The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Basketball
faces on the sidelines. Dana “Binky” Johnson takes over as coach for the Eagles, Chris Monahan the Cardinals and Sean Feeley the Golden Bears. Archbishop Carroll Coach: Paul Romanczuk (15th year) Last year: 20-9 overall, 7-6 league, State Quarterfinals Key returnees: Justin Anderson, Keyon Butler, Devon Ferrero, Luke House, Shawn Johnson, AJ Hoggard Outlook: “Our team is talented and experienced at the guard position and they will certainly lead us. I think our biggest key to success will be how we defend and rebound. We do not possess size on the frontline but we have good overall team size and versatility both defensively and offensively. Our league will certainly be very difficult however I believe we can be a success yet again if we are blessed with good health and our leadership develops.” Dock Mennonite Coach: Mike Fergus (41st year) Last year: 16-11 overall, 11-6 league, District finalist, State qualifier Players to watch: Misrahim Nyagwegwe, Jackson Scialanca, Nolan Bolton, Caleb Pfleiger Outlook: “Dock returns a solid nucleus, with three three-year starters and playoff experience. Solid players up from successful JV should add depth and size.” Germantown Academy Coach: Jim Fenerty (29th year) Last year: 22-7 overall, 8-2 league, Inter-Ac champs, Private School State Playoffs Final Four Players to watch: Brian Basile, Jordan Keys, Colten Smith Outlook: “Climbing the mountain carries with it some bumps along the way but when you reach the Mountain Top, the view is even better. We are an extremely young team but there is talent and great attitudes. We have a very difficult pre-season schedule that will be followed by a very talented and experienced group of teams in the Inter-Ac. Our goal is to get better each day” Hatboro-Horsham Coach: Ed Enoch (4th year) Last year: 12 -10 overall, 8-6 league Players to watch: Chris Edwards, Kyle Hogan, Eric Dixon, Solomon McNair Outlook: “We will have to make up for the scoring we lost to graduation. We will have to improve defensively, rebound
Joe Dempsey (15th year) Last year: 11-12 overall, 5-8 league Players to watch: Zach Crisler, Allen Powell, Sean Simon, Konrad Kiszka Outlook: “We only graduated two seniors from last year’s team. In theory we have a lot of experience returning. Talent won’t be our issue. We will work on making our guys mentally and physically tough, as well as helping them to understand how important our culture and our chemistry are to our team. If we can learn from our non-league schedule, and carry those lessons with us, we can win our share of games and see where that takes us.” Lansdale Catholic Coach: Joe Corbett (3rd year) Last year: 10-12 overall, 3-10 league Players to watch: Jack Kusters, Luke Godzieba Methacton Coach: Jeff Derstine (8th year) Last year’s record: 12-12 overall, 9-4 league, PAC playoffs, District playoffs Players to watch: Noah Kitaw, David Duda, Jeff Woodward Outlook: “The 2017-2018 Methacton Warriors are a young and hungry group of players. Despite losing eight seniors to graduation, this team has worked hard throughout the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season. The trio of David Duda, Jeff Woodward, and Noah Kitaw gained valuable experience last season and look to provide strong leadership this season. Additionally, there is a strong group of newcomers looking to build on their JV success from last season. As always, we expect the PAC to be very tough and we look forward to challenge of a competing against strong competition all season long.” North Penn Coach: John Conrad (7th year) Last year: 21-7 overall, 13-1 league Players to watch: Chris Coleman, AJ Mitchell, Joey Lindsay, AJ Catanzaro Outlook: “We hope to be in a position to compete for the conference title and earn a spot in the district playoffs. Replacing 9 seniors will be a challenge.” Pennridge Coach: Dean Behrens (20th year) Last year: 11-12, lost to Downingtown West in first round of districts Players to watch: Sean Yoder, Jon Post, Tyrese Lewis-Eutsey Outlook: Defense and rebounding
