With Ches-Mont Final Four likely set, it’s time to set the odds

With just a handful of games left in the boys basketball regular season, it already looks like the Ches-Mont Final Four is set.

In the National Division, Bishop Shanahan and Coatesville — barring any major upsets this week — will be the two teams from the National, while Great Valley and West Chester Rustin are the two American Division squads.

That would be a repeat of last year’s Final Four, and should give area fans a great show starting Saturday at Downingtown West High School.

Bishop Shanahan is a veteran team that has played together for three years, and big man Kevin Dodds is one of the best in the area. David Angelo leads the Ches-Mont in 3-point shooting, but a lack of depth could hurt the Eagles. Coatesville is the most talented team of the Final Four, with Jhamir bricks one of the most exciting players in the district. The Red Raiders do have times where they do not shoot well, as teams pack in and play a tight the zone defense against them.

Great Valley runs the exact same offense it has been using for years, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Liam Ward is a great pure shooter and underrated big man Nate Graef is a force inside for the Patriots. At times, especially early in the season, the Patriots did not shoot well from the outside, and if those shooting woes show up again, that could derail the Patriots. West Chester Rustin has two big men in Jake Nelson and Tajir Asparagus, but the Golden Knights, at times, stand and watch on offense instead of moving the ball around to Nelson in the low post.

*** Other area teams will spend the week fighting for spots in the District 1 playoffs, and a big game looms Thursday as West Chester East will take on Downingtown West. East is currently sitting at No. 18 in the Class 5A bracket, two spots out of the top 16. But a win over the 6A Whippets would likely be enough to put the Vikings in the bracket. First-year head coach Tom Durant has done a great job with the young Vikings, and the future looks bright at West Chester East.

*** On the flip side of that game, Downingtown West is sitting at No. 24, the final remaining spot in the Class 6A bracket, with Souderton right on the Whippets’ tail. So a loss to the Vikings could bring West’s season to an early end. I expected more of the Whippets this season, and you could call West’s season a disappointment. But if the Whippets get in the playoffs and make a run to the state tournament, the regular season will be forgotten.

*** Malvern Prep super sophomore Deuce Turner exploded for 48 points Saturday afternoon, setting a school record in the Friars’ win over Bishop Shanahan. The Friars feature two superb sophomores in Turner and Radhir Hicks, the son of former West Chester University star guard Ricky Hicks. 1. COATESVILLE 2. WESTTOWN 3. MALVERN PREP 4. BISHOP SHANAHAN 5. CONESTOGA 6. W.C. RUSTIN 7. GREAT VALLEY

MICHAEL REEVES — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Coatesville coach Chuck Moore will take his team back to the Ches-Mont Final Four, barring an upset loss to winless West Chester Henderson this week.