Hoop heroes: Presenting the 2021 All-Main Line boys basketball teams
Although the COVID-19 pandemic limited the 2021 Main Line high school boys’ basketball season, several local squads had memorable seasons.
Lower Merion captured its first PIAA District 1 title since the days of Kobe Bryant and came within an eyelash of defeating Archbishop Wood, the ninth-ranked boys’ basketball team in the United States, in the PIAA 6A state semifinals.
It was the first time the Aces won three straight road games in the District 1 playoffs, and Lower Merion maintained its hold on Pennsylvania’s longest current consecutive state playoff streak (11 years), dating back to 2011.
Archbishop Carroll won the PIAA District 12 4A championship.
Other strong Main Line teams included Conestoga (advanced to Central League championship final), Devon Prep (9-4), Haverford High (8-5), Haverford School (7-2) and Malvern Prep (6-2).
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 2021 All-Main Line high school boys’ basketball teams:
FIRST TEAM
Anquan Hill, Archbishop Carroll – Senior was a potent force inside, averaging 17.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, and blocking three shots per contest. Has received scholarship offers from Saint Joseph’s, LaSalle and Bryant, as well as second team All-Catholic League honors.
Andrew Fox, Conestoga – Senior center and captain, a first team All-Central League selection, was a potent force underneath for the Central League championship finalists, averaging 14 points per game and eight rebounds per contest.
Michael Walz, Conestoga – Junior 6-foot-10 power forward/center put his size to good use, grabbing 10 rebounds per game and blocking 2.5 shots per contest. Averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.0 apg as well, and received first team All-Central League honors.
IV Petit, Devon Prep – Junior guard, a first team All-Catholic League selection, was a prolific scorer for the Tide, averaging 15 points per game, and scored his 1,000th career high school point this winter. Connected on 43 treys for the season.
Ed Holland, Friends’ Central – Senior guard/forward was a prolific scorer and rebounder, averaging 25.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per contest. Dished out 2.4 apg. Finished his Phoenix career with 961 points, and has committed to the admissions process to play basketball for the University of Pennsylvania next winter.
John Seidman, Haverford High – Senior guard, a first team All-Central League selection, was a 1,000 point scorer during his Ford career, averaging 15 ppg and 4 apg this past winter. Headed to Franklin & Marshall College.
Jameel Brown, Haverford School – Junior guard was a potent scorer, solid rebounder and all-around performer for the Fords this past winter, scoring 21.7 points per game, pulling down 6.4 rebounds per contest, and dishing out 3.1 assists per game.
Demetrius Lilley, Lower Merion – Junior 6-foot-9 center, a first team All-Central League selection, was a potent force for the PIAA 6A state semifinalists and District 1 champions, scoring 20.6 points per game and pulling down 12.2 rebounds per contest. He is the first Lower Merion player since Kobe Bryant in 1996 to average better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Sam Davison, Lower Merion – Senior point guard, called “the engine of our team” by Aces head coach Gregg Downer, was a key contributor for the District 1 6A champions (12.0 ppg, 3.9 apg and 3.2 rpg) and made SportCenter’s Top Ten with his 70-foot- buzzer-beating shot against Harriton.
Rahdir Hicks, Malvern Prep – Senior point guard was a potent all-around performer and playmaker for the Friars (15.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 7 rpg) and was noted as possibly the Inter-Ac’s best on-ball defender. Will continue his basketball career at Towson State.
Fran Oschell, Malvern Prep – Senior post player was a potent force underneath for a strong Friar squad; averaged 14.6 points per game, pulled down 12.3 rebounds per contest and blocked an average of two shots per game. A fine athlete who will play baseball for Duke University.
Lew Robinson, Radnor – Senior guard, who scored more than 1,000 career points for Radnor, had a productive winter as an all-around scorer, rebounder and defender, averaging 14.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.5 spg. Received second team All-Central League honors.
Darrien Grady, Shipley – Sophomore point guard, a first team All-Friends Schools League as a freshman at Moorestown Friends, was a potent all-around scorer, rebounder, playmaker and defender this past winter in the Gators’ limited season, averaging 22 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg and 2 spg. An excellent student who is receiving some Ivy League attention.
SECOND TEAM
Archbishop Carroll – Moses Hipps, freshman guard.
Conestoga – Jerry Miller, senior guard; Ryan Mackey, junior point guard.
Devon Prep – Eamonn Walsh, senior guard; Lucas Orchard, sophomore guard.
Episcopal Academy – Will Delaney, senior guard.
Friends’ Central – TJ Lewis, senior guard; Basim Horshaw, senior point guard.
Harriton – Reid Belcher, sophomore point guard.
Haverford High – Nick Colucci, junior guard; JR Newman, junior guard.
Haverford School – Zach Genther, senior guard; Bernie Rogers, senior guard; Christian Clover, senior guard.
Lower Merion – Sam Brown, sophomore guard.
Malvern Prep – Sean Hutchinson, junior guard.
Radnor – Danny Rosenblum, sophomore guard; Jackson Hicke, sophomore wing.
Shipley – Deywilk Tavarez, junior guard; Raijon Dispensa, sophomore forward.
HONORABLE MENTION
Conestoga – Jack Liedtka, senior guard.
Devon Prep – Ty Mishock, freshman point guard; Chris Patton, senior guard; Jacen Holloway, sophomore guard.
Episcopal Academy – Kevin McCarthy, freshman guard; Sam Malloy, junior guard.
Lower Merion – Jaylen Shippen, junior guard; Zack Wong, senior forward.
Shipley – Andrew Makrides, senior forward; Justin Powell, sophomore guard/forward.
– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.
