DLN ALL-AREA: Boys Basketball Teams & Coach of the Year
Other than Player of the Year Mohamed Bamba, here is the rest of the Daily Local News 2016-17 All-Area Boys Basketball team:
First Team
Brandon Randolph, Sr., Westtown
The Moose star averaged 19.2 points per game and buried 64 3-pointers to help lead Westtown to a 30-3 record, as well as a Friends League title and a Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools state crown.
Jon Bol Ajak, Soph., Church Farm
The 6-foot-9 Ajak was a dominant force for the District 1 Class 2A champions, averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and two and half blocks per game.
Jhamir Brickus, Fr., Coatesville
The talented freshman was the unquestioned star for the Ches-Mont League champions and District 1 Class 6A finalists. Brickus averaged 14.5 points per game to go along with five assists per contest
Deuce Turner, Fr., Malvern Prep
The Friars’ freshman burst onto the scene boldly as he led the Friars in scoring at 19.2 points per game.
Brandon McCullough, Sr, Avon Grove
The Red Devils’ senior point guard averaged 19 points per game and buried 61 3-pointers on the season.
Second Team
Jake Nelson, Soph., West Chester Rustin
Dapree Bryant, Fr., Coatesville
Cameron Reddish, Jr., Westtown
George Gordon, Sr., Downingtown West
David Angelo, Soph., Bishop Shanahan
Honorable Mention
Bishop Shanahan: Kevin Dodds, Dan Browne
Church Farm School: Augustus Veniukevicius
Coatesville: Kamau Bricuks
Conestoga: Scott Shapiro, Charlie Martin
Devon Prep: Dan Shannon
Downingtown East: Malik Slay, Ryan Cahill
Downingtown West: Matt Carson
Great Valley: Liam Ward, Alex Capitano
Kennett: Mitch Kosara
Octorara: Dom London, Gary Grove
Oxford: Troy Brown, Brian Dorsey
Unionville: Bo Furey-Bastian
West Chester East: Tym Richardson
West Chester Henderson: Adrien Piel
West Chester Rustin: Tajir Asparagus
Westtown School: Jake Forrester, Anthony Ochefu
COACH OF THE YEAR
Paul Girone, Great Valley
The Patriots’ boss took a largely inexperienced team (which lost its best player to injury in early December) to a 19-7 record and the regular season Ches-Mont American Division title. Great Valley also garnered third place in the District 1 Class 5A playoffs and a berth in the PIAA tournament. Great Valley played flawless offensive basketball, running beautiful sets and Grione maximized each player’s potential.
“Paul did a great job with great Valley,” said Octorara coach Gene Lambert. “And he lost Capitano (Alex), early in the season. those guys did not have varsity experience and they won the league and played great team basketball all season.”
Girone is a veteran coach that previously coached the Great Valley boys and girls teams in the 1990s and had many winning clubs, but his job with this band of inexperienced players in the 2016-17 season may have been his best job yet. That is why he is The Daily Local News All-Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
“The kids worked really hard and when Alex went down to injury they all stepped up and they scored enough points for us to have a successful season. They all got better over the course of the season.” Girone said.
