SOL Boys’ Basketball District Preview (2-13-26)

Fifteen SOL teams will be competing in the District 1 Tournament. Check out the preview capsules for all the SOL teams. (Photo courtesy of Michael Rice Photography. To view photos, click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f894249383

Class 6A

#1 Plymouth Whitemarsh – first round bye

–19-5 overall

–10-0 SOL Liberty Division champions

Key Players: Sr. G Mani Sajid (23.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg), Sr. Michael Pereira (13.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg), Jr. G Buddy Denard (6.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Sr. G Terron Davis (5.8 ppg). Sajid, a Towson commit, surpassed the 1,000-point milestone and has broken the program’s all-time scoring record.

Notable Wins: #3 Coatesville, #6 Abington (twice), #13 Cheltenham, #17 CB East (twice), #19 Wissahickon (twice), #21 Neshaminy, Class 5A #4 Upper Dublin (twice),

Next up: PW will host the Downingtown West-CB East winner on Feb. 17 in the second round.

#4 Central Bucks South – First Round Bye

–18-5 overall

–7-3 SOL Colonial Division, second place

Key Players: Sr. G Alex Shahin, Sr. G Shane Farrell, Sr. C Kayote Adebayo, Sr. F Leo Medwid

Notable Wins: #5 Souderton (twice), #17 CB East, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland

Next up: CB South will host the CB West-Cheltenham winner on Feb. 17.

#5 Souderton – First Round Bye

–17-6 overall

–8-2 SOL Colonial Division champions

Key Players: Sr. G Chanse Salone, Sr. G Nate Rusike, Jr. G Koby Rollerson, Sr. F Marques Green

Notable Wins: #6 Abington, #17 CB East (twice), #20 CB West (twice), #22 Council Rock South, #24 Pennsbury, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland

Next up: Souderton takes on the Neshaminy-Perk Valley winner at home on Feb. 17.

#6 Abington – First Round Bye

–17-7 overall

–7-3 SOL Liberty Division, second place

Key Players: Jr. G Xander Grasty (17 ppg, 3 assists), Jr. G Kyler Pickron (9 ppg, 2 steals), Sr. G Faizon Garland (10 ppg, 4 assists)

Notable Wins: #5 Souderton, #7 Spring-Ford, #13 Cheltenham, #14 Chester, #15 Downingtown West, #19 Wissahickon (twice), #24 Pennsbury, Class 5A #4 Upper Dublin, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland

Next up: Abington will host the winner of CR South and Penn Wood in the second round on Feb. 17.
Abington coach Dan Marsh:
“We are looking forward to districts and proving Abington basketball is back and we belong.”

#17 Central Bucks East at #16 Downingtown West (Friday, 6 pm)

Central Bucks East

–14-9 overall

–5-5 SOL Colonial, tied for third place

Key Players: Sr. F Connor Mekanik (9 ppg, 7 rebs), Sr. G Henry Bartchak (10 ppg, 3 rebs, 3 assists), So. G Keegan Marascio (12 ppg, 5rebs, 3 assists), Jr. G Quinn Slack (5 ppg, 4 rebs,3 assists)

Notable Wins: #4 Central Bucks South, #20 Central Bucks West (twice), #24 Pennsbury

CB East coach Erik Henrysen: “We had a shot at a home playoff game or even a bye, but we faded a little down the stretch. We haven’t been at full strength since the holiday, but we are full strength now. Playoff basketball is about planning and being ready for the moment.

“Downingtown West is a very good team. We have our work cut out for us and are excited about the challenge.”

Downingtown West

–13-9 overall

–8-4 Ches-Mont National, second place

Key Players: Sr. F Brady Moore, F A.J. Ross, Jr G. Keron Whitfield, Sr. G Brendon Goode-Kimble

Notable Wins: #15 Great Valley, #23 West Chester Henderson (twice), Class 5A #12 Sun Valley

Next up: The winner faces top-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh on Feb. 17 in the second round.

