EPC Steel Division should be as tough as ever
Basketball is known as the big-city game. Nationally, the sport flourishes in places like Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, Chicago and Las Vegas, which are all among the biggest hotbeds for hoops. Locally, the big cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton have produced their share of talented teams and athletes over the years. It’s in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Steel Division where six of the league’s city schools reside — Allen, Bethlehem Catholic, Dieruff, Easton, Freedom and Liberty. It’s an appropriately named division because it’s a tough division filled with tough kids who love competing. It’s also the home of the last two EPC champs as Allen was the 2016-17 champion and Becahi grabbed the gold last year. While there are plenty of other talented teams across the league, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 2018-19 champ again is made of Steel. A look at what’s to come:
7 super players
Becahi’s Justin Paz and Kyle Young; Liberty’s Will Harper; Allen’s Aquele Adderly, Freedom’s Malek and Caleb Mims and Easton’s Ryan Boylan.
5 who could surprise
Allen freshman Nate Ellis; Dieruff junior Honor Huff; Liberty junior Rahmad Ali; Freedom junior Taj Montgomery and Becahi junior Ryan Santana.
4 storylines to follow
1. How will Becahi fare after losing head coach Ray Barbosa to Executive Education Academy Charter and hiring former Muhlenberg College coach Scott McClary? 2. Can Allen rekindle the magic it had two years ago with a team that lacks star power, but plays as unselfishly than any coach Doug Snyder can remember? 3. Can Dieruff finally break through and earn its first District 11 tournament berth since 2008?
4. Can Freedom, which has been in the news for losing a key player to Executive Education Academy Charter, mesh two incoming players with the other returners and make a playoff push?
3 opening-night games
The EPC schedule opens Dec. 11 with Allen at Liberty, Dieruff at Easton and Becahi at Freedom.
2 special attractions
Allen will play Pocono Mountain East in the Lehigh Valley Round Ball JAMboree to benefit the fight against Parkinson’s on Dec. 16 at Liberty and Parkland will be in the Canaries’ holiday tournament this year joining regulars Wilkes-Barre GAR and Springfield-Delco on Dec. 27-28.
Easton and Freedom both will play defending Colonial League champ Bangor this season. The Red Rovers travel to the Slate Belt on opening night. The Patriots host Bron Holland’s team on Jan. 19 in the YassoRothrock Christmas City Classic.
1 man’s opinion
Predicted order of finish: 1. Bethlehem Catholic; 2. Easton; 3. Allen; 4. Freedom; 5. Liberty; 6. Dieruff.
A team-by-team look:
ALLEN
Coach: Doug Snyder (22nd season, 323220).
2017-18: 15-10, 11-5 EPC. Lost to Bethlehem Catholic 56-54 in EPC semis; lost to Pocono Mountain West 63-62 in District 11 6A quarterfinals.
Players to watch: 5-8 Fr. G Nate Ellis 6-3 Sr. G Allen Young (2.3 ppg); 5-10 Jr. G Josh Stout; 6-2 Jr. F A’quele Adderley (9.5 ppg); 6-5 Jr. F Quinton Stewart; 6-3 Jr. G Xavier Sarver-Jones; 6-3 Sr. F Alexis Adames (transfer from Perth Amboy, N.J.). The big question: Can Ellis, a freshman point guard and a 3-point shooting champ at a summer tournament, become a leader fast enough to run the Canaries offense? Outlook: Allen doesn’t have the overall talent it has had in recent years and only Adderley was a scoring threat last season, but the Canaries will pass the ball, look for good shots and try to minimize the turnovers that has plagued them in recent years. Will it be enough to make them a playoff team? Time will tell.
BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC
Coach: Scott McClary (first season). 2017-18: 28-4, 15-1 EPC. Won league title with tournament wins over Parkland, Allen and CCHS. Won District 1-11 4A title with wins over Octorara Area, Wilson and Lower Moreland. Beat Nanticoke, Conwell-Egan and Berks Catholic in states before losing to Imhotep in 4A semis.
