By Scott Huff
The coveted invitations to the PIAA Quad-A District One dance have been given, and the musical chair competition that is the tournament will begin Friday.And when the music stops – the final four teams left standing in the respective brackets will be – drum roll, please – Chester, Neshaminy, Council Rock North, and Plymouth Whitemarsh. All four programs will rewarded for their challenging non-league schedules.
The Clippers will beat Bensalem to get to the final four; the Redskins will defeat Lower Merion; the Indians will best Norristown; and the Colonials will have to beat an extremely talented Penn Wood to make the final four.
Start the music.
District One Playoff Capsule Previews
#17 Springfield Delco Cougars (15-7) @ # 16 Cheltenham Panthers (14-8)
Springfield competes in the Central League – Cheltenham competes in the SOL American Conference
Record the last five games: Springfield – (3-2) & Cheltenham – (1-4).
Players to Watch: Cougars – Adam Washington, Matt Fox, and Zack Devito. Panthers – Nafis Walker, Jarrell Haywood, and Kyreek Best.
Cheltenham head coach Brian Johnson says – “Springfield is a tournament tested team that returns four starters that went to the final four in the 3A playoffs last year. They know what it is like to experience success in the post season. They play very disciplined and very hard. We have had a week to get ready, and I we have worked on the things that we need to do to win the basketball game.”
# 25 Upper Dublin (11-11) @ # 8 North Penn (18-4)
Upper Dublin competes in the SOL American Conference – North Penn competes in the SOL Continental Conference
Record the last five games: Upper Dublin – (1-4) & North Penn (5-0).
Players to Watch: Flying Cardinals – Khalil Owens, John Decamara, and Darrell Harrison. Knights – Matt Possanza, Sean Brooks, Janeus Somers.
Upper Dublin head coach Josh Adelman says - “I personally think this is going to be a great game between two quality teams. We both play in very competitive conferences, so I don’t think that either team will go into this game in awe of the other. North Penn is very disciplined and plays great defense, and they run very good sets on offense. We look at this game as a great challenge for our program.”
North Penn head coach Ron Hassler says – “Upper Dublin is a very unpredictable team and that makes them very dangerous. They have competed with Norristown and Plymouth Whitemarsh, and they have also beaten Pennridge. If they have it all together, they can be a very good opponent. We need to keep them out of their comfort zone.
#24 Strath Haven (14-8) @ # 9 Bensalem (17-5)
Strath Haven competes in the Central League – Bensalem competes in the SOL National Conference.
Record the last five games: Strath Haven – (1-4) & Bensalem (3-2)
Players to Watch: Strath Haven – Omar Randall, Chris Keenan, and Chazz Fisher. Owls – Calvin Brown, Leo Vincent, and Chris McMullin.
Bensalem head coach John Mullin says – “Strath Haven is a very deep basketball team with a lot of good players. We are going to have to work hard on our defensive assignments, and we have to be patient on offense and get good looks. This week of practice gave our guys a chance to refocus on what we have to do to be successful.”
# 28 Central Bucks East Patriots (11-11) @ # 5 Neshaminy Redskins (18-4)
Central Bucks East competes in the SOL Continental Conference. Neshaminy competes in the SOL National Conference.
Record the last five games: Central Bucks East – (2-3) & Neshaminy (3-2).
Players to Watch: Patriots – Ryan O’Neil, DJ Beausejour, and Steve Topley. Redskins – Ryan Arcidiacono, Michael McGarry, and Tyler Katz.
Central Bucks East head coach Erik Henrysen says – “We have worked very hard to get to this point in the season, and the players have earned a playoff spot. We are going into the game with the idea that we can shock people. Neshaminy is an excellent basketball team, and we are going to have to do everything right to beat them.”
Neshaminy head coach Jerry Devine says – “We spent all week breaking down what they do. East does a very good job of moving the ball, and their offense is based on timing. We want to pressure their guards defensively, and we want to be patient on offense and get good shots. We are ready for the playoffs.”
#21 Central Bucks West at #12 Glen Mills Bulls (15-7)
Central Bucks West competes in the SOL Continental Conference. Glen Mills competes in the Delaware Valley League.
Record the last five games: Central Bucks West - (3-2) & Glen Mills - (4-1).
Players to Watch: Bucks – Anthony Salvitti, Derek Dyer, and Kevin Sweet. Bulls – Stefron Poole, Raheem Harvey, and Devonte Glasper.
Central Bucks West head coach Adam Sherman says – “Glen Mills has great size inside with 6’9” Harvey and 6’4” Poole. They naturally rebound and block shots extremely well. It should be an exciting challenge for our team.”