#24 Pennsbury at #9 Lower Merion (Friday, 7 pm)

Pennsbury

–13-9 overall

–7-3 SOL Patriot, second place

Key Players: So. G Patrick Jajua (14 ppg, 3 rebs, 2 assists), Jr. F Sean Breslin (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rebs, 1.8 blocks), Sr. C Max Manga (7.8 ppg, 8 rebs), So. G Brayden Clark (11.2 ppg, 3.3 rebs, 3.5 assists)

Notable Wins: #21 Neshaminy, #22 Council rock South, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland

Pennsbury coach Wes Emme:

–Losing streak to end regular season: “(We) had three chances to iron it out, and we didn’t get it done. And we flopped, and we’ve got to own that. We’ve got to recognize it, and we’ve got to move on because, ultimately, that doesn’t define the players that are on this team. That doesn’t define anything, and the playoffs are another chance to do that. This is a one-game season territory where what happened before means nothing, and it’s just what you’re about to do next. So that’s the way we’ve been preaching it. That’s the way we’ve been controlling it, and we’ve had a really good week of practice. So, I’m happy with how we’ve approached this last week.”

–Playing Lower Merion: “Now you have to play the game that’s in front of you. And, you know, I think fortunately for us, we got to experience the environment last year. They’re a good team. They’re coached by a legend. And you’re in an awesome environment, an awesome high school environment. Couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to play on a Friday night. Like, you want to play at the Kobe Dome as a high school basketball player in this area.”

Lower Merion

–15-7 overall

–10-6 Colonial League, fifth place

Key Players: Jr. G Kyle Parrish, Sr. G Arjay Miller, Jr. F Nick Dragut, So. G Nile Ingram

Notable Wins: #8 Garnet Valley, #16 Downingtown West, #18 Upper Darby, Class 5A #6 Marple Newtown, Class 5A #8 Harriton

Next up: The winner plays at #8 Garnet Valley in the second round on Feb. 17.

#20 Central Bucks West at #13 Cheltenham (Friday, 7 pm)

CB West

–12-10 overall

–5-5 SOL Colonial, tied for third place

Key Players: Jr. F Dan Pellegrini, So. F John Vrettos, Sr. G Max Millilo, So. G Melo Aylmer

Notable Wins: #4 CB South (twice), #10 Conestoga, #12 Perkiomen Valley, Class 5A #7 Pottstown

CB West assistant coach Sherrod Higginbotham:

“The senior captains Max (Milillo), Connor (Chuo) and Will (Kondyra) have done a great job leading the team. They do a great job pushing and teaching the underclassmen who share the court with them.

“Dan (Pellegrini), Melo (Aylmer) and John (Vrettos) have done a good job finishing plays and scoring when their number is called on.

“Our team is looking forward to competing in the district playoffs. Qualifying for the district playoffs is always important to the program, but especially for our seniors.

“Cheltenham should be a great environment and always an intense battle. Coach Pat (Fleury) does a great job with his program.

“Everyone is 0-0 when the playoffs start. Getting hot at the right time can lead to a magical run, and the opportunity for that run begins and ends on Friday night. Win, or go home.”

Cheltenham

–17-7 overall

–10-0 SOL Freedom champion

Key Players: Sr. G Chris Harmon (15.5 ppg, 5.1 assists, 4.7 rebs), Sr. G Mark Hill (15.5 ppg, 1.5 assists, 82 percent FT, 2.5 steals), Sr. G Jaedn Mosely (11.4 ppg, 4 assists, 1.5 steals), Sr. F Tyree Martin (6 ppg, 7 rebs, 3 assists), Isaiah Dill (6 ppg, 3.3 assists)

Notable Wins: #4 CB South, #6 Abington, #14 Chester, #17 CB East, #21 Neshaminy, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland (twice), Class 5A #10 Springfield Twp (twice)

Cheltenham coach Patrick Fleury:

“The Panthers are excited for another opportunity to work as a unit.”

