PIONEER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

(In order of projected division finish)

PAC Liberty Division METHACTON

Head Coach: Pat Lockard, 2nd season

Last Year’s Record: 11-7 overall, 9-5 PAC, 6-2 Liberty (District 1-6A second round)

Players to Watch: Cole Hargrove, Sr., F/C; Brett Byrne, Sr., G; Matt Christian, Jr., G; Colin Meyer, Sr., F

Outlook: The Warriors had a three-year PAC title streak and 30-game PAC win streak snapped last season, but remained amongst the top teams in the league and came a few possessions away from a third straight District 1-6A quarterfinal trip last season. Seniors Brett Byrne (13.3 ppg) and Cole Hargrove (12.1 ppg) are two of just three All-Area first and second teamers back from a year ago, while junior sharpshooter Matt Christian returns from last year’s rotation and senior Colin Meyer brings some more experience from last year’s team. The Warriors had the league’s best defense (41.6 ppg), but were mediocre on the offensive end (51.3 ppg). With two of the best players in the league, the Warriors should be one of the favorites again in the PAC, and if a few others break out this group has the chance to make some noise in the postseason.

Coach’s Thoughts: “Hargrove and Byrne’s experience will be critical in helping the rest of the team gain confidence,” Pat Lockard said. “We were a very strong defensive team last year and anticipate to use that as a position of strength this season. We are hoping that having an actual offseason and preseason this year will have given our guys the opportunity to gel and come together as a team. We have strong leadership and are hoping that helps carry us to success.”

SPRING-FORD Head Coach: Joe Dempsey, first season Last Year’s Record: 6-7 overall, 6-7 PAC, 2-6

Liberty

Players to Watch: Jake Kressley, Sr., F; Gavin Schauder, Sr., F; Cole Turner, Sr., G; Caleb Little, Jr., G; Alex Lewis, Jr., G; E.J. Campbell, So., G; Jacob Nguyen, Fr., G Outlook: The Rams missed the District 1 playoffs for the first time since 2013 last season, a buzzer beater-loss in their final game keeping them out of the postseason. This year’s group has the chance to put the Rams back in the postseason as well as compete for a league title. Spring-Ford is one of the biggest teams in the league with senior forwards Gavin Schauder (7.1 ppg) and Jake Kressley (5.5 ppg), who measure 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-4, respectively. Depth and athleticism will be two more strengths for first-year coach Joe Dempsey with the return of players like Cole Turner (6 ppg) and Alex Lewis (4 ppg) and the addition of others, including freshman Jacob Nguyen. Coach’s Thoughts: “We want to make sure that we concentrate on the defensive end of the floor, and not give up unguarded threes,” Dempsey said. “Also, taking good shots is a priority. … Some returning experience and youth will hopefully make us competitive.”

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Head Coach: Michael Poysden, 10th season Last Year’s Record: 12-4 overall, 11-3 PAC, 7-1 Liberty (District 1-6A quarterfinals) Players to Watch: Dawson Debebe, Sr., G/F;

Ethan Kohler, Sr., F; Josh Pelzer, Sr., G/F; Vance Sadler, Sr., G; Alex Martinez, Sr., F; Luke Hansen, Jr., G; Danny Koehler, Jr., G; Shane Nelson, Jr., G/F; Morgan McKinney, Jr., F; JT Brady, Jr., G; Jackson Bender, Jr., G; Julian Sadler, So., G/F

Outlook: The Vikings must replace their three leading scorers from last season’s Liberty Division champion and District 1-6A quarterfinalist. Seniors Ethan Kohler and Dawson Debebe are the veterans of the group, while classmates Josh Pelzer and Vance Sadler are two others who saw varsity minutes a season ago expected to see their minutes significantly enhanced this season. Look for PV to be a balanced group this year with several others, including sophomore Julian Sadler helping the cause. Though they don’t enter the season as the favorites, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see the Vikings click and once again compete for a league title.

Coach’s Thoughts: “This year’s Vikings will return considerable size and athleticism,” coach Michael Poysden said. “We have challenged ourselves with a difficult out of league schedule and expect to be competitive in every game as long as we continue to work hard and together towards our potential. … Our players’ work ethic and commitment to playing together as a unit is special. We have depth in many spots and expect to play a deeper rotation than in years past.”

NORRISTOWN

Head Coach: Dana Johnson, fourth season

Last Year’s Record: Did not play

Players to Watch: DJ Johnson, Sr., G; John DiNolfi, Sr., F; Zaki Gomez, Sr., G; Gregory Mobley, Sr., G

Outlook: The Eagles did not play last season due to COVID policies in the district, so 2021-22 will be the first time in two years Norristown squares off against the PAC. Seniors DJ Johnson, Zaki Gomez and John DiNolfi saw limited action as sophomores in 2019-20, but the rest of the group will be getting its first taste of varsity action this season. There isn’t a whole lot to go on, but the Eagles have been in the league postseason in all but one season since joining the PAC, including two Liberty Division titles, so there’s no reason to think they won’t be in the mix with the rest of the division powers once again.