Players to watch: 5-11 Jr. G Ryan Santana; 6-5 Sr. F Caden Giordano; 5-11 Jr. G Bryan Santana; 5-11 Jr. G TJ Edwards; 5-11 So. G Jahkai Barnes; 5-9 Fr. G Jalil Schenck; 6-4
Fr. F Ryan Glassmacher; 6-3 Jr. G Julian Thomas (3.3 ppg); 6-2 Fr. F Steve Recchio; 6-4 So. F Shelby Joyner; 6-9 Sr. C Kyle
Young (7.7 ppg); 6-0 So. G Matt Altmire; 6-4 So. F Caden McClary; 6-3 Jr. G Justin Paz (16.3 ppg); 6-5 Jr. F Logan Bender; 6-6 Fr. F Isiah Alexander.
The big question: How will the Golden Hawks respond to the more regimented, college-like approach of McClary?
Outlook: This is a very talented team that figures to be among the EPC’s best. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they were the last team standing again.
For Dieruff info, see story above EASTON
Coach: Ben Childs (sixth season, 57-59). 2017-18: 14-10, 10-6 EPC. Lost to East Stroudsburg South 53-24 in EPC quarterfinals; lost to Emmaus 68-42 in D11 6A quarterfinals.
Players to watch: 5-8 Jr. G Derek Jacobs (6.8 ppg); 5-7 So. G Asad Brown (2.1 ppg); 6-2 Jr. G Ryan Boylan (14.9 ppg); 6-1 Sr. F/C Kyle Baker; 6-0 Jr. G Jared Jacobs; 6-0 So. G/F Chris Hewey (6.2 ppg); 5-9 Sr. G
Chevon Foreman (3.9 ppg).
The big question: Can Easton stick around in the postseason after a couple of quick exits in recent years?
Outlook: The Red Rovers feature a very quick, talented and experienced team, but lack size. This team could still be a year away from serious title contention, but has enough firepower to create lots of excitement this season.
FREEDOM
Coach: Joe Stellato (19th season, 200-231). 2017-18: 8-14, 6-10 EPC.
Players to watch: 6-3 Sr. F Tyler DePaolis; 6-4 Sr. F Ulrich Famawa; 6-0 Sr. G Rontay Dunbar; 6-4 Sr. F Jack Gawlik; 6-4 Sr. F Jordan McTier; 6-0 Sr. G Reuben Soto (4.8 ppg); 6-0 Sr. G Isiah Cedano; 5-9 Jr. G Malik Harrington; 5-10 Jr. G Caleb Mims (9.3 ppg); 5-10 Jr. G Malek Mims (11.4 ppg); 5-8 Jr. G Taj Montgomery; 6-2 Jr. G Elijah Ruiz; 6-3 Jr. F Jalen Stewart; 5-9 So. G AJ Fletcher.
The big question: Will all the recent chatter and controversy over the transfer of Jevin Muniz to Executive Education Academy Charter motivate the players who remained?
Outlook: Freedom lost a lot of close games last season. If the Patriots find a way to finish stronger and get more contributions to complement the talented Mims brothers, this could be a playoff team.
LIBERTY
Coach: Chad Landis (11th season, 166-96). 2017-18: 11-12, 7-9 EPC. Lost to Nazareth 62-46 in first round of D11 6A tournament. Players to watch: 6-2 So. G Alijah Cannon; 6-0 Sr. G Aflolabi Jemi-Alade; 6-5 Jr. F
Dallas Holmes; 6-0 Jr. G/F Xander Traca;
6-4 Jr. F Will Harper (8.0 ppg); 6-0 Jr. G Rahmad Ali; 6-4 Sr. F Will Slippe.
The big question: With Harper being the only proven scorer back, who can step up to help the Hurricanes offensively, especially from 3-point range?
Outlook: Liberty has slipped in recent years, but Landis likes this bunch and sees a lot of potential in the program. Everything may not come together this year, but a better than .500 season and a playoff appearance would be a positive stepping stone.