SOL Boys’ Basketball District Preview (2-23-18)

Check out the preview capsules for the nine SOL boys’ basketball teams that will be in action in the District One Tournament this weekend. Check back for recaps.

Abington has gotten used to life at the top. This year’s SOL National Conference title is the sixth consecutive crown for the Ghosts, who have lost just two conference games in that span, and on a roster with some big-name players, it would be easy for Anwaar Berry to get lost in the shuffle.

That hasn’t happened.

The senior guard’s name might not show up regularly in box scores, but it’s pretty clear that Berry – who aspires to one day be a coach – has impressed his coach.

“He would be one I would bring on in a minute,” coach Charles Grasty said. “He’s great. He asks questions during practice.

“When we’re going through something – I’ll put an offense in, and he’ll add one more dimension to it. He’ll say, ‘Coach, what do you think of that pin down screen right after that?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s awesome,’ so we’ll put it in. He’s just a great kid. That’s why we made him a captain.”

Berry takes his role of captain and leader seriously.

“As captain, I just go all out all the time,” he said. “By doing that, it makes the starters and everyone who gets in better and ready for the game.”

Although Berry would jump at the chance to get more playing time, the senior guard points to the team’s success as the ultimate goal.

“Do you want to play more or do you want to win?” he said. “Basketball is a team sport. I’m playing for my team, so my playing in practice counts for them.”

Berry has been playing with some of his teammates since fourth grade when he began playing travel basketball with GYAC.

“Ever since then, we’ve all been bonded,” he said. “We know how each other plays, which makes the varsity level easier because we have that team chemistry that some teams don’t have.

“That means a lot because if you can’t play with your team then you’re going to try to do everything for yourself, and that’s not playing for the team. Basketball is a team sport.”

Berry’s passion for his sport is unmistakable.

“I love it,” he said. “I hope to be a coach one day. Just from watching the game and playing it and being taught, it’s had an impact on me, and more than that, it’s taught me leadership skills.”

He is hoping to attend West Chester University with his sights set on one day becoming a nurse.

“He’s a great kid to have in your program,” Grasty said. “They all love him. They treat each other like brothers.

“Anwaar’s the one that they go to if they need any type of advice. He’s just a program kid. I hate to say that because it’s so cliché, but he’s a kid I’d recommend for anything.”

The Ghosts, who have already clinched a state berth, will host seventh-seeded Norristown on Friday at 7 p.m. in a district quarterfinal game.

Class 6A

#8 UPPER DARBY at #1 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)

Plymouth Whitemarsh

25-0 overall
14-0 SOL American Conference champion for fifth consecutive year
Defeated #4 CB West 62-41 in SOL Tournament title game
Defeated #6 Pennridge 79-55 in SOL Tournament semifinals
No. 23 in the latest USA Today rankings
Winners of five consecutive SOL American Conference titles
Led by senior guards Ahmad and Ahmin Williams, Ish Horn and Danny Cooper, as well as senior forward Alan Glover and 7-foot-3 junior center Naheem McLeod
The Colonials have won 50 straight games at home

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round game, Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated #16 Bensalem 71-40, outscoring the Owls 44-18 in the second half. Naheem McLeod (19 points), Ish Horn (18), Alan Glover (12) and Ahmin Williams (11) all finished the game in double figures.
Opening round bye.

Upper Darby

17-7
11-5 Central League third place
Lost to Penncrest 52-39 in a Central League semifinal game
Regular season wins over #7 Norristown (75-43), #11 Spring-Ford (62-61), #14 Conestoga (60-57, 52-39) and #16 Bensalem (60-59) as well as Class 5A #1 Penncrest (48-44)
First trip to state tournament since 2013

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Mamdou Toure buried an outside jumper with one second remaining to propel Upper Darby to a 46-44 win over #24 Downingtown West. Jalun Trent’s 11 points led Upper Darby.
Opening round bye

#7 NORRISTOWN at #2 ABINGTON (Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)
Abington

