SOL Boys’ Basketball District Preview (2-15-19)

Ten SOL boys’ basketball teams will be in action in Friday’s District 1 6A opening round. Check the preview capsules.

No. 1 Abington Galloping Ghosts (first round bye)
The two-time defending District I 6A champions and the senior-laden Ghosts rolled through conference play and a challenging nonleague slate. They enter as heavy favorites to reach Temple again. Led by Villanova-bound Eric Dixon and Penn recruit Lucas Monroe, the Ghosts are as postseason tested as any team in the field. Abington, which went undefeated in its first season in the SOL American, enters the district playoffs fresh off an SOL tournament win.

23-1 overall
14-0 SOL American (Conference champions)
Key wins over District I 6A No. 4 Pennridge (72-61 Dec. 15, 62-52 Feb. 11), No. 9 Cheltenham (67-53 Jan. 15, 69-60 Feb. 7), No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh (47-40 Jan. 4, 69-51 Jan. 30), Gonzaga College HS (DC) (58-51 Dec. 7), Episcopal HS (TX) (68-62 Dec. 8), Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter (85-71 Feb. 2)
Senior forward Eric Dixon is program's all-time leading scorer. The 6-foot-7 Villanova recruit has 2,317 career points and is averaging 29 points per game this season.
Senior guard Lucas Monroe reached 1,000 career points in regular season finale. The 6-foot-6 Penn recruit is second all time in assists for the program.
In the team's last 11 games, guard Darius Brown has registered 27 3-point shots. Senior Maurice Henry and junior Manir Waller round out the starting five.

No. 4 Pennridge Rams (first-round bye)
Despite graduating three starters from last year, Pennridge finds itself right back in the top echelon of the District I bracket. Of course, when the returning starters are Sean Yoder and Jon Post, that makes things a little easier. Pennridge saw its school record 17-game winning streak snapped in the SOL title game, but this group is ready to get back on track.

21-3 overall
11-1 SOL Continental (Conference champion)
Key wins over District I 6A No. 10 CB South (53-49 Jan. 4, 71-56 Feb. 4), No. 9 Cheltenham (60-42 Feb. 9), No. 12 CB East (54-48 Jan. 11, 89-60 Feb. 5), No. 13 Spring-Ford (64-54 Jan. 14), District 3 6A No. 3 Reading (51-49 Feb. 2)
Senior Sean Yoder, a Navy recruit, is averaging 20.1 points per game over the team's last six games. The point guard has 1,328 career points, currently second all-time in the program's record book.
Forward Jon Post is averaging 21.3 points per game in last three games. The 6-foot-6 senior can score at the rim but also has a consistent shot and is a rugged interior defender and rebounder.
Guards Luke Yoder, Jon Dominic, Nick Dunn and Jack Gillespie along with forward Trent Fisher round out the rotation for the Rams. Dominic earlier set a school record for 3-pointers made in a single game.
Faces winner of No. 13 Spring-Ford and No. 20 Council Rock North

No. 24 North Penn Knights at No. 9 Cheltenham Panthers
(Winner faces No. 8 Perkiomen Valley)

Cheltenham Panthers
First year head coach Patrick Fleury guided the Panthers through a tough nonleague schedule to a second place finish in the SOL American, which included a season sweep of Plymouth Whitemarsh. A solid all-around team with a mix of seniors and underclassmen, the Panthers can score in a number of ways and their athleticism causes issues defensively.

15-6 overall
12-2 SOL American (second place)
Key wins over District I 6A No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh (73-56 Dec. 21, 66-57 Jan. 24), No. 16 Upper Dublin (57-54 Dec. 18, 57-42 Jan. 22)
Non-league slate included games against Mastery Charter North, Archbishop Carroll and La Salle College High School
Junior point guard Zahree Harrison is the team's engine. Able to shoot from outside and get to the rim, he also creates plenty of chances for teammates.
Seniors Tim Myarick and Kyin Healey are experienced and solid players. Myarick is team's best outside shooter while 6-foot-7 Healey is strong inside and top interior defender.
Jalen Mickens, Jaelen McGlone, Mike McClain, Justin Moore and Sean Emfinger make up a versatile and athletic group of guards that can fill a variety of roles on both ends of the court.