Next up: The winner plays at #4 Central Bucks South in the second round on Feb. 17.

#21 Neshaminy at #12 Perkiomen Valley (Friday, 7 pm)

Neshaminy

–13-9 overall

–6-4 SOL Patriot, third place

Key Players: Jr. G Logan Gale (18 ppg, 6 rebs), So. F Marlon Yon (11 ppg, 7 rebs), Sr. G Eriq Gold, Jr. G Luke Armhein

Notable Wins: #17 CB East, #20 CB West, #22 Council Rock South, #24 Pennsbury

Neshaminy coach Mark Tingle:

“We have a tough matchup away at Perkiomen Valley to start the playoffs. We are excited to compete as a team and see if we can make a little run in the districts.”

Perkiomen Valley

–15-7 overall

–6-4 PAC Liberty, third place

Key Players: Sr. G Chase Kelly, Sr. G Kyle Tracey, Sr. F Jon Boyd

Notable Wins: #2 Methacton, #6 Souderton, #7 Spring-Ford, Class 5A #7 Pottstown, Class 5A #9 Pottsgrove

Next up: The winner plays at #5 Souderton in the second round on Feb. 17.

#19 Wissahickon at #14 Chester (Friday, 7 pm)

Wissahickon

–13-9 overall

–4-6 SOL Liberty, fourth place

Key Players: Sr. G Nico Vacchiano, So. G Zach Schwartz, So. G Owen Haughey, So. C Jona Sellenreik

Notable Wins: #12 Perkiomen Valley, #13 Cheltenham, #20 CB West, #22 Council Rock North, Class 5A #4 Upper Dublin, Class 5A #5 Upper Moreland

Wissahickon coach Kyle Wilson:

“We are really, really excited for this opportunity. One, to be in the playoffs, we know we worked our butts off down the stretch and earned this opportunity, so that’s very exciting. Our kids are playing their best basketball right now. In our last 12 games, we’ve won nine of them. Three of those losses were to PW, Abington and Upper Dublin, so we have nothing to be ashamed of.

“And this is the icing on the cake. This is what the players work for all season, to get a taste of postseason, and we know it’s Chester at Chester, but we feel like we’ve been battle tested playing the PWs, the Methactons, the Abingtons, the Upper Dublins, so we feel like we have as good a chance as anybody to continue and advance.

“Our guards are playing well. Our big man, the 7-footer, is defending the post as good as anybody, so you know we’re ready to go, give it a battle and see what happens when the smoke clears.”

Chester

–14-7overall

–8-0 Del-Val League champion

Key Players: Sr. G Jalen Harris, Sr. F Dahron Bostick, Sr. G Paul Lindsay,

Notable Wins: #11 Penn Wood (twice), Class 5A #11 Academy Park

Next up: The winner will travel to #3 Coatesville for a second-round game on Feb. 17.

#22 Council Rock South at #11 Penn Wood (Friday, 7 pm)

CR South

–14-7 overall

–8-2 SOL Patriot Division champion

Key Players: Sr. G Ryan Delp (15 ppg), Sr. G Ray Haglund (4.5 assists, all-time school record holder in assists), Jr. F Lucian Mirc (11 ppg), Sr. F Joey Madara (6 rebs)

Notable wins: #20 CB West, #21 Neshaminy, #24 Pennsbury

CR South coach Jim Cassidy:

“We’re excited for the opportunity in front of us. Penn Wood possesses size, skill and athleticism, and they’ll be a huge test for us. I think we had a good week of practice, and I know our guys will give everything they have.”

Penn Wood

–16-5 overall

–6-2 Del-Val League, second place

Key Players: Sr. F Malik Edwards, Sr. Nafi Davis, So. G Bellvin Smith, Jr. G Stanley Jones

Notable win: #8 Garnet Valley, Class 5A #12 Sun Valley

Next up: The winner will play at #6 Abington in a second-round game on Feb. 17.

