Questions need answers
Who will claim EPC Mountain title and can Pennridge bounce back?
The 2019-20 boys basketball season tipped off this weekend, with league play to start this coming week.
Here’s a look at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Mountain Division as well as several other teams from The Morning Call coverage area, including Pennridge, which played in the last game of the 2018-19 season — a memorable two-overtime battle with Kennedy Catholic in the PIAA 6A title game.
EPC Mountain Division
EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH
Coach: Nelson McKeithan (first season).
2018-19: 4-18, 3-13 EPC. Players to watch: Paul Ampah (senior forward, 6-4); Bekim Azemi (senior guard, 5-8); Harold Freeman (senior forward/ center, 6-3); Kyle John (sophomore guard, 5-9); Greg Oyola (senior guard, 6-0); Kariym Patterson (senior guard, 5-11); Sebastion Pigeot (sophomore guard, 5-4); Edwin Rountree (senior forward, 6-4); Caleb Ukuni (senior guard, 5-8); Ahmad Wilson ( junior guard, 5-5).
The big question: Can the Timberwolves rekindle the magic that carried them to an 18-11 record, the District 11 5A championship and a state playoff win in 2016-17?
Outlook: McKeithan, an inschool suspension and learning support teacher at North as well as the freshman football coach, is North’s third coach in four years. He wants the T-wolves to push the tempo and says the players have good chemistry and are having fun.
EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH
Coach: Shawn Munford (eighth season, 83-84).
2018-19: 15-12, 8-8 EPC. Lost to Parkland in the District 11 6A tournament.
Players to watch: Christian Sapp ( junior guard, 6-0, 9.8 ppg); Jaiden Cesanek (junior center, 6-4); Mylo Santos ( junior guard, 6-1); Jermaine Greene (senior guard, 5-11); Jasir Parker ( junior guard, 6-0).
Question: Can the Cavaliers overcome the loss of nine seniors and replace the production of last year’s EPC MVP, Jeremiah Anderson?
Outlook: The Cavaliers lost perhaps as much as talent as any team in the league. Munford has Sapp and some young talent on the roster, but there are questions about whether they will be able to compete in the EPC on a nightly basis.
PLEASANT VALLEY Coach: Bobby Hahn (second season).
2018-19: 2-20, 2-14 EPC. Players to watch: Noah Mitchell (sophomore guard, 510, 9 ppg); Nick Waltermyer (junior guard, 5-9); Sebastian Pizscatowski (senior forward, 6-5, 7.8 ppg); Mychal Kearns (senior forward, 6-1, 4.3 ppg); Kory Kearns (senior forward, 6-1); Marcus Arce ( junior guard, 5-10); Joel Contreras (junior guard); Leland Hargrow ( junior guard, 5-10); Shelby Joyner ( junior guard, 6-2); Isaiah Spruill (sophomore forward, 6-5); Nick Rommel (senior forward, 6-2).
The big question: Can the newcomers mesh with the returning players?
Outlook: The Bears have raised eyebrows with five incoming players arriving from other programs. At least on opening night, the newcomers didn’t boost PV’s fortunes as the Bears were defeated by Wilson Area 76-47. Hahn said his returning players worked hard during the offseason to improve, but there isn’t much varsity experience and he expects contributions from many on his roster.
POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST
Coach: Mark Dudley (fifth season, 35-55).
2018-19: 16-8, 12-4 EPC. Lost to Allen in the EPC quarterfinals; lost to Allen in the District 11 6A quarterfinals in OT.
Players to watch: Semir Dervisevic (senior guard, 6-4, 8 ppg); Donovan Byrd (senior forward, 6-5, new to program); Jacob Jackson ( junior forward, 6-2); Colin Castillon (junior guard, 5-10); Tamir Thompson (sophomore guard, 5-11).
The big question: After graduating eight, can the underclassmen mature quickly enough to keep program at a competitive level?
Outlook: Dudley and the Cardinals had a breakthrough season last year, going 10-0 through the division, but lost a pair of postseason heartbreakers to Allen. He has a team with talent but little experience.
“I like my team and our direction,” he said. “The best things about these kids is they’re like sponges with how quickly they learn. It’s refreshing to see kids so engaged.”
POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST
Coach: Rich Williams (third season, 30-22).
2018-19: 13-11, 9-7 EPC. Beat Liberty, lost to Emmaus in the District 11 6A tournament.
Players to watch: Maurice Whittle (senior forward, 6-0, 7.2 ppg); Lawson Bray (senior guard, 6-0); Matthew Campbell (junior guard, 5-10); Justin Smith ( junior guard, 5-9); Christian Fermin (sophomore center, 6-9).