North Penn Knights
A promising start to the season turned into a struggle of a second half for the Knights. North Penn lost 10 of its last 11 games, but still managed to grab the final playoff spot. If the Knights can rediscover that early season form, they are a team to contend with.

9-13 overall
4-8 SOL Continental (Fifth place)
Key wins over District I 6A No. 7 Methacton (57-55 Dec. 27), No. 8 Perkiomen Valley (56-52 Dec. 28), No. 12 CB East (89-85 Jan. 25), No. 21 CB West (53-46 Jan. 8), No. 19 Pennsbury (47-46 Dec. 18)
Senior point guard AJ Mitchell is the catalyst for the Knights. Able to score at all three levels, his ability to get to the basket both gets him going and creates opportunities for teammates around him.
Tali McIver, Kolby Barrow, Chris Caputo and Mike Chaffee fill out the guard rotation. Barrow and Caputo are good spot-up shooters, Chaffee brings plenty of energy and McIver can give the Knights whatever they need on either end.
Matt Swanson and Rob Carangi give the Knights some size up front.

No. 23 Bensalem Owls at No. 10 Central Bucks South Titans
(Winner faces No. 7 Methacton)

Central Bucks South Titans
After dropping their first two games of the season, the Titans – who have eight seniors on their roster – reeled off seven straight wins and won 12 of their next 13 games. They were in the hunt for the SOL Continental title with just one loss after the first go round, but they dropped three games the second time around in conference play but still finished second to Pennridge.

16-6 overall
8-4 SOL Continental (Second place)
Senior Tommy Kuypers, a first team all-league forward as a junior, is a dangerous offensive weapon, and Alex Dietz has also been a consistent force on offense. Ian McCaw has been strong in the middle for a veteran Titan squad.
Seniors Brady and Cole Prezelski and Mark Kannengieszer bring veteran leadership. Senior Brock D'Aulerio gives the Titans good minutes off the bench.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 12 Central Bucks East (54-44 Dec. 18), No. 18 Downingtown East (73-56 Jan. 5), No. 21, Central Bucks West (58-55 Jan. 15), No. 24 North Penn (54-52 Jan. 11, 50-47, Feb. 5), District 1 5A No. 2 Holy Ghost Prep (43-37 Dec. 29)

Bensalem Owls
Last year the Owls advanced to the PIAA 6A Tournament as the 10^th seed. They lost five key players from that squad to graduation and were 2-4 after six games, but they battled their way into districts, winning seven of their last nine games.

13-9 overall
8-4 SOL National (Second place)
Senior Lamont Hasker – the Owls’ top scorer and dangerous offensive weapon – and TJ Igielski saw playing time on last year’s successful squad and bring veteran experience.
Nasir Williams, Shane Simmons and Jeremiah Alexander contribute at both ends of the floor. Reuben Jean-Phillips is a defensive catalyst, and freshman Aaron Sanders also gave the Owls a lift.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 19 Pennsbury (38-35 Jan. 24), No. 20 Council Rock North (67-75 Feb. 5), No. 24 North Penn (72-71 Jan. 19), and 5A No. 2 Holy Ghost Prep (56-40 Dec. 22).

No. 22 Haverford Fords at No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
(Winner faces No. 6 Chester)

Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
As expected after graduating five of their six top rotation players from last year's senior-heavy team, the Colonials had their share of ups and downs this season. When healthy, PW has a lineup that it feels can contend with anyone anchored by 7-foot-3 senior Naheem McLeod. If there's a time to peak, this is the best one the Colonials could choose.