19-5 overall
12-0 SOL National Conference champion
Defending District One 6A champion
Lost to #4 CB West in SOL Tournament semifinals (with Eric Dixon sidelined), snapping a six-game win streak
Led by junior forward Eric Dixon (24.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg), senior point guard Robbie Heath (18.5 ppg) and junior G/F Lucas Monroe (13.1 ppg)
Heath (1,503 career points) and Dixon (1,468) are the third- and fourth-leading scorers in school history
The Ghosts are looking to capture their third district title in the last four seasons

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Abington upended #18 Neshaminy 71-41. Eric Dixon, who returned to the lineup after sitting out the SOL Tournament with an injury, led the Ghosts with 18 points. Robbie Heath added 12 and JP Nolan and Lucas Monroe (6 assists) each added 11 points.
Opening round bye

Norristown

17-7 overall
8-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division regular season champions
Fell to Spring-Ford 44-43 in overtime in a PAC semifinal contest.
Eagles average 53.3 points a game while allowing 46.2
Balanced attack features Mikeel Allen (12.6 ppg), Vernon Tubbs (11.8 ppg), Tyler Lyons (8.7 ppg), Marcus Sanford (7.3 ppg) and Darius Hopewell (6.5 ppg)
Regular season wins over #11 Spring-Ford (62-39, 81-78) and #13 Owen J Roberts (52-46, 40-34)
Split regular season series with #10 Methacton (55-56, 50-38) and #23 Perkiomen Valley (45-36, 33-47).

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Norristown defeated #23 Perkiomen Valley 50-41. Darius Hopewell and Marcus Sanford both scored 12 while Vernon Tubbs and Mikeel Allen each added 10.
Opening round bye

#5 COATESVILLE at #4 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)
Central Bucks West

20-5 overall
10-2 SOL Continental Conference champion
Lost to #1 PW 62-41 in SOL Tournament title game
Defeated #2 Abington 53-43 in SOL Tournament semifinals
Led by senior G/F Collin MacAdams (14.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg), senior G Shane McCusker (8.9 ppg), senior F Jake Reichwein (8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and junior G Jack Mulhearn (7.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg)
Bucks have won 12 of their last 13 games

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Central Bucks West opened up a 24-8 lead after one quarter and went on to defeat #20 Central Bucks East 64-55. Jack Mulhearn led the Bucks with 17 points while Jack Neri, Jake Reichwein and Shane McCusker each added 11 points.
Opening round bye

Coatesville

20-5 overall
10-2 Ches-Mont National Division regular season co-champions with Bishop Shanahan
Fell to Bishop Shanahan 60-58 in the Ches-Mont title game.
Led by Jhamir Brickus (19.5 ppg) and Dapree Bryant (9.1 ppg)

How they got here: In second round action Tuesday, Central Bucks West defeated #12 Downingtown East 63-44. Jhamir Brickus led the Red Raiders with 15 points. The Raiders connected on 17-of-23 at the foul line.
Opening round bye.

#1-6 PENNRIDGE at #1-3 LOWER MERION (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Pennridge

18-6 overall
9-3 SOL Continental, second place
Lost to #1 PW 79-55 in SOL Tournament semifinals
Led by junior G Sean Yoder (16.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg), senior F Tyrese Lewis (11.0 ppg), junior PF/C Jonathan Post (11.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg), sophomore F Jake Pestrak, senior Mike Molettiere (leading three-point shooter)
Pennridge has won 11 of its last 13 games

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Pennridge edged #20 North Penn 43-41. Guards Sean Yoder (13 points) and Ryan Warner (12 points) led the Rams.
Opening round bye

Lower Merion

21-4 overall
13-3 Central League second place
Defeated Penncrest 48-46 to win Central League title after defeating Garnet Valley 72-59 in the semifinals.
Eighth straight state berth is longest streak in District One 6A
Regular season wins over #8 Upper Darby (87-66, 55-44), #9 Garnet Valley (77-69, 75-68) and #18 Neshaminy (73-64) as well as Class 5A #1 Penncrest 67-59.