The biggest question: Can the Panthers limit their turnovers and get enough offensive production after graduating six of their top seven scorers?
Outlook: The Panthers lost their season opener to Freedom in the Dailey Memorial Tournament Friday night but figure to be competitive as usual in the EPC Mountain if they overcome their inexperience. STROUDSBURG
Coach: Matt Gallagher (second season).
2018-19: 5-17, 3-13 EPC. Players to watch: Del’Ron Card (senior guard, 6-2, 16.7 ppg); Gerard Richburg (senior guard, 6-0, 9.6 ppg); Jahdari Kettrels (senior guard, 6-3, 6 ppg); John Brady (senior forward, 6-4); Ali Salama (senior guard/forward, 6-1); Jahkai Barnes (junior guard, 6-0); Mikey Estecumber (junior guard, 6-2); Qadir Mitchell (sophomore guard, 6-3).
The big question: Can the Mounties rebound well and find consistency on offense?
Outlook: Stroudsburg lost its season opener to Wallenpaupack but returns three of its top four scorers from last year. The Mounties will have to defend better after allowing 68.5 points per game last season, the second-most in the EPC.
Others
BRANDYWINE
Coach: Ryan Wehr (seventh season, 52-78).
2018-19: 15-8, 7-3 Berks. Lost to Reading in league quarterfinals; lost to Lancaster Mennonite in District 3 quarterfinals.
Players to watch: John Harrison (senior guard/forward, 6-1, 18.8 ppg); John Buddock (senior guard, 5-11); Andy Ludwig (senior guard, 6-2); Elijah Ruppert ( junior guard/forward, 6-0).
The big question: Can the Bullets keep the momentum going after back-to-back trips to the Berks playoffs for the first time in school history?
Outlook: Wehr, a Parkland High graduate who coached at Emmaus for several seasons, has built a solid program with the Tigers and has the potential for more success this winter. PENNRIDGE
Coach: Dean Behrens (22nd season, 248-276).
2018-19: 27-6. Beat Lincoln, Abington, Methacton, La Salle College in PIAA 6A tournament; lost to Kennedy Catholic 64-62 in 2 OTs in state finals.
Players to watch: Trent Fisher (senior forward, 6-7); Luke Yoder (junior guard/forward, 6-1); Paul Croyle (senior forward, 6-1); Christian Guldin (senior guard/forward, 6-0); Anthony Phillips (senior forward, 6-2); Connor Pleibel (senior guard/forward, 6-1); Colin Post (senior guard/forward, 6-1); Ryan Benscoter (junior center, 6-7); Colin Monahan (junior forward, 6-2).
The big question: What do the Rams do for an encore after the most special season in school history?
Outlook: Sean Yoder and several other key players from last year’s state finalists are gone, but several talented players have a chance to shine and the Rams opened the season with a convincing win over Truman. Behrens is concerned about the defense, rebounding and lack of experience.
QUAKERTOWN
Coach: Mike DeCarolis (second season).
2018-19: 5-17.
Players to watch: Matt Catalano ( junior guard, 5-9); Kayden Roley ( junior guard, 5-10); Jack Gordon (junior guard, 5-10); Matt Tuley (senior forward, 6-3); Jake Hollowell (senior forward, 6-3).
The big question: Can the Panthers overcome a lack of experience that was created, in part, from the transfer of several players?
Outlook: DeCarolis, a former head coach at Penn State-Lehigh Valley and an assistant at Pennridge, got the job just before the start of last season and said there’s a much better comfort zone having been in place for a full year.
“We’ve got great chemistry,” he said. “The kids play hard and smart. What we lack in experience we have in heart and hustle.”
UPPER PERKIOMEN Coach: Brandon Hibbler (first season).
2018-19: 2-20.
Players to watch: Sean Boyle (senior guard); Hunter Flack (junior guard); Drew Kupchak (senior forward); Rich Clancy (senior center); Adam Shaak (sophomore forward); Jack Cupitt (junior forward); Nate Maiden (senior guard); Cole Kendra ( junior guard).
The big question: Can the Indians surprise some opponents and push toward an eightto 10-win season and qualify for the district playoffs?
Outlook: Hibbler, who had some success as the girls coach at Lincoln Leadership and Palisades, said his staff wants to change the culture at Upper Perk. He replaces Jared Krupp, who led the program for six seasons.
“We will not be 2-20 again,” Hibbler said. “We need to play well early, gain some confidence as well as win our non-league games.”