Scott Huff highlights some of the players to watch in the SOL this season.
By Scott Huff
The player that everyone wanted to watch in the Suburban One League – Neshaminy senior Ryan Arcidiacono - will be watching along with the rest of us from the sidelines during the 2011-2012 hoops season.
Arcidiacono – who will attend Villanova University next season – will have minor surgery on a herniated disc in his back. The injury will not interfere with his collegiate career with the Wildcats but will not permit the electric point guard to play a single minute this scholastic season.
“The procedure only takes about 15 minutes, and it takes about a week two to feel better,” said Arcidiacono. “But then it takes around eight weeks or so of rehab. I’m going to do whatever the doctors tell me to do. I have to do the right thing for myself to get ready for what is ahead.
“It is going to be very tough not to be able to play my senior season with the rest of the seniors and Coach (Jerry) Devine,” added Arcidiacono. “But my plan is to be at every practice and try and teach the players what I have been taught over the years. I’m here to support my teammates in any way that I can.”
Arcidiacono was not only the finest player in all of the Suburban One League but was considered by most college scouting services as a top 25 guard in the entire nation. He was a superb three-point shooter, a clutch scorer, and had an incredibly high basketball IQ. His junior season stats included a 20.4 scoring average – a 5.6 rebounding average – a 5.1 assist per game average – and a 2.2 steal per game average.
Arcidiacono – who stands 6-foot, 3-inches and weighs 190 pounds - signed with Villanova on October 25, 2010. He chose the Cats over Florida, Notre Dame, Boston College, and West Virginia.
“I missed my AAU season this summer, and I won’t play again until March or April of next year,” said Arcidiacono. “I am really going to miss playing, but I am going to stay involved in the game any way I can.”
Unfortunately, that will be on the sidelines with the rest of us.
The Best of the Rest in the SOL National Conference
Council Rock North Indians:
Arron Goodman (1st team all conference in 2010); Aaron Morgan (1st team all conference); Matt McCloskey (honorable mention).
Neshaminy Redskins:
Tyler Katz and Richie Schafer
William Tennent Panthers:
Jack Rauchut (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Mark Wasserleben
Bensalem Owls:
Leo Vincent (3rd team all conference in 2010) and Dovante Newkirk (honorable mention).
Pennsbury Falcons:
Kieran Bolger (honorable mention in 2010) and Shawn Pepper.
Truman Tigers:
Merdic Green and Daiquan Ashley.
Abington Ghosts:
Jordan Simmons and Jiere Morrisey
Suburban One League American Conference
Player To Watch
Jordan Reed – Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon senior Jordan Reed returns after earning a 1st Team All-Conference selection last season.
“Jordan has a phenomenal AAU summer season of playing basketball, and he did some great things in the fall as well,” said Wissahickon head coach Kyle Wilson. “And at his size (6-foot, 4-inches) he has developed into an excellent ‘2’ guard who can both shoot and handle the basketball.
“Jordan is freakishly athletic,” added Wilson. “He is going to be an offensive threat while also being a solid defender. He buys into the team concept of defense and can be a huge help defensively to teammates. He is definitely a team-oriented player, and that is a huge plus for the sake of the team.
“Jordan has had some good looks from colleges,” continued Wilson. “Siena, Manhatten, and Fairfield have all taken a good look at him. And after the season, I know there will be a lot more colleges on that list taking some serious interest.”
The Best of the Rest in the SOL American Conference
Wissahickon Trojans:
Tanoh Kpassagnon (honorable mention in 2010)
Cheltenham Panthers:
Nafis Walker (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Jerrell Haywood
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals:
John DeCamara (2nd team all conference); Andrew Derr and Darrell Harrison
Upper Moreland Golden Bears:
Matt Kohn (honorable mention in 2010) and Josh Villanueva
Norristown Eagles:
Samir Bey and BJ Gordon
Upper Merion Vikings:
Pat Stringfield and Connor McGrath
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials:
Anthony McKie (2nd team all conference in 2010), Brandon Johnson and Jake Silvers.
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Player To Watch
Mark Wonderling – Souderton Big Red
The 6-foot, 3-inch Souderton tri-captain returns after a 1st Team All-Conference selection last season.
“Mark is the type of player that you admire as both a coach and a teammate,” said Souderton Big Red head coach Dennis Stanton. “He is selfless both on and off the court. He is hard working, and motivated more than any player that I have been around.
“He lets the ‘animal out’ when he plays defense,” added Stanton. “I believe that he is the best one-on-one guard defender in the league. He is never going to be outworked. And offensively, he can get to the rim, is a great passer, and has worked hard on his jumper.
“Right now, Ursinus has the inside track in recruiting, and that is my alma mater,” continued Stanton of the Division III Bears from Collegeville. “He is such a character kid – and that would perfectly fit the mold of that program.”
The Best of the Rest in the SOL Continental Conference
Souderton Big Red:
Ryan Connolly (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Luke Moyer
Pennridge Rams:
Tim Abruzzo (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Andrew Lyons (honorable mention)
North Penn Knights:
Wes Brooks (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Javi Alvarino
Central Bucks West Bucks:
Derek Dyer (2nd team all conference in 2010) and Tyler Schechter.
Central Bucks East Patriots:
Ryan O’Neil (3rd team all conference in 2010) and Steve Topley
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters:
Mike Brown (3rd team all conference in 2010) and Zach Quattro
Quakertown Panthers:
Corey Jorgensen (honorable mention in 2010) and Steffan Spieker
Central Bucks South Titans:
Dave Knox and John Flaherty.
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