# 31 Great Valley Patriots (11-11) @ # 2 Council Rock North Indians (21-1)
Great Valley competes in the Ches-Mont American Division. Council Rock North competes in the SOL National Conference.
Record the last five games: Great Valley – (2-3) & Council Rock North (5-0).
Players to Watch: Patriots – Shakore Grant, Tim Shackleton, and Brad Sherry. Rock North – Arron Goodman, Aaron Morgan, and Charlie Anastasi.
Council Rock North Derek Wright says – “Great Valley is a well coached and disciplined team with a solid point guard (Shackleton), a great shooter (Sherry), and an athletic forward (6-7 Grant). The Ches-Mont is a good league that has two of the highest seeds in West Chester Rustin and Coatesville.”
# 18 Spring-Ford Rams (15-8) @ # 15 Wissahickon Trojans (13-8)
Spring-Ford competes in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. Wissahickon competes in the SOL American Conference.
Record the last five games: Spring-Ford (3-2) & Wissahickon (5-0).
Players to Watch: Rams – Steve Joyce, Zameer McDowell, and Darryl Branch. Trojans – Jordan Reed, Anthony McKie, and Kyle Garrett.
Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson says – “We want to take advantage of the home game. Spring-Ford will bring a big crowd, and it is going to be a good test for us. They have some size, and they have some athleticism. Right now, we’re more concerned with how we play – how we execute. The team that executes is going to be the team that wins the game.”
# 26 Ridley Green Raiders (12-10) @ # 7 Norristown Eagles (18-3)
Ridley competes in the Central League. Norristown competes in the SOL American Conference.
Record the last five games: Ridley (2-3) & Norristown (4-1)
Players to Watch: Raiders – Sean Church, Tom Manning, and Kevin Garling. Eagles – Rasheed Johnson, Maleek Williams, and Aaron Webb.
Norristown head coach Michael Evans says – “Once you get into the playoffs, it is an entirely different season. The way that you played at the beginning of the season doesn’t really matter; it is how you are playing now. Teams in the district playoffs are always good, Ridley is a good team, and there are no guarantees.”
# 23 Souderton Indians (14-8) @ # 10 Coatesville Red Raiders (16-7)
Souderton competes in the SOL Continental Conference. Coatesville competes in the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Record the last five games: Big Red – (4-1) & Red Raiders (4-1)
Players to Watch: Souderton – Mark Wonderling, Anthony Sergio, and Ryan Connolly. Coatesville – Tymier Miller, Kris Miller, and Will Shueler.
Souderton head coach Dennis Stanton says – “Getting into districts is like a rebirth for our team this season. We get another game, and we are all very excited about getting to play a program as well known as Coatesville. We get a week to prepare for them, and we’re anxious to see how well we can compete.”
# 30 Interboro Bucs (11-9) @ # 3 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (18-4)
Interboro competes in the Delaware Valley League. Plymouth Whitemarsh competes in the SOL American Conference.
Record the last five games: Interboro – (2-3) & Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-1)
Players to Watch: Bucs – Christian Irons, Vince Carnevale, and Ryan Bailey. Plymouth Whitemarsh – Jaylen Bond, Stephon Baker, and Sam Pygatt.
Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio says – “By getting the number three seed, we have a chance of having three home games in the (district one) playoffs. And that is really a big deal. We play well in our building. To go 18-4 with the schedule that we played is great. Now we have to go out and win games.”
# 19 West Chester Henderson Warriors (15-7) @ # 14 Pennridge Rams (17-5)
West Chester Henderson competes in the Ches-Mont National Division. Pennridge competes in the SOL Continental Conference.
Record the last five games: West Chester Henderson (3-2) & Pennridge (4-1)
Players to Watch: Warriors – Chas McCormick, Austin Constable, and Desmond Austin. Pennridge – Mike Guldin, Tim Abruzzo, and Jared Schaffer.
Pennridge head coach Dean Behrens says – “West Chester Henderson is a team that gets up and down the floor and scores a lot of points. We have to do a good job with our possessions and limit the possessions that they have. Needless to say, the players are really excited about not only winning a conference championship, but getting a chance to host a district playoff game.”
The ‘other’ District One Quad-A Games
# 32 Perkiomen Valley (10-12) @ # 1 Chester (21-1)
# 29 Kennett (13-9) @ # 4 Upper Darby (21-1)
# 20 Methacton (14-8) @ # 13 Lower Merion (15-7)
# 27 Penncrest (12-10) @ # 6 West Chester Rustin (19-3)
# 22 Conestoga (13-9) @ # 11 Penn Wood (15-7)
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