Class 5A

#4 Upper Dublin – First Round Bye

–20-4

–6-4 SOL Liberty, third place

–SOL Tournament champion for third consecutive year

Key Players: Sr. G Kobe Bazemore, Jr. G Horace Jackson, Jr. F Justin Ragsdale, Jr. G Noah Cohen

Notable Wins: Class 6A #1 Plymouth Whitemarsh, Class 6A #2 Methacton, Class 6A #6 Abington, Class 6A #7 Spring-Ford, Class 6A #13 Cheltenham (twice), Class 6A #19 Wissahickon, Class 6A #20 CB West, Class 6A #21 Neshaminy, Class 6A #22 Council Rock South

Next up: UD will host the Upper Moreland-Sun Valley winner in the quarterfinals on Feb. 18.

#12 Sun Valley at #5 Upper Moreland (Friday, 7 pm)

Upper Moreland

–14-8

–7-3 SOL Freedom, second place

Key Players: Sr. G Nate Best (10 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.5 apg), Sr. F Larry Hughes (10 ppg, 7 rpb, 2.5 apg, 2.5 bpg), So. G Cannon Campbell (13.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg), So. G Jose Hernandez (13 ppg, 4 rbg, 2.5 apg), Jr. G Kyle Moore (6.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg)

Notable Wins: #7 Pottstown, #10 Springfield Twp (twice), Class 6A #22 Council Rock South

Upper Moreland coach Dan Heiland:

“Our focus all week has been getting back to playing our style of basketball. Sun Valley is well-coached and competes hard, so we know we’ll have to earn everything. In the playoffs, there are no shortcuts – it comes down to toughness, execution, and trusting the work we’ve put in together all season. We’re excited for the opportunity and ready to compete for 32 minutes.”

Sun Valley

11-11 overall

6-4 Ches-Mont American, second place

Key Players: Sr. G Aden Bamgbose, Jr. F Jahmil Smith, Jr. F Zion Cauthorn

Notable Wins: Unionville, Interboro, Kennett

Next up: The winner will play at #4 Upper Dublin in a quarterfinal game on Feb. 18.

#10 Springfield Twp at #7 Pottstown

Springfield Twp

–12-10 overall

–4-6 SOL Freedom, fourth place

Key Players: Sr. G Julian Ciasullo (11.7 ppg, 2 assists, 2 steals), Sr. G Cahlin Spearman (11.5 ppg, 2 steals), Sr. G Will McLaughlin (3 assists, 3 deflections, 3 steals)

Notable Wins: Class A #2 Phil-Mont Christian, Class 6A Council Rock North

Springfield coach Mike DeCandido:

“We are really looking forward to the opportunity to play in a district playoff game. Our guys fought all season, and it’s great to see all the hard work pay off.

“We didn’t end the season the way we wanted, but the guys have had a great week of practice to reset and look forward to the postseason. We only have two guys on the team that have played in a district playoff game, so this will be such a fun experience for the team as a whole.”

–Playing Pottstown: “The game itself should be a fun one. We are traveling to Pottstown as the underdogs and love the challenge that lies ahead. Pottstown plays a similar style of basketball to us, so there should be a lot of running up and down the court. It’s fun when you have two teams that love to push the pace, share the ball, and play hard for each other. That can produce some exciting basketball.

“They have some great bigs so our forwards will have a fun challenge ahead of them. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than postseason basketball. You get extra time with your team, and you get to watch them prepare for some of the bigger games of their career. It’s ‘survive and advance’ time, so it’ll be awesome to watch them leave everything out there for each other.”

Pottstown

–11-11 overall

–8-2 PAC Freedom, second place

Key Players: Sr. G Syncere Whitehurst, Sr. G Nyreice Joseph, Sr. F Eli Butler

Notable Wins: #9 Pottsgrove (twice), District 3 Emmaus

Next up: The winner will go on the road to take on #2 Penncrest in a quarterfinal game on Feb. 18.