BOYERTOWN

Head Coach: Travis Miller, first season

Last Year’s Record: 10-6 overall, 9-5 PAC, 3-5 Liberty (District 1-6A second round)

Players to Watch: Jake Kapp, Jr., Wing; Zach Ward, Jr., wing; Roman Marinello, Sr., G; Eddie Higgins, Sr.

Outlook: The Bears are coming off their best two seasons in more than a decade, but have five starters to replace. A preseason injury to senior Griffin Hummel (4.1 ppg) will make things more difficult, but junior wings Jake Kapp (3.9 ppg) and Zach Ward have the potential for breakout seasons, while seniors Roman Marinello, Ed Higgins and others bring toughness and experience. It’s hard to see this group matching the success of last year’s squad, which sent four players to the college level, but don’t expect the Bears to fade away as they should be in contention for a league and District 1 playoff spot once again.

Coach’s Thoughts: “It’s not a ton of varsity experience, so these guys are going to have to learn quick, and they’re going to have to battle,” Miller said. “But I think we have some tough senior leaders mixed in with some really solid basketball players in our junior class, and they’re ready to go compete. … If we come together and battle for each other, I think we’re going to have a solid season.”

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Head Coach: Ben Condello, first season

Last Year’s Record: 5-9 overall, 5-9 PAC, 2-7 Liberty

Players to Watch: Luke Fryer, So.; Jake Bolyn, Jr.; Tyler Rossi, Jr.; Tristan Dietrich, Jr.; Colin Simpson, Sr.; Jack Cashman, So.

Outlook: The Wildcats certainly have a tough senior class to replace but a returning backcourt of sophomore Luke Fryer (10.6 ppg) and junior sharpshooter Jake Bolyn (9.6 ppg, 33 threes) should make this team competitive in the league once again. OJR took league champ, Pope John Paul II, down to the wire in its lone matchup late last season before finishing with a buzzerbeater win over Spring-Ford — OJR’s first win over the Rams since 2014-15. First-year coach Ben Condello will hope to ride that momentum into 2021-22.

Coach’s Thoughts: “The PAC is filled with so many great coaches/players, you can never get too high or low because there is always a new obstacle you have to face,” Condello said. “Every night is a challenge and our approach is to take everything one opportunity at a time. We have a mix of guys who played a lot of varsity last year and some that are new to the process. The leadership of the returning guys has been tremendous and we will need that every single day.”

PAC Frontier Division POPE JOHN PAUL II

Head Coach: Brendan Stanton, fourth season

Last Year’s Record: 16-2 overall, 14-1 PAC, 10-0 Frontier (PAC champion, District 1-4A champion, PIAA-4A first round)

Players to Watch: Kevin Green, Sr. Guard; J.P. Baron, Sr., G; Jaden Workman, Sr. G; Trey Rogers, Jr., G; Luke Sykes, Sr. G; Dylan Russ, Sr., F; Aidan O’Brien, Sr. F; Chase Mondillo, So. G

Outlook: The Golden Panthers won their first league championship since the program’s first year of existence and won a second straight District 1-4A title before falling in the opening round of the PIAA tournament. PJP has back three starters in all-league players J.P. Baron (10.9 ppg), Kevin Green (10.6 ppg) and Jaden Workman (6.8 ppg), which position them as the Frontier favorites and contenders in the league. The Panthers are extremely undersized with Dylan Russ and Aidan O’Brien (both 6-feet tall) as the primary bigs, and even 5-foot-9 guard Luke Sykes guarding the post at times. Their shooting and chemistry will have to balance that.

Coach’s Thoughts: “We have a good mix of established starters and players who are hungry to show what they can do at the varsity level,” coach Brendan Stanton said. “The strength of our team is our guard play. Even with limited size we believe we have the talent to compete with anyone and be playing basketball into March. In order for that to happen we need our seniors to lead and everyone to bring toughness night in and night out.”

PHOENIXVILLE

Head Coach: Eric Burnett, 8th season Last Year’s Record: 11-6 overall, 10-5 PAC, 8-2 Frontier (District 1-5A semifinals)

Players to Watch: Zavier Mayo, Sr., G/F; Jackson Kuranda, Sr., G; Gabe Massenburg, Sr., C; Max Lebisky, So., F; Jake Stec, Sr., PG; Chase McDonnell, Sr., G; Justin English, Sr., G; Gain Matta, Sr., C; Zach Bruni, Sr., G; Zach Pekofsky, Sr., F; Zahaire Savage, Sr., G; Ben Smith, Sr., G; Aidan McClintock, So., F

Outlook: Last season, the Phantoms broke through for their first district win since 2016, advancing to the semifinals following a first-round bye. Another senior-laden group will hope to replicate those results and do some damage in the league. Phoenixville has played second-fiddle to PJP in the Frontier Division over the past two seasons, and led by returnees Zavier Mayo (10 ppg) and Jackson Kuranda (4.1 ppg) along with others back with the program like 6-foot-6 forward Gabe Massenburg, the Phantoms should once again be the top rivals to the Golden Panthers in the smallschool division and position themselves well for the Class 5A playoffs.

