Boyertown
Boyertown’s Jerry Kapp (23) knocks the ball away from Pope John Paul II’s Rich Dunham on a fast break. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Head coach: Mike Ludwig, ninth season.
Last year’s record: 2-11 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 5-17 overall.
Players to watch: Jerry Kapp, 6-3 Sr.; Marcus Thomas, 6-2 Sr.; Sean Tamasitis, 5-11 Sr.; Zach Benning, 5-10 Sr.
Outlook: The Bears missed the postseason for the first time in three seasons last year. Boyertown returns four starters from that squad, including Kapp at guard, who averaged 22 points and led the team in all major statistical categories. “After a solid offseason of work the team is looking to compete for a PAC playoff berth and a return to District play,” said Ludwig. “The guys have put in a lot of time individually and as a team and real improvements can be seen on the court. With four return -starters and a couple new-comers, the coaches feel this team can compete with anyone in our league.” Expect the 2017-2018 season to shake out much different for Boyertown.
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Jim Sands, first season.
Last year’s record: 1-9 Berks Conference I, 7-15 overall.
Players to watch: Carson Zuber, 6-0 Sr.; Jared Tranovich, 6-0 Jr.; Chaunce Johnson, 6-1 Jr.
Outlook: Experience won’t be on their side as the Blazers graduated 10 members of last season’s squad, including leading-scorer Ryan Okuniewski. Never an easy division to play in, Boone finds itself matched up twice apiece against traditional Berks powers Reading (PIAA-6A champ), Wilson and Governor Mifflin. Johnson comes off a solid sophomore season where he averaged just over 11 points per game. Defense will prove key for Boone’s young squad, explains Sands: “Offensively, we want to share the ball and grind down defenses until we find the exact shot we want. Defensively, we want to improve upon the 60 PPG we gave up last year and fully understand that the amount of success we have this year will be a direct result of our defensive performance.”
Hill School
The Hill School’s Chase Audige (15) dribbles past Taft’s Moses Polking in transition in the first round of the Mercer Invitational Tournament. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Head coach: Phil Canosa, first season.
Last year’s record: 20-7 overall.
Players to watch: Chase Audige, 6-5 Sr.; Daquan Morris, 6-1 Sr.; Nick Alikakos, 6-7 Sr.; Seth Maxwell, 7-0 Sr.; Xavier Mayo, 6-7 Jr.; Caleb Dorsey, 6-7 So.
Outlook: The Blues graduated eight seniors from last year’s team that made a deep run into the PA Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) playoffs last season. Hardly a worry, though, as they return leading scorer Audige (William & Mary commit) and Morris, along with a pair of new faces in post-grads Alikakos and Maxwell, who along with Mayo should be a presence in the paint. “We have a very talented group that could go deep into the post-season if we are able to stay healthy and build chemistry throughout the year,” said Canosa, stepping in for Seth Eilberg who is on sabbatical. “A very competitive non-league schedule should help prepare us for a strong MAPL that has improved from top to bottom.”
Methacton
Head coach: Jeff Derstine, eighth season.
Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC, 12-12 overall (Advanced to District 1-6A playoffs).
Players to watch: Noah Kitaw, 6-3 Sr.; David Duda, 6-3 Jr.; Jeff Woodward, 6-8 So.
Outlook: The Warriors could have their work cut out for them this winter as their varsity roster boasts just two seniors in the wake of the departure of eight seniors from last year’s program. Sophomore center Jeff Woodward logged quality time last season and provides promise in the paint simply based on his height while Duda looks to build off a strong sophomore campaign. “The trio of David Duda, Jeff Woodward, and Noah Kitaw gained valuable experience last season and look to provide strong leadership this season,” said Derstine. “As always, we expect the PAC to be very tough and we look forward to challenge of a competing against strong competition all season long.”
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Kevin Kirby, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 2-8 PAC, 9-13 overall.
Players to watch: Dawson Stuart, 6-4 Sr.; Shyheed May, 6-0 Sr.; Sean Praweckyj, 5-9 Sr.; Justin Bailey, 6-4 Sr.; Sa’Vaughn Davidheiser, 6-1 Jr.; Nick Massa, 5-9 Jr.