How they got here: In Tuesday’s opening round, Lower Merion defeated Central League rival Conestoga 76-69, avenging a pair of regular season losses to the Pioneers. Jack Forrest led five players in double figures with 23 points. Darryl Taylor (14 points), Steve Payne (14 points), Harrison Klevon (13 points) an Josh Martin 12 points, 11 rebounds) also came up big.
Opening round bye.

Playbacks

#1-16 BENSALEM at #1-24 DOWNINGTOWN WEST (Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)
Bensalem

15-9 overall
7-5 SOL National Conference, third place
Led by Ward Roberts (14.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 spg) and James Leible (11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Split two regular season meetings with #17 Pennsbury (51-49 win, 61-51 loss)
Regular season wins over #15 CB South (59-53), #18 Neshaminy (69-53) and #21 Penn Wood (49-42)

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Bensalem fell to #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh 71-40 after trailing by just five (27-22) at halftime. Ward Roberts led the Owls with 18 points.
In opening round action, Bensalem defeated 17^th-seeded Pennsbury 58-55 in overtime, thanks to a Kris Shields 3-pointer at the buzzer of OT. Shields scored a game-high 22 points while Ward Roberts (14 points) and James Leible (11 points) also finished in double figures. The Owls connected on 16-of-20 from the foul line.

Downingtown West

12-12 overall
6-6 Ches-mont National Division fourth place
Led offensively by 6-7 Greg Barton (10.6 ppg) and Will Howard (9.4 ppg)
Split regular season series with #12 Downingtown East (48-43, 44-48)

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Downingtown West fell to #8 Upper Darby 46-44. Will Howard and Greg Barton both scored 10 points.
In the opening round, Downingtown West pulled off an upset of #9 Garnet Valley, earning a 49-40 win. Naseem Roberson led the way with 16 points. Will Howard controlled the backboards with 10 rebounds.

#1-22 NORTH PENN at #14 CONESTOGA (Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.)

North Penn
13-11 overall
6-6 SOL Continental, fourth place
Led by David Robinson (12.8 ppg), Chris Coleman (11.5 ppg) and AJ Mitchell (10.0 ppg)

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, North Penn fell to #6 Pennridge 43-41. David Robinson and Chris Coleman led the Knights with nine points each. AJ Mitchell added eight.
In an opening round game, North Penn rallied from a seven-point deficit with five minutes remaining to upset 11^th-seeded Spring-Ford 52-50. Chris Coleman (17 points), Joey Lindsay (16 points) and David Robinson (11 points) all finished the game in double figures. Robinson scored the go-ahead basket with a feed from Coleman.

Conestoga

16-8 overall
10-6 Central League
Regular season wins over #3 Lower Merion (62-57, 65-61) and #6 Pennridge (59-51).

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Conestoga fell to #3 Lower Merion 76-69. Milton Robinson led the way with 25 points. Also finishing in double figures were Zach Lezanic (13 points), Charlie Schappell (11) and Shane Scott (10 points).
In the opening round, Conestoga upset #14 Cheltenham 56-54 in overtime. Milton Robinson led the Pioneers with 18 points. Zach Lezanic added 13.

#20 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST at #12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST (Saturday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.)
Central Bucks East

13-11 overall
5-7 SOL Continental Conference, fifth place
Led by Kyle Cassidy (DeSales commit — 14.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Nick Roggio (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg)
Twelve of the team’s 13 wins have come when holding its opponent to 50 points or less.
Fourth trip to district playoffs in the last five years
Third time in as many years the Patriots advanced to the second round.

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Central Bucks East fell to #4 Central Bucks West 64-55. Jesse Rivera led the way with 16 points while Leo Masterson, Nick Roggio and Ben Masterson each had 10 points.
In an opening round contest, Central Bucks East upset #13 Owen J. Roberts, earning a 52-50 overtime win when Nick Roggio turned a pass from Jesse Rivera into the game winner. Roggio led the Patriots with 15 points while Kyle Cassidy added 13 points. Rivera had 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Downingtown East

16-8 overall
8-4 Ches-Mont National Division third place
Led offensively by Malik Slay (18.0 ppg) and Andrew King (12.0 ppg)
The Cougars, who have the most wins in program history, earned the program’s first district playoff win with their opening round win over Penn Wood.
Regular season win over #9 Garnet Valley (61-56). Split regular season series with #5 Coatesville (55-52, 63-76) and #24 Downingtown West (43-48, 48-44).

