Presenting 2015-16 All-Main Line boys’ basketball teams

By Bruce Adams and Eddie Levin

badams@21st-Centurymedia.com

While the 2015-16 Main Line high school boys’ basketball season produced no state champions, a number of local teams strongly contended for the top prize in their respective leagues.
Archbishop Carroll (23-4) advanced to the Catholic League semifinals, and later to the second round of the PIAA Class AAA state tournament.
Conestoga (18-10) advanced to the Central League title game, then to the District One tourney and the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament.
Episcopal Academy (19-7) had one of its best campaigns under coach Craig Conlin, finishing second in the InterAc before advancing to the PAISAA semifinals.
Friends’ Central (19-10), led by McDonald’s All-American nominee De’Andre Hunter, advanced to the Friends’ Schools League championship game.
Lower Merion (18-10) advanced to the PIAA Class AAAA District One semifinals at Temple’s Liacouras Center, won a program-best five overtime games and advanced to the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament.
Devon Prep (11-14) bounced back from a roller coaster regular season to advance to the PIAA District One Class AA title game.
Shipley (17-11) had its best campaign under Phil D’Ambrosio, advancing to the Friends Schools League playoffs and a berth in the PAISAA playoffs.
Malvern Prep (16-12) also had a successful 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 2015-16 All-Main Line high school boys’ basketball teams:

FIRST TEAM

Ryan Daly, Archbishop Carroll – The Catholic League’s Most Valuable Player, the 6-foot-4 senior guard averaged 21.7 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest. A deadly outside shooter, he nailed 65 three-pointers.

Josh Sharkey, Archbishop Carroll – A first team All-Catholic League selection, the senior guard displayed a wide range of outstanding skills this season, averaging 14.5 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.8 rpg and 3.3 spg.

Darryl Caldwell, Conestoga – Senior point guard and captain scored 1,270 career points, was first team All-Central League and first team All-Chester County. Averaged more than 16.1 points per game, and nailed 46 three-pointers.

Nick Alikakos, Episcopal Academy – A first team All-InterAc selection for the second year in a row, the junior forward averaged 22.7 points per game, and was the InterAc’s leading scorer, passing the 1,000 career points milestone. Led EA in blocked hots, and will be co-captain next season. EA head coach Craig Conlin calls him, “A double-double machine every night out.”

Conner Delaney, Episcopal Academy – Junior guard, a first team All-InterAc selection, averaged close to seven assist per game, and more than 11 points per contest. Led the Churchmen in taking charges, and will be co-captain next season.

De’Andre Hunter, Friends’ Central – A McDonald’s All-American nominee and University of Virginia commit, the senior forward finished his Phoenix career with 1,604 points (and missed his sophomore season due to injury). A first team All-Friends’ Schools League selection, he averaged 23.7 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

Chuck Champion, Friends’ Central – A first team All-Friends Schools League selection, the senior guard averaged 14.5 points per game and hit 60 three-pointers. Committed to Loyola.

Kharon Randolph, Haverford School – A first team All-InterAc selection, the sophomore guard averaged 16.1 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game.

Terrell Jones, Lower Merion – A first team All-Central League selection, the 6-foot-4 junior guard averaged 14.7 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per contest.

Jeremy Horn, Lower Merion – Senior 6-foot-8 forward was a dominating inside presence for the Aces. Pulled down 5.6 rebounds per game, scored 11.6 points per contest and received All-Central League honors.

Will Powers, Malvern Prep – Senior guard, a first team All-InterAc selection, passed the 1,000 career point milestone this winter. The Friars’ Most Valuable Player, the senior averaged 19.7 points per game this season.

Sam Sessoms, Shipley – Sophomore point guard was a first team All-Friends’ Schools League selection, and displayed a wide range of skills, averaging 20 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg and 2 spg. Gators’ Most Valuable Player also was MVP of Hazleton Cougar Holiday Classic.

SECOND TEAM

Archbishop Carroll – John Rigsby, senior guard.
Barrack Hebrew Academy – Elliott Bernstein, senior; Zack Lipstein, junior.
Conestoga – MJ Lezanic, senior guard; Andrew Larkin, senior guard; Charlie Martin, junior forward; Andrew Shapiro, junior guard.
Devon Prep – Daniel Shannon, junior point guard; Dan Brace, senior center.
Episcopal Academy – Matt Woods, senior guard; Kyle Sacchetta, senior guard.
Friends’ Central – Antone Walker, junior guard.
Harriton – Will Esposto, junior guard.
Haverford High – Jack Donaghy, senior point guard.
Haverford School – Jack Marshall, senior center.
Lower Merion – KJ Helton, senior guard; Noah Fennell, junior guard.
Malvern Prep – Mike Hollingsworth, senior post.
Radnor – Vinnie Kelly, senior guard; Mason Ressler, junior guard.
Shipley – Kiyon Hardy, junior guard; Arvelle Jones, senior guard/forward.

HONORABLE MENTION

Barrack Hebrew Academy – Sammy Turk Tolub, senior guard.
Conestoga – Angus Mayock, junior forward; Jack Baker, senior center.
Friends’ Central – Steven Folwell, senior guard.
Harriton – Idris Ransom, junior guard.
Haverford High – Connor Guilfoil, senior forward.
Radnor – Mike Li, senior guard; Jake Bodenger, senior guard.