Panthers look to reach new heights with 6-9 Fermin
Christian Fermin literally towers above his team and muchof the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
At 6-foot-9, the Pocono Mountain West junior is one of the tallest players in the EPC and District 11.
He’s also one of the best.
Fermin, who has received five Division I scholarship offers from La Salle, Siena, Central Connecticut State, Hofstra and St. Bonaventure, showcased his skills during the first round of districts last year when he scored 20 points and added 14 rebounds in a come-from-behind win at Whitehall. This year, he figures to put up those kind of numbers every night, probably even more.
Likewise, his Panthers have a chance to stand at the top of the league and district this year as they did in 2017.
But like everyone else, Pocono Mountain West’s season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Panthers didn’t get to practice until Dec. 2 and will likely have to wait until Jan. 15 or later to play their first game.
Once they do start, they will be tough to stop.
“This team is way better than it was last year,” Ferminsaid. “Wehaveplentyofexperience and tons of talent and we’ve been working hard through the quarantine. We’re expecting some really good things.”
So is Panthers coach Rich Williams, who would like the chance to show the rest of the league and district how good it is, but might not get the chance because of a limited schedule.
“We have Christian who is special and we have Justin Smith who is also primed for a big year after committing to Montclair State,” Williams said. “He’s as good as any point guard in the Lehigh Valley. And Matt Campbell is in his third year as a starter. They’re our big three and beyond that we have a lot of guys who are ready to carve their niche.”
Pocono Mountain West
Rich Williams (fourth year,
Coach:
41-35).
2019-20season: 11-13, 8-8 EPC(second in EPC Mountain).
Postseason: Beat Whitehall 54-49, lost to Allen 80-48 in the District 11 6A tournament.
Impact players: Justin Smith (5-10, Sr. G); Matt Campbell (5-11, Sr. G-F); Christian Fermin (6-9, Jr. C);
Why are they ranked: Fermin is arguably the best player in the league and area. While he averaged just 9.2 points per game last season, his overall game has advanced to another level since the end of last season. His presence on the floor makes everyone around him better because he will get double and triple-teamed and have the patience to find the open man.
Beyond that, it’s a team that has chemistry.
“Our guys really like each other and get along so well,” Williams said. “They’re easy to coach. Most teenagers are not easy to coach these days. It’s difficult. It’s not easy. But this group is easy to coach. There’s not a lot of yelling and screaming. I have smart kids who aren’t just good on the court, but they’re good academically and they don’t get into a lot of nonsense. When you can coach just basketball and not have to worry about the nonsense, that makes the season easier.”
What to know: Julian Pagan, whoplayed in 20 games for West last year as a freshman, suffered a major knee injury during a practice and will be out for the entire season. “That’s going to hurt us because he was going to be our starting two-guard,” Williams said. “Hewent up for a layup and his leg collapsed and it was one of the toughest things I’ve ever seen. We’re going to miss him because he handled the ball well and shoots well and was a good complementary piece for us. But he’ll work hard to get back and he’ll be back next year. Without him, our lineup will need some patchwork.”
The burning desire: Williams didn’t flinch when asked. “It’s to restore order up here,” he said, referring to the Monroe County or Mountain Division of the EPC.
“It has been three years since we won a district championship in 2017. Since then East Stroudsburg South has won the division twice and Pocono Mountain East won it once. We told the guys at the start of our first practice that we’re starting operation ‘Restore Order.’ We want to get back on top.”
Conquering the coronavirus: ”I give my guys a lot of credit,” Williams said. “Quindell Brice, who played here and at East
Stroudsburg University for Jeff Wilson, learned all about this thing online where you earn a certain amount of points if you send a lifting video or a ball handling video. Through that, the guys stayed together in a team concept. They tried really hard to stay on top of things. When things lightened up a little, they got outside and did some things, whatever their parents would allow. But COVID-19 really impacted their everyday lives.
We have kids who really need to be in school and the structure and discipline. Wewere virtual at the end of the last school year and at the beginning of this year, and lately they were given a hybrid option where they can come in two days a week.”
The final word: “We have a lot of pride and culture and tradition up here,” Williams said, noting that the Panthers have made it to the district tournament 18 consecutive seasons or ever since the school opened up in 2002. “A lot of people have worked really hard to create it, starting with Coach [Brad] Pensyl who built it from the ground up. We’ve done a good job with what we’ve had the last three years. But this is a year I am hoping and praying we get to play. We’ve played these guys as sophomores and juniors in preparation for this year. This is the year we’ve been waiting for. We have our fingers crossed.”