Outlook: For the first time in quite a while, things are trending upward in Bucktown this winter. The Wildcats return a team stacked with seasoned vets headed by All-Area Honorable Mention Stuart. That said, Kirby was quick to note that OJR will have plenty of challenges ahead. “Our schedule is very difficult, as we will play 17 games against playoff teams from last year, including eight games against teams that played in the state tournament. And I think that the PAC will be as deep as ever. If we can work hard at the defensive end, hopefully we will be playing meaningful games in February.”
Perkiomen School
Head coach: Thomas Baudinet, second season.
Last year’s record: 8-0 Tri-County League, 22-7 overall. (TCL runner-up).
Players to watch: Nick Guadarrama, 6-6 Sr.; Chandler Brooks, 6-2 Sr.; Reggie James, 6-3 Jr.
Outlook: The Panthers picked up a win in the opening round of the PAISAA playoffs — their first since the 2014 season. Now, they’ll look to take it a step further. Guadarrama spent his summer playing with the U19 Puerto Rican National Team, and is back for his senior season along with Brooks and James, both of whom are threats to score all over the court.
Perkiomen Valley
Perkiomen Valley’s Tyler Strechay drives into the lane during the third quarter. (Digital First Media)
Head coach: Michael Poysden, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 8-2 PAC, 23-7 overall (PAC champion, District 1, PIAA-6A qualifier).
Players to watch: Andrew Light, 5-11 Sr.; Dante Graves, 6-1 Sr.; Tyler Strechay, 6-2 Jr.
Outlook: The Vikings set the bar in 2017 — earning the program’s first PAC title since 2013 and eventually winning their first state playoff game since 1972. How will this year’s crop of players back it up? With a little depth of course. Light and Strechay logged quality minutes during PV’s state playoff run last season, led by Justin Jaworski (Lafayette), Sean Owens, Hogan Millheim and Axel Lopez, all lost to graduation. “Graduating three starters would be a large deficit to overcome,” said Poysden. “However in both the junior and freshman class there is a considerable depth of talent. Senior leadership in (Kevin) Bernabe, Graves and Light as well as the experience gained last year by Strechay will be an integral part of our success.”
Phoenixville
Head coach: Eric Burnett, fourth season.
Last year’s record: 7-3 PAC, 14-9 overall (Advanced to District 1-5A playoffs).
Players to watch: Brendan Jenkins, 6-6 Sr.; Tim Kopera, 5-11, Sr.; Quinn Danna, 6-0 Sr.;Colton Brown, 5-11 Jr.; KJ Quinn, 5-11 Jr.; Steven Hamilton, 6-0 So.
Outlook: The Phantoms graduated seven seniors from last year’s team, but appear to have plenty of reinforcements at the ready. Jenkins and Brown logged meaningful minutes last season as Phoenixville was just narrowly edged out by Upper Merion for the Frontier Division’s No. 2 seed. “Although we don’t have a ton of returning playing experience, we believe we have what it takes to compete in the league on a nightly basis,” said Burnett.
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Mike Rafferty, second season.
Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC; 3-19 overall.
Players to watch: Aidan McCarthy, 6-0 Sr.; Dan Cirino, 6-0 Sr.; Ricky Bearden, 6-3 Sr.; Vincent Viney, 6-3 Sr.
Outlook: Rafferty took his lumps in his first season with the Golden Panthers, who finished winless in the conference and ended the season on an eight-game losing streak. This year’s team lists all seniors — dealing only with the departure of Fran Interrante. “We are competing every day to win the day,” said Rafferty. “Whether it is in practice or a game, our sole focus is to win the day. We know the league will not be easy because of the great coaching and talented teams that the PAC has.”
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Jack Flanagan, second season
Last year’s record: 6-4 PAC, 9-13 overall.
Players to watch: Jayden Blakey, 6-0 Sr. 6-0; Jason Hein, 6-4 Sr. 6-4; Mike Zeigler, 6-3 Sr. 6-3; Manny Clark, 5-9 Jr. 5-9; Justin Robinson, 6-2 Jr.; Khalym Smith, 6-2 Jr.