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Downingtown East fell to #5 Coatesville. Malik Slay led the Cougars with 22 points.
In an opening round game, Downingtown East defeated #21 Penn Wood 51-31. Senior Nate Robinson scored 12 of his career-high 15 points in the second half. Malik Slay added 14 points.

#1-23 PERKIOMEN VALLEY at #1-18 NESHAMINY (Friday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.)
Neshaminy

14-9 overall
7-5 SOL National Conference, tied third place
Led by Division-I recruit senior Chris Arcidiacono (25.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg), senior Anthony Papeo (10.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, D-III recruit), Danny Bodine (8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, D-III recruit) and senior Charles Dominick (8.0 ppg)
Redskins finished the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 2011
Arcidiacono, younger brother of former Villanova University star and current Chicago Bulls guard Ryan, reached the 1,000-point club earlier this season. He also scored a school-record 43 points in a 71-70 overtime win over Truman on Feb. 6.

How they got here: In Tuesday’s second round, Neshaminy fell to #2 Abington 71-41. Chris Arcidiacono (12 points) and Anthony Papeo (10 points) led the Redskins.
In an opening round game, Neshaminy edged 15^th-seeded Central Bucks South 50-47, staging a late rally for the come-from-behind win. Chris Arcidiacono led the ‘Skiins with 25 points, connecting on 15-of-16 from the foul line. Anthony Papeo added 10 and Charles Dominick had nine.

Perkiomen Valley

13-11 overall
4-6 Pioneer Athletic Conference
Led by Tyler Strechay (15.1 ppg) and Zach Krause (7.5 ppg). The duo combined for 76 threes with Krause accounting for 43 of those.
Split regular season series with #7 Norristown (47-33, 36-45), #10 Methacton (56-64, 67-64) and #13 Owen J Roberts (44-27, 47-29).

How they got here: In Wednesday’s second round, Perk Valley fell to #7 Norristown 50-41. Tyler Strechay (15 points) and Zach Krause (10 points) led the Vikings.
In an opening round game, Perk Valley downed #10 Methacton 56-46. Senior Kevin Benabe’s 18 points led the Vikings, and Zach Krause added 14 points.

Class 5A
#1-5 GREAT VALLEY at #4 WISSAHICKON (Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.)

Wissahickon

17-6 overall
11-3 SOL American Conference, second place
Led by senior G Max Rapoport (16.0 ppg), junior G Eddie Fortescue (15.0 ppg) and senior G/F Zach Reiner (11.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 7.0 apg)
Came closest to knocking off 24-0 Plymouth Whitemarsh on Dec. 22, falling by a score of 67-66

How they got here: In Wednesday’s opening round, Wissahickon defeated #13 Strath Haven 67-48. Zach Reiner led the Trojans with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He also had eight assists and five rebounds. Also finishing in double figures were Max Rapoport (13 points), Eddie Fortescue (12) and Anthony Lawrence (10).

Great Valley

17-6 overall
11-1 Ches-mont American Division regular season champions
Fell to Coatesville 69-62 in overtime in the Ches-Mont semifinals
Led offensively by Liam Ward (14.6 ppg), Nate Graeff (13.4 ppg), Matt Porreca (9.0 ppg) and Gavin Frankenheimer (8.2 ppg).
Regular season wins over #6 Sun Valley (40-36, 57-41) and #7 West Chester Rustin (45-44, 52-39) as well as Class 6A #24 Downingtown West (60-53)

How they got here: In Wednesday’s opening round, Great Valley – sparked by a 15-2 second-quarter run – defeated #12 Pottsgrove 42-39. Nate Graeff led the Patriots with a game-high 19 points.