a leg injury that cost him nine games in December and January, and was a prolific scorer for the PAISAA finalists (17 ppg). Was considered a double-double machine every game, he finished his EA caereer with 1,546 points, sixth-most in Episcopal history. Will attend U.S. Naval Academy.
Antone Walker, Friends’ Central – Senior point guard was a first team All-Friends Schools League selection, and was a potent scorer for the Phoenix (14.4 ppg). Will play basketball for Wesleyan University next year.
Will Esposto, Harriton – Senior guard, a first team All-Central League selection, had a wide range of skills (16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 spg, 2.5 apg) and was voted Rams’ co-MVP.
Kharon Randolph, Haverford School – Junior guard, a first team All-InterAc selection and second team All-Delco pick, was an excellent all-around player for strong Ford squad (16.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.7 spg).
Christian Ray, Haverford School – Sophomore forward, a first team All-InterAc pick and second team All-Delco selection, not only was a strong presence inside but displayed a wide range of skills (17.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.6 spg).
Terrell Jones, Lower Merion – Senior guard, a first team All-Central League selection, averaged 17.5 ppg, shot 52.3 percent from the field and 74.8 percent from free throw line. A standout all-around player, he averaged 6.6 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per contest.
Jack Forrest, Lower Merion – Promising 6-4 sophomore guard noted for his length and athleticism was an outstanding three-point shooter for the Aces, and nailed five treys in the Central League championship final. Considered a very dynamic scorer who can score in bunches, he averaged 11.7 ppg.
Sam Sessoms, Shipley – Junior guard, a first team All-Friends’ Schools League selection, was a prolific scorer for the Gators (23 ppg) and currently has 1,403 career points. Displayed a wide range of skills (8 rpg, 5 apg, 3.5 spg) for the Friends’ Schools League finalists.

SECOND TEAM
Archbishop Carroll – Colin Daly, senior guard; Kahri Williams, senior guard; Jesse McPherson, senior center.
Barrack Hebrew Academy – Zach Lipstein, senior guard.
Conestoga – Angus Mayock, senior center; Zach Lezanic, sophomore point guard.
Devon Prep – Daniel Shannon, senior point guard.
Episcopal Academy – Kyle Virbitsky, senior forward; Jack O’Connell, senior forward.
Harriton – Idris Ransom, senior guard.
Haverford School – Gavin Burke, sophomore guard.
Lower Merion – Noah Fennell, senior guard; Steve Payne, sophomore guard.
Malvern Prep – Deuce Turner, freshman guard.
Radnor – Mason Ressler, senior wing/forward.
Shipley – Kiyon Hardy, senior point guard; Ray Somerville, sophomore center; Khai Champion, freshman guard.

HONORABLE MENTION
Conestoga – Milton Robinson, sophomore guard; Charlie Schappel, junior forward.
Episcopal Academy – Matt Dade, sophomore forward/guard.
Haverford School – Jameer Nelson, sophomore guard; Asim Richards, sophomore center.

– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.