The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery 2021-22 Boys Basketball Preview

Teams in the Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media area are going to look much different in the 2021-22 season than they did last year.

Archbishop Wood, the Philadelphia Catholic League and District 12 champions and PIAA-6A state runner-up, graduated four 1,000-point scorers in Rahsool Diggins, Jaylen Stinson, Marcus Randolph and Daeshon Sheperd.

Pope John Paul II, the Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1-4A champs, graduated some key players, including forward Justin Green.

Abington, Cheltenham and North Penn made deep District 1-6A playoff runs from the Suburban One League. The Ghosts graduated their leader in Rob Bell, the Panthers lost key players in Mike Mcclain and Saleem Payne and the Knights lost Josh Jones and Billy Coley.

Jenkintown made a run to the District 1-A final, but lost five seniors, including Jaden Welch.

Germantown Academy played a league-only schedule and went 6-3 in the always-competitive Inter-Ac. The Patriots graduated the program’s all-time leading scorer in Jordan Longino.

As always, when great players move on new ones emerge.

La Salle looks primed to challenge for the PCL title this season. The Explorers return three all-league players in second-team selections Sam Brown and Horace Simmons and third-teamer Nix Varano. The three all bring different things to the floor. Brown, a senior, is a guard who’s football background shows in his toughness. Simmons, a junior, is a do-it-all forward with superstar potential and has been receiving Division 1 offers since April. Varano, a senior, is a three-point sharpshooter who can make teams pay if they lose track of him.

Wood, which added point guard Justin Moore after Bishop McDevitt closed, and Archbishop Carroll, which has a young core headlined by sophomore Moses Hipps, also expect to compete for the top of the PCL while Lansdale Catholic will try to improve on last year’s record with strong guard play.

In the SOL Liberty Division, Plymouth Whitemarsh returns most of its team from a season ago that won the division title and earned the third seed in districts. The Colonials bring back experienced guards in seniors Zende Hubbard, Taji Hubbard and Marshall Baker and sophomore Jaden Colzie. Junior wing Qudire Bennett and senior forward Pat Flynn bring some size from last year’s team.

Abington, Upper Dublin and Wissahickon are among teams trying to catch PW in the Liberty Division. The Cardinals and Trojans need to replace 1,000-point scorers Drew Stover and Matt Compas, respectively.

In the SOL Colonial Division, CB West, North Penn, Pennridge and Souderton look to bounce back after CB East won the championship in 2021.

Cheltenham looks to defend its SOL Freedom title this year. The Panthers finished one game ahead of Upper Moreland, which returns seniors Byron Hopkins and Matt Tiernan.

PJP returns some key players – Kevin Green, JP Baron and Jaden Workman – to try to defend their PAC title. Upper Merion lost some key players, but hopes a challenging non-league schedule will have the Vikings playing their best against PAC opponents.

In the Bicentennial Athletic League, Jenkintown will try to build off last year’s district playoff run while Dock has high expectations for a new-look squad without Steve Martin and Dallas Wilder.

Archbishop Carroll

Head coach: Francis Bowe Jr. (4^th year)

Last year: 9-7, 7-5 PCL

Notable losses: Anquan Hill, Caleb Carter, Tyler Seward, Robbie Grasso, Matt Evans

Key returners: Harold Ivery, Sal Monastero, Justin Cannon, Dean Coleman-Newsome, Blake Deegan, Khair Dixon, Seamus Rogers, Moses Hipps, Su-Meer Alleyne, Steven Finley

Season outlook: “Success – Constantly building on our chemistry. Sharing the basketball and playing team first basketball. Challenge – Size and Rebounding.”

Central Bucks West

Head coach: Adam Sherman (21^st year)

Last year: 3-14, 3-7 SOL Colonial

Notable losses: Teddy Spratt

Key returners: John Lee, Donte Mancini, Michael Fountain, Charlie Cashman, Joe Gallagher

Season outlook: “We are looking forward to the upcoming season.  This group definitely took advantage of a semi-normal off-season.  We have seen many players improve quite a bit this off-season.  We are excited about this team’s potential.  We think we have the ability to make some noise in our league and district.”