Coach’s Thoughts: “After losing eight seniors in 2020, this Phantoms team now features 11 seniors who have played through the program since middle school,” coach Eric Burnett said. “They are a very hard-working and tight-knit group who understand their roles and what it takes to win. With a talented 2020 class who led us to the District 1-5A semifinals, this 2021 class is limited in terms of varsity experience. However, with a few key returners and several players who have put in great work in the off-season, we are very excited about this season.”

UPPER MERION

Head Coach: Jason Quenzer, 8th season Last Year’s Record: 8-8 overall, 8-7 PAC, 5-5 Frontier (District 1-5A first round) Players to Watch: Ty Jones, Sr., G; Kalil Lawson, Sr., F; Madison Tatom, Jr., G Outlook: While last year’s leading scorer Collin Bowman (15.1 ppg) is now at Friends’ Central, the Vikings have plenty back from last season’s district playoff squad in junior Madison Tatom (10.9 ppg) and senior Ty Jones (9.3 ppg). Senior forward

Kalil Lawson (4 ppg) has the talent to be an impact player in an expanded role. Upper Merion will be undersized, but the Vikings have won several games against the PAC’s big school division over the past two seasons despite playing guard-heavy lineups. Upper Merion should be in the mix for a league playoff spot again and a dark horse in the Frontier. The Vikings are looking to break through in districts after three straight first-round exits.

Coach’s Thoughts: “The team has a tough schedule of league and non-league opponents that will challenge us to bring our best on a nightly basis,” coach Jason Quenzer said. “We are a very guard-heavy team with a lot of toughness and quickness from our 1-5, down the roster. Every team wants to defend but it is our main priority this year. … We want to continue our district playoff streak but we want to break the trend of being knocked out in the first round. That starts with winning our division.”

POTTSTOWN

Head Coach: Ken Ivory, first season (served as interim head coach 2016-2017 season) Last Year’s Record: 5-9 overall, 5-9 PAC, 5-5 Frontier

Players to Watch: Gage Sibley, Sr., PG; Terryce Phillips, Jr., F; Rashean Bostic, Jr., G;

Ty-Elliot-More, Jr., G; Isaiah Augusto, Sr., G Outlook: The Trojans graduated most their scoring from a season ago but springy junior forward Terryce Phillips (6.9 ppg) showed flashes in eight games and junior guard Rashean Bostic (2.4 ppg) has a good looking stroke, while senior point guard Gage Sibley will take over the reins of the offense. Pottstown finished 5-5 in the PAC Frontier for the second straight season in 2021 and figures to be in the middle of the pack in the division once again. Winning a few of the close games they’ve been on the wrong side of against some of the bigger schools could push them closer to a PAC playoff berth — something the program hasn’t accomplished since 2011-12. Coach’s Thoughts: “Our team wants to be an elite defensive group,” first-year coach Ken Ivory said. “Our goal is simple. Compete for both a division and league title, and earn a district playoff berth. … We only return three players who saw the floor as varsity players so there are a lot of unknowns, but our kids have been working hard to pick up our system, and I’m excited to see us compete.”

POTTSGROVE

Head Coach: Scott Palladino, first season (previously coached Falcons from 20062016)

Last Year’s Record: 2-13 overall, 2-13 PAC, 2-8 Frontier

Players to Watch: Manny Allen, Sr., PG; J.R. McMenamin, Sr., G; Marlon Glaze, Sr., F; Gabe Rinda, So., G/F; Jeremy Thompson, Sr., G

Outlook: After five seasons away, including the past three coaching at crosstown rival Pottstown, Scott Palladino returns to his alma mater. Seniors Manny Allen (7.1 ppg), John Ryan McMenamin (5.5 ppg) and Marlon Glaze give Palladino some experience to work with while sharpshooters Gabe Rinda and Jeremy Thompson will look to bolster the offense.

Coach’s Thoughts: “These guys aren’t used to winning, and it’s kind of teaching them how to win and doing the little things to get them on track because they’ve struggled the last two years,” Palladino said. “A lot of these guys that we’re relying on to play this year, they don’t have a lot of varsity experience, and they’re not used to winning. It’s teaching on the fly.”

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Head Coach: Michael DeCarolis, first season

Last Year’s Record: 0-15 overall, 0-15 PAC, 0-10 Frontier

Players to Watch: Nick Aron, Sr., G; Adam Shaak, Sr., G/F; Kyle Clancy, Sr., G/F

Outlook: Illness and injury put the Indians behind the ball in 2021, and they never quite recovered, finishing winless in league-only competition. The good news is Upper Perkiomen returns its top two scorers in Adam Shaak (7.6 ppg) and Nick Aron (6.0 ppg) and one of its top shooters Kyle Clancy (3.4 ppg). Having a non-league slate should help better prepare this team for the PAC as first-year coach Michael DeCarolis tries to give his 10 seniors a season to remember.

Coach’s Thoughts: “I want to make it something that’s really memorable for them,” DeCarolis said. These seniors, they do have a lot of experience, unfortunately they don’t have a lot of experience of winning. I really want to focus on what it takes to win a basketball game. … We’re kind of understanding the type of work and the type of mentality it’s going to take to kind of change the results we’ve had over the past couple years.”