Wide-open Ches-Mont race expected for 2021-22 hoops season
By Peter DiGiovanni
@PeteDLNontwitter
The 2021-22 boys’ scholastic basketball seasons here and area coaches, players and fans are hoping to get in a full schedule of games after COVID-19 wreaked havoc with the schedule last season and caused many teams to cancel games throughout the season.
The Ches-Mont League is wide open and other area teams like Devon Prep and Conestoga have legitimate reasons to expect a successful season. Here is a look at all the area teams.
Ches-Mont National Division
Avon Grove: Avon Grove coach Ikeem Mays has made steady progress in rebuilding the Red Devils program in his three years at the helm. Mays will count on seniors Tyler Arnold, Aidan Violette and Tyler Newman. Avon Grove lacks size but the Red Devils could approach the .500 mark this season.
Bishop Shanahan: Bishop Shanahan had COVID-19 problems last season but Eagles’ head coach John Dougherty has reason to be optimistic this season. Senior Zane Domsohn is one of the better point guards in the district. Ethan O’Laughlin is a good 3-point shooter and senior Brandon Choi will add muscle to the Eagles’ front court. Bishop Shanahan is a player in the 5A district playoff race and Ches-Mont League title chase.
Coatesville: Red Raider coach Marc Turner returns some talent from a team that was shut down late in the season last year with COVID-19 problems. Coatesville features senior wingman Jaden Brickus who is one of the top scorers in the Ches-Mont. Brickus can score the basketball and is very good in transition. Chase Coleman and James Taylor will also be counted on to control the glass and score inside. Coatesville is a serious contender for the Ches-Mont League title and a top 6A playoff team.
Downingtown East: The Cougars feature first year head coach Brian Grashof to the Downingtown East fold. Grashof has senior big man George Bousum, who averaged 15 points per game last season. Junior point guard Connor Shanahan had a very good sophomore season and should take the next step this season. Downingtown East should contend for a district playoff spot this season.
Downingtown West: The Whippets and coach Stu Ross have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Juniors Dylan Blair and 6-foot-8 Jake Warren are both Division I prospects. Wingman Joey Suarez will also be counted on to score for the Whippets. Warren has a nice touch around the basket and Blair is a top notch point guard and big-time defender and he makes the Whippets go. Downingtown West is the favorite to win the Ches-Mont League and one of the top teams in the 6A bracket.
West Chester East: The two time defending Ches-Mont League champions under coach Tom Durant return junior Jack Kushner and sophomore Ryan Price. Kushner is a dangerous rebounder and good inside scorer. Freshman KJ Cochran should make an impact this season. The Vikings are contenders for the Ches-Mont League title and will be a district playoff team.
West Chester Henderson: Warriors coach Rob Fraturra and his team lost a lot of close games last season as the Warriors had trouble finishing games. This season, seniors Ethan Jarden and Eddie Smink return. Both are good shooters and play good defense. West Chester Henderson should approach the .500 mark this season and finally win some of those close games that got away last season.
Ches-Mont American Division:
Great Valley: Great Valley and third year coach CJ Savage just missed out on the district playoffs last season and are looking to change things this season. Seniors Connor Gal and Max DiMedio both saw considerable time last season and the Patriots should be a district playoff team this season and contend in the Ches-Mont American Division.
Kennett: Kennett and coach Jacob Gray are coming off a bounce back season that saw the Blue Demons advance to the 6A playoffs and just lose to a good Abington team in the first round. Seniors Kalen Frazier, Luke Augustine and Zach Lower all saw considerable time last season. Lower is one of the better 3-point shooters in the Ches-Mont League. Kennett should contend in the Ches-Mont American Division this season and make a run at a district playoff spot.
Oxford: First year coach Dan Hoff attempts to revive an Oxford program that had hit the skids recently. Senior Jayden Hagler-Miller and juniors Matt Boyle and Colin Overchick are the top players for a Hornets squad that will attempt to take the first step back to prominence in the Ches-Mont American Division.
Unionville: Unionville coach Chris Cowles is one of the better coaches in the district and the Longhorns bring back senior Kevin Nowoswait and Jack Casten to a team that went to the second round of the 5A playoffs last season. Nowoswait is one of the better scorers in the Ches-Mont league and Casten is a good inside scorer. The Longhorns look to be the favorite sin the Ches-Mont American and a threat to withe Ches-Mont League title.
West Chester Rustin: West Chester Rustin will see what life without long-time coach Keith Cochran is like. Vince Mostradi replaced Cochran last summer and the Golden Knights’ new coach will be counting on Ian Schlessinger and senior Kolbe Freney who both saw considerable time last season as the Golden Knights advanced to the 5A district title game. Schlesinger is dangerous shooter and Freney can score inside. A lack of height may hurt the Golden Knights inside this season.
Other Schools
Church Farm: The Griffins had their entire season wiped out by the pandemic last season. Church Farm coach Jonathan Guarante will field a young team that will play a lot of Central League and Ches-Mont League teams in a very ambitious non-league slate.
Conestoga: Conestoga and longtime coach Mike Troy will be one of the top contenders to knock off Central League giant Lower Merion. Senior Mike Walz a 6-foot-9 center will be the key for the Pioneers. Walz has a nice inside game and can control the boards for the Pioneers. Senior guards Simeon Dorsey and Nafees Robinson also return for the Pioneers who will make a run in the Central League and be a district playoff team in the 6A bracket.
Devon Prep: Devon Prep was a pleasant surprise last season advancing to the Philadelphia Catholic league playoffs under coach Jason Fisher. The Tide return senior guard IV Pettit who averaged 14.5 points per game last season. Pettit is one of the better guards in the PCL and is a very good 3-point threat. Senior Lucas Orchard will be counted onto score inside and the Tide should make a run at the PCL playoffs again.
Malvern Prep: Malvern Prep has a first year coach in former Archbishop Carroll coach Paul Romanczuk. The new Friars’ boss will welcome returning seniors Robby Di Fabio and Chase Reardon. Sophomore Tague Davis will be counted on to control the boards for the Friars in a wide open Inter-Academic League race.
Phelps School: Former Malvern Prep coach John Harmatuk takes over the Lions program and will bring his fast-paced offense to the Lions. Phelps will count on guard Mitchell Holmes to run the offense. Big-time recruit Need Benwel will also be counted on to score, and the Lions should have a very successful season under the former Malvern Prep coach.
Westtown: Westtown coach Seth Berger has accumulated a dazzling display of Division I talent for a team that is one of the best in the country. Senior center, 6-foot-10 center Dereck Lively, is ticketed for Duke and senior Jameel Brown is committed to Penn State. Senior point guard Quin Berger will run the up-tempo Moose offense. Westtown should easily win the Friends League this season and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools championship.
Collegium Charter: Coach Markel Jones likes to play up-tempo basketball and he will feature guards Dinero Washington and sophomore Kamari Smith. Junior big man Duce Jackson can score inside for Cougars and is a good rebounder.