Cheltenham

Head coach: Patrick Fleury (4^th year)

Last year: 14-2, 11-1 SOL Freedom, District 1-6A quarterfinals

Notable losses: Mike Mcclain, Saleem Payne, Brandon Hawkins, Ife West Hawkins

Key returners: Rasheem Dearry, Justin Savage, Elias Walker, Nasir Edens, Kamani Healey, Joey Weimer

Season outlook: “The Panthers lost three starters but have found the right group of underclassmen to pick up the responsibility. The Panthers will rely on their camaraderie and cohesion to push past obstacles and hurdles this year. The team has a good mix of seniors and underclassmen which can make for a special group this year and for years to come. The Panthers are excited about the emergence of Elias Walker and Josiah Hutson at the lead guard positions. The Panthers also have a very good mix of combo guards who offensively and defensively can set the tone and identity of the Panthers. Rasheem Dearry, Justin Savage, Nasir Edens, Brandon Bush and Joey Weimer will look to lead that charge. Taavi Mateen, Jalen Lucas and John Fevrier round out a talented and hungry group with their ability to change the game with shooting and energy. The Panthers are looking to improve regularly and make a push later in the season if possible. “

Dock Mennonite

Head coach: Mike Fergus (7^th year)

Last year: 11-9, 8-4 BAL

Notable losses: Steve Martin, Dallas Wilder, Mohamod Camara, Roman Kuhn, Rodney Willis

Key returners: Hoyt Bultje, Nathan Lapp, Tomir Johnson

Season outlook: “Expectations are high for this year’s edition of the Pioneers. It is a team that should really improve as the season goes along. Teamwork, fundamentals, and conditioning, as always, will be the hallmarks of this team.”

Germantown Academy

Head coach: Matt Dolan (3^rd year)

Last year: 6-3, 6-3 Inter-Ac

Notable losses: Jordan Longino, Dean Millard, Jerry Griffen-Batchler, Jake Brownstein, Hayes Rosato

Key returners: Jake Hsu, Casey Traina, Blake Smith, Luke Marvin, Cole Putnam, Luke Topley

Season outlook: “We are very excited to have a full season after last year was cut short. With ten seniors, we have strong leadership and a group that is willing to play hard. Our hope is to continue to develop our chemistry throughout the season and play our best basketball as the Inter-Ac league season begins in January.”

Hatboro-Horsham

Head coach: Rick Fedele (2^nd year)

Last year: 7-5, 3-7 SOL Liberty

Notable losses: Zehier Cheeze, Eric Butler

Key returners: Logan Fischer, Sam Fink, Noah Schlosser

Season outlook: “We worked hard in the off-season playing a lot of games.  We are slowly progressing and defining our team. Our goal is to continue to work hard and improve with every game and end the season better then we started.”

Jenkintown

Head coach: Wes Emme (11^th year)

Last year: 12-6 overall, 6-3 BAL, District 1-A finalist

Notable losses: Jadan Welch, Emmet Tweh, Sean Mizzoni, Roan McCall, Will, Cole Krinvic

Key returners: Jake Hilton, Danny Ecker, Bill McMahon, John Liu, Tommy Walsh

Season outlook: “After a run to the District Final in 2021, the Drakes look to build on their postseason run with a lot of new faces in new places. The Drakes look to returners Jake Hilton and Danny Ecker for strong two way play and leadership with the ball on their hands. Junior Bill McMahon and sophomore Tommy Walsh will be counted on to provide toughness and play big roles on our team on both ends of the floor. We hope to compete in the ever-evolving BAL for a division title and a run in the District tournament.”

Lansdale Catholic

Head coach: Joseph Corbett

Last year: 1-8, 1-8 PCL

Notable losses: Kellan Ward, Jimmy Casey

Key returners: Liam McDonnell, Brandon Thompson, Matt Hopkins

Season outlook: “We return a lot of guards who we will look to to provide leadership and scoring. We love the challenge of playing in one of the best leagues in the area.”

La Salle

Head coach: Mike McKee (4^th year)

Last year: 9-5, 9-5 PCL

Notable losses: Charles Ireland, Jackson Conroy

Key returners: Sam Brown, Horace Simmons Jr., Nix Varano, Chris Williams

North Penn

Head coach: John Conrad (11^th year)

Last year: 12-7, 6-4 SOL Colonial, District 1-6A quarterfinals

Notable losses: Josh Jones, Billy Coley

Key returners: Joe Larkins, Mario Sgro, Ryan Zeltt

Season outlook: “We have a lot of new faces in the program.  Culture and chemistry will be more important than X’s and O’s for this group.”

