Dazzling dozen
6 of those standouts are scoring at least 20 points per game
The regular season is in the books, but the biggest stars in area boys basketball still have another platform on which to shine.
It’s the District 11 tournament, and everyone on Lehigh Valley-area teams wants to get to PPL Center, where four boys title games will be held next week.
The unusual shooting backdrop at the downtown Allentown arena could throw off many high school players, who are used to playing in much smaller high school gyms all season. But the leading scorers in this 2020-21 season are not likely to be bothered by backdrops or anything else as they try to keep their seasons alive and go for the gold.
Here’s a look at the top 12 in area scoring:
Christian Fermin, Poc. Mt. West, 1 7.4 ppg
The Division I recruit is primarily known as a defensive standout but has picked up the pace offensively as the Panthers closed the regular season with three straight wins to earn the No. 1 seed in the District 11 6A bracket.
Fans allowed to come to the 6A semifinals at PPL Center Monday will finally get a look at one of the area’s best players.
Jahkai Barnes, Stroudsburg, 1 7.6 ppg
Barnes was the top scorer in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s Monroe County Division. He made 18 3-pointers, and as a team the Mountaineers had a division-best 62 treys, which will make them dangerous as the No. 5 seed in the District 11 6A bracket.
Chris Hewey, Easton, 1 7.7 ppg
It is hardly earthshaking news in this era of the coronarvirus pandemic, but it is still heartbreaking when teams get shut down and kids are deprived of doing what they love to do.
It’s not the way seven Easton seniors wanted to go out, especially a quality leader and all-around player like Chris Hewey, who has meant so much to the Red Rovers program.
Edixon Gomez, Bethlehem Catholic, 1 8 .1 ppg
Gomez, a junior, who didn’t play last year due to an ACL injury, enjoyed playing against Freedom, scoring 27 points in one game and 17 in another. His season high was 31 points against Notre Dame on Jan. 9. He also had a memorable 23-point effort in a win over Allen on Feb. 12.
Derek Troxell, Catasauqua, 19.2 ppg
Few players approaching 1,000 points received more support than Troxell, who fought through a torn labrum and attained the milestone last week against Pen Argyl. He did it with a 3-pointer in the first quarter.
It is clear he’s popular with his teammates and even rivals from around the Colonial League. His career will end with Catty’s next loss, although he plans to play baseball before going to Penn State’s main campus.
Isaac Harris, Northampton, 19.7 ppg
Harris has not scored fewer than 12 points in any game this season. His season high is 28 against Easton on Jan. 28. His cousin, Lucas Lesko, is Northampton’s second-leading scorer with 15.3 points per game. Both are juniors, meaning the Konkrete Kids will be a title contender again in 2021-22.
Kody Kratzer, Palmerton, 20.3 ppg
A repeat Colonial League firstteam all-star and a unanimous selection, Kratzer has been a fixture for the Blue Bombers for four seasons. He is hopeful his team can get past Catasauqua in the District 11 3A quarterfinals and get a rematch against Notre Dame in the semifinals.
Na’Shawn Jones, Wilson, 20.4 ppg
Jones said he can play any position and wants to get better at all in time for his senior season in 202122. He scored a season-low nine points in a 71-47 loss to Bangor in the Colonial League quarterfinals but vowed the Warriors can pull some surprises in the upcoming District 11 4A tournament.
Jevin Muniz, Executive Education, 2 1 .7 ppg
Muniz has deferred to teammates such as Jalil Schenck, Kobe Magee and Jeremiah Bembry in recent games, but make no mistake: He is one of the area’s best offensive players and will play a pivotal role if the Raptors win a third straight district title and first at the 3A level.
Aaron Bailey, Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg, 2 5 .9 ppg
Bailey has not scored fewer than 21 points in any game this season and has had three games of 31 or more, including a 39-point performance against Lincoln Leadership in a 90-70 win.
He will play a key role in Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg’s quest for the district title. But Schuylkill League champ and defending district champ Pottsville Nativity will be a major obstacle.
CJ Miles, Bangor, 2 6 .1 ppg
Miles reached 1,000 points at the foul line in the closing seconds of the Colonial League championship game. Miles has evolved into the ultimate team player and leader, and he would like one more championship opportunity in the District 11 5A tournament.
Brendan Boyle, Notre Dame, 26.6 ppg
Boyle had the most remarkable individual performance of the season against Palmerton in the Colonial League tournament when he made nine 3-pointers and set a school record with 42 points. But there’s no question he would trade the 42-point game in the blink of an eye for a league championship.
Now he’ll have to wait until next winter.