Outlook: The Falcons just missed a berth in the PAC’s Final Five playoff with a season-ending loss to Upper Merion in a game that would have forced a three-way tie at the top of the Frontier Division. Now the team looks to bounce back following the graduation of six senior contributors including Nik Curnew (13.8 ppg). Salata logged steady minutes as a junior last season and finished with just under eight points per game. “We are committed every day to learn how to work hard together, work smart together, and play together,” said Flanagan. “The PAC is shaping up to be competitive every night … every team will battle for one of the coveted spots in postseason play.”
Pottstown
Pottstown’s Floyd Dashiell dribbles past Pope John Paul II’s Aiden McCarthy. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Head coach: Cal Benfield, sixth season.
Last year’s record: 4-6 PAC, 8-14 overall.
Players to watch: Malik Brown, Sr. Floyd Dashiell, Jr.
Outlook: Challenges will await the Trojans as the team’s two leading scorers from last season — Larry Wingo (Reading) transferred away from Pottstown. Dashiell led the team in 3-pointers made (23) last season and Brown proved to be a plenty reliable scorer. The offense should play through the pair during the season.
Spring-Ford
Spring-Ford’s Austin Hokanson blocks the drive attempt of Owen J. Roberts’ Sa’Vaughn Davidheiser during the second half of a game. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)
Head coach: Chris Talley, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 8-2 PAC, 19-9 overall (PAC runner-up, Advanced to District 1-6A playoffs).
Players to watch: Austin Hokanson, 6-5 Sr.; Nestor Diaz, 6-0 Sr.; Harrison Pierce, 6-1 Sr.; Robert Bobeck, 6-4 Jr.; Noah Baker 6-3 Jr.; Ryan Hagan 6-0 Jr.; Josh Nguyen, 6-0 Jr.
Outlook: Talley will put a lot of weight on the shoulders of his upper-classmen this season, namely three-year starter Diaz as well as Hokanson and Baker as the Rams will look to rebound from last year’s loss in the PAC championship. Hokanson provides a presence in the paint while Diaz is a scoring threat both from the outside as well as through traffic. Step one will be getting the newcomers up to speed. “The challenge every year is getting the incoming sophomores and JV players acclimated to the speed of the game,” said Talley. “Our goal is to compete for a league championship and qualify for postseason play.”
Upper Merion
Head coach: Jason Quenzer, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 8-2 PAC, 16-13 overall (District 1-5A runner-up; PIAA-5A qualifier).
Players to watch: Austin Moucer, 5-11 Sr.; TyJay Shepherd, 6-1 Sr.; Matt Choi, 6-0 Jr.; Chris Clark, 6-2 So.; Nick Shepperd, 6-3 So.; Lukas Kim, 5-9, Fr.
Outlook: Last year was a pleasant surprise as the Vikings strung together a bunch of upsets all the way into the District 1-5A championship game and to the second round of states. The bad news, though? Upper Merion doesn’t return a single varsity minute from that team’s roster. “This crew is composed of a young nucleus but there are some talented, hard working, senior leaders that will allow this team to compete on a night in/night out basis,” Quenzer said. “The more game experience that these guys get, the more they will grow up and gel.”
Upper Perkiomen
Upper Perkiomen’s Ryan Kendra drives past Pottsgrove’s Steve Hein before dishing it off to Will Walker in the post for the bucket.
Head coach: Jared Krupp, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 5-5 PAC, 12-11 overall (Advanced to District 1-5A playoffs).
Players to watch: Ryan Kendra, 6-4 Sr.; Liam Boyle, 5-10 Sr.; Will Walker, 6-8 Sr.; Jon Brown, 6-3 Sr.; Bo Duka, 6-0 Sr.; Tyler Keyser, 6-0 Sr.; Sean Boyle, 5-10 So.
Outlook: My, how things can change in the span of a season. Last year, the Tribe entered the season in the midst of a 72-game losing skid within the PAC. Now, they’re poised to do some serious damage in the conference. Upper Perk returns six seniors, including Kendra, a First Team All-Conference selection from last season who is just 63 away from joining the 1,000-point club. Liam Boyle (12 ppg) and Walker (nine ppg) are looking to build off strong junior seasons where they each earned postseason accolades. “Our chemistry, athleticism, and dedication to defense will be integral to our success this season,” said Krupp. “Our goal, as it has always been, is to compete and improve on a daily basis. With this mindset in place, we feel that we possess the talent, work ethic and determination to make a run in both the conference and district playoffs.”