Pennridge

Head coach: Dean Behrens (24^th year)

Last year: 13-6, 6-4 SOL Colonial, second round of District 1-6A playoffs

Notable losses: TJ Grenda, Aiden McCloskey, Colin Monahan, Colin Post, Greg Stumpo, Luke Yoder

Key returners: Justin Nichols, Matt Campione

Season outlook: To Be Successful: “Team Chemistry, Limit Turnovers, Limit Opponents to one shot per possession, solid defense, and consistent foul shooting – there are many players battling for varsity minutes. We are looking for players to step up and prove they belong on the varsity level. Our goal is to win the Colonial Division of the Suburban One.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Head coach: Jim Donofrio (24^th year)

Last year: 14-4, 9-1 SOL Liberty champs, District 1-6A second round

Notable losses: Luke DiCianno, Zuri Jerman, David Harris

Key returners: Qudire Bennett, Zende Hubbard, Taji Hubbard, Jaden Colzie, Pat Flynn, Trey Jones, Marshall Baker

Season outlook: “We return 7 players from last year’s varsity team (3 starters), as well as several new, talented underclassmen.  Our goals are to compete for the league title and perform well in both district and state tournaments. “

Pope John Paul II

Head coach: Brendan Stanton (4^th Season)

Last year: 16-2, PAC champs, District 1-4A champs

Notable losses: Justin Green, Liam Haffey, Justin Carr, Luke McCarthy, Mike Wells, Pat Mink

Key returners: Kevin Green, JP Baron, Jaden Workman

Players to watch: Guards Trey Rogers, Luke Sykes, and Chase Mondillo. Forwards Dylan Russ and Aidan O’Brien

Season outlook: “We have a good mix of established starters and guys who are hungry to show what they can do at varsity level. Even with limited size, we know we have the talent to compete with anyone and play into March again. Our season will be defined by how well our established players lead and the toughness we show night in and night out.”

Souderton

Head coach: Okoteh Sackitey (1^st year)

Last year: 2-14, 1-9 SOL Colonial

Notable losses: Evan Kutzler

Key returners: Aleks Smith, Chris Towsen, Shaun Purvy

Season outlook: “Our expectation is to get better every day and to grow on and off the court. We’ll be looking to work hard every day, be resilient, and be selfless.”

Springfield

Head coach: Rob Fusaro (2^nd year)

Last year: 0-12, 0-12 SOL Freedom

Notable losses: None

Key returners: Dylan McKenzie, Kyle Smythe, Ben Cooney

Season outlook: “We have been focusing a lot on all players accepting their roles and excelling in those roles. We are looking forward to competing every night as the season gets started.” 

Upper Dublin

Head coach: Chris Monahan (5^th year)

Last year: 12-10, 5-5 SOL Liberty, second round of District 1-6A playoffs

Notable losses: Drew Stover

Key returners: DJ Cerisier, Ellis Johnson, Chris Kohlbrenner, Seaton Kukla, Noah Lee, Colin O’Sullivan, Griffin Pensabene

Season outlook: “It’s an interesting group in that we only have one senior, but several players who logged a ton of varsity minutes last season. I expect us to work hard, improve as the season goes, and compete with everyone on our schedule.”

Upper Merion

Head coach: Jason Quenzer (8^th year)

Last year: 8-8, 5-5 PAC Frontier, first round of District 1-5A playoffs

Notable losses: Lukas Kim, Collin Bowman

Key returners: Ty Jones, Madison Tatom, Kalil Lawson

Season outlook: “The team has a tough schedule of league and non-league opponents that will challenge us to bring our best on a nightly basis.”

Wissahickon

Head coach: Kyle Wilson(23^rd year)

Last year: 12-10, 9-7 SOL Liberty

Notable losses: Matt Compas, Jackson Intrieri, Will Kunzier, Stefan Lowry

Key returners: Josh Twersky, Earl Stout, Morgan Wilson

Season outlook: “This is an extremely coachable and talented group of players. They can play multiple styles of play, and they like to get after it defensively.”