Team chemistry, limit turnovers, limit opponents to one shot per possession, solid defense, and consistent foul shooting – looking for players to add depth to our team. Looking for players to step up and earn varsity minutes. Perkiomen Valley Coach: Michael Poysden (6th year) Last year: 23-7 overall, 11-2 league, PAC champs, District playoffs, State qualifier Players to watch: Andrew Light, Tyler Strechay, Dante Graves Outlook: “This years team is looking forward to working hard and meeting the challenge of constant improvement. Graduating three starters who have started for three straight years normally would be a large deficit to overcome, however in both the junior and freshman class there is a considerable depth of talent. Senior leadership in Bernabe, Graves, Light, and Parke as well as the experience gained last year by Strechay will be an integral part of our success. The PAC this year looks to be highly competitive where on any given night either team can win. This should make for an exciting season where every game will have playoff implications.” Plymouth Whitemarsh Coach: Jim Donofrio (20th year) Last year: 25-6 overall, 14-0 league, Suburban One League American Champs, Suburban One League runner-up, District semifinals, State quarterfinals Players to watch: Ahmin Williams, Ahmad Williams, Ish Horn, Naheem McLeod, Danny Cooper, Alan Glover Outlook: “We return a number of experienced players and have our goals set to compete for league, district, and state titles.” Pope John Paul II Coach: Matt Rafferty (2nd year) Last year: 3-19 overall, 0-13 league Players to watch: Aidan Carthy, Daniel Cirino, Ricky Bearden, Vincent Viney, Luke Roth, Matthew Cressman, Matthew Delaurentis, Julien Andrews, Joey Catalano, Shane McConnell, Colt Narciso. Outlook: “We are competing every day to win the day. Whether it is in practice or a game, our sole focus is to win the day. We know the league will not be easy because of the great coaching and talented teams that the PAC has.” Souderton Coach: Timothy Brown (2nd year) Last year: league Players to watch: Tomas 9-13 overall, 5-7 Hanrahan, Trevor Watts Outlook: Souderton will rely on its defense as it tries to be competitive night in and night out. Upper Dublin Coach: Chris Monahan (1st year) Last year: 4-18overall, 3-11league Players to watch: Nyjee Scott, Cory Stover, Mike Ryan, Ian McGonagle, Ryan Besachio, Corby Watkins, Joey Ryan Outlook: “We expect this team to train hard everyday in practice and compete hard everyday in practice. Our success will depend on how well we can defend and rebound the ball.” Upper Merion Coach: Jason Quenzer (5th year) Last year: 17-12 overall, PAC Final Four, District 1 finals, State Qualifier Players to watch: Austin Moucer, TyJay Shepherd, Matt Choi, Chris Clark, Nick Shepperd, Lukas Kim Outlook: “After a nice season, making it to the 5A district finals and the second round of the 5A state playoffs, the Vikings graduate all of their minutes from last year. This crew is composed of a young nucleus but there are some talented, hard working, senior leaders that will allow this team to compete on a night in/night out basis. The more game experience that these guys get, the more they will grow up and gel.” Upper Moreland Coach: Sean Feeley (1st year) Last year: 12-11 overall, 6-8 league, District 1 qualifier Players to watch: Ryan Coyle, Jake Villanueva, Brett Brossman, Christian O’Donnell Outlook: “We look forward to playing very hard and having intensity night in and night out and doing the little things well.” Wissahickon Coach: Kyle Wilson (19th year) Last year: 15-12, 10-4 league, District quarterfinals, State qualifier Players to watch: Zach Reiner, Max Rapoport, Eddie Fortescue, Anthony Lawrence, Donovan Oliphant Outlook: “Although considerable losses occurred in the lineup, this group hopes to compete for league title, and return to district and states. Seniors Zach Reiner and Max Rapoport have been starters since their sophomore year, and they bring leadership that few teams can match. Eddie Fortescue and Anthony Lawrence are two hungry players that saw some time on the floor last year, and they are ready to make considerable contributions. It should be an exciting season.”