Basketball

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19.2 points per game last year and made 59 3s. East Stroudsburg North senior Bryceson Dobie: A third-team all-EPC selection last season, is a dynamic scorer. He is the son of a New York City basketball legend, Antawn Dobie, according to the Pocono Record, and is looking to lead the Timberwolves to EPC and District 11 playoff berths.

Pocono Mountain West sophomore KJ Coles:

A Morning Call rookie of the year last season, Coles does it all for the Panthers. Last season, he scored 389 points and tied the school record for 3-pointers in a season with 68. He made 34.5% of his 3-point shots and was 84.9% at the foul line and averaged three rebounds and two assists per game. He will join with Adrian Brito in forming a potent one-two punch for Pocono West.

Pocono Mountain East senior Taemus Jones: In a win over Delaware Valley, Jones scored 40 points. He averaged 12 points last year but was limited to just 17 games.

3 questions to answer

Can Pocono Mountain West return to league and district title games as it did last year and this time win them?

Can Jaen Chatman get help at East Stroudsburg South and lead the Cavaliers to another district gold?

Can Pocono Mountain East, off to a 2-0 start, sustain the early season momentum and challenge for the division title and EPC tourney berth?

2 league openers to see

The EPC begins Wednesday night with Pocono Mountain West at East Stroudsburg South and Stroudsburg at Pocono Mountain East.

1 man’s opinion

How the division will finish: 1. Pocono Mountain West; 2. East Stroudsburg South; 3, Stroudsburg; 4. Pocono Mountain East; 5. East Stroudsburg North; 6. Pleasant Valley.

East Stroudsburg North Coach: Denzal McKenzie (third season,

20-25)

Last season: 11-12, 7-9 EPC. Lost to Whitehall 60-48 in the District 11 5A tournament Players to watch: Nate Wilder (6-2, Sr. G); Bryceson Dobie (6-0, Sr. G); Piot Drozd (5-11, Jr. G); Bernard Bowen (5-7, Jr. G) Outlook: The Timberwolves continue to make strides, going from one win in the pandemic-plagued 2020-21 season to nine wins two seasons ago to 11 last season. They figure to push above .500 this season with Wilder and Dobie, who combined for more than 35 points per game last season, leading the way. McKenzie is concerned about an overall lack of experience, but said he has a team with excellent guard play and guys who will attack the rim while playing unselfishly.

East Stroudsburg South Coach:

Shawn Munford (12th season, 146-111)

Last season: 19-7, 11-5 EPC. Lost to Pocono Mountain West 71-63 in the EPC tournament. Beat Southern Lehigh 61-54, beat Pocono Mountain West 43-34 in the District 11 5A tournament. Lost to West Chester East 52-47 in the PIAA 5A tournament

This season: 0-1, lost to Williams Valley Players to watch: Jaen Chatman (6-1, Jr. G); Shane Plante-King (6-0, Jr. G); Danute Williams (6-0, Sr. G); Xavier Pierre (6-2, Jr. F).

Outlook: Chatman, who averaged 19.2 points per game last season and made 59 3-pointers, is a special talent and Munford is a quality coach who always makes his teams get better as the season goes along and has two District 11 titles on his resume. But he’s got some work to do this year. “Since I’ve taken over, this is probably the newest team we’ve had,” he said, noting the loss of nine seniors. “We don’t have too many returners, but I have some young guys who I am looking forward to seeing if they’re ready and able to compete at this level.”

Pleasant Valley

Coach: Bob Hahn (6th season, 26-72) Last season: 10-11, 7-9 EPC

This season: 1-1, beat Bangor, lost to Dieruff Players to watch: Sean Hallenbeck (6-0, Sr., G); Zachary Pandolfo (6-3, Sr. F); Zachary Prator (6-4, Jr. F); Jereal “JJ” Moore (6-1, Jr. G).

Outlook: The Bears lost many key players and its leading scorer from last season in Jarod Moore. Hahn said that while it is never easy replacing almost 20 points a game, the Bears look to have a more balanced approach this season. Currently without 2 starters due to injuries, they hope to remain competitive until they are at full force in late December when their players return. According to Hahn, PV has a very dedicated group of players who work hard and are very competitive. They look forward to the challenge of a competitive division where Hahn said any team could finish first or last.

Pocono Mountain East

Coach: Mark Dudley (9th season, 50-114) Last season: 4-18, 1-15 EPC