14-8 overall
10-4 SOL American (Third place)
Key wins against District I 6A No. 5 Norristown (66-61 Dec. 7), No. 21 CB West (53-42 Dec. 15), No. 16 Upper Dublin (67-49 Jan. 8, 59-51 Jan. 30), Erie Cathedral Prep (59-47 Jan. 18), District I 5A No. 3 Unionville (59-49 Dec. 28)
Played nonleague games against Bonner-Prendergast, Malvern Prep, Sankofa Freedom and Kennedy Catholic
Senior Naheem McLeod, a 7-foot-3 Florida State recruit, is the focal point on both ends of the floor. A towering presence, McLeod is a strong rim protector and rebounder.
Junior Caelin Peters admirably shouldered a much-increased role as the team's lead guard. A capable scorer from the perimeter and in the lane and good passer, the Colonials go as Peters go.
Seniors Jason Cherry, Kyree Pendleton and Anthony Straface battled injuries during the season, but when in the lineup, they fill roles of rebounding, energy and shooting respectively.

Haverford Fords
A veteran Fords team has come a long way since a one-win season two years ago. Tested by a Central League that was tough at the top and balanced in the middle, Haverford will be looking for a statement win against a program that's among the state's best.

12-10 overall
8-8 Central League (Fifth place)
Key win against District I 6A No. 14 Conestoga (56-48 Dec. 14)
Point guard Dan Roe, one of six holdovers from two seasons ago, facilitates everything for the Fords.
John Seidman is a strong shooter who has added more to his game while Jake Ruane can also knock down shots from beyond the arc.

No. 21 Central Bucks West Bucks at No. 12 Central Bucks East Patriots
(Winner faces No. 5 Norristown)

Central Bucks East Patriots
Despite the loss of three players who are competing at the collegiate level to graduation, the Patriots opened their season with nine wins in their first 11 games but then dropped three straight. They rebounded to win five of their last seven games. The East-West rivalry is one of the most intense in the district. The two teams split their regular season meetings. The winner of Friday’s high stakes game will move on while the loser will go home.

15-7 overall
6-6 SOL Continental (tied for third place)
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 10 Central Bucks South (53-48 Jan. 22), No. 20 Council Rock North (69-68 Dec. 15), No. 21 Central Bucks West (61-58 Dec. 14), No. 24 North Penn (58-39 Dec. 21), District 1 3A No. 1 New Hope-Solebury (58-47 Feb. 2) and District 1 2A No. 1 Dock Mennonite (54-49 Dec. 28).
Senior Nick Roggio – an all-league center as a junior – is a force in the paint.
Senior guard Leo Masterson capped a strong season with a 31-point effort in the Patriots’ regular season finale, and veteran Ben Markowitz has also been a consistent contributor.

Central Bucks West Bucks
Last year’s SOL Continental Conference champions lost three key players from that successful squad to graduation. The Bucks – 7-11 after 18 games – appeared to be out of the playoff picture, but they saved their best for last, winning four straight games to close out the regular season, capping off their season with a big win over No. 10 Central Bucks South. The Bucks split their season series with the Patriots.

11-11 overall
6-6 SOL Continental (tied for third place)
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 10 Central Bucks South (64-48 Feb. 8), No. 12 Central Bucks East (59-49 Jan. 18), No. 13 Spring-Ford (54-44 Dec. 8)
Senior guard Jack Mulhearn is the team’s go-to scorer, and along with junior Jack Neri, who has been productive at the forward position, have given the Bucks a reliable one-two punch.
Captains Mulhearn, senior Reed Zerweck & junior Mika Munari provide positive leadership.

No. 17 Downingtown West Whippets at No. 16 Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
(Winner faces No. 1 Abington)

Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
The Cardinals, in coach Chris Monahan's second season, made an eight-game improvement in the win column and returned to the postseason. A relatively young team, with just two seniors in the top eight rotation players, UD wants to play at a higher pace.

14-8 overall
7-7 SOL American (fourth place)
Key wins over District IA No. 2 Faith Christian (49-45), District I 5A No. 12 Upper Moreland (45-42)
Senior Corby Watkins is the team's go-to scorer.
Sophomore forward Drew Stover is scoring presence inside and a capable post defender.
Brian Klammer, Michah Bootman and Mike Slivka are solid two-way players for the Cardinals.

Downingtown West Whippets

14-8 overall
8-4 Ches-Mont National (third-place finisher)
Key wins over District I 6A No. 19 Downingtown East (59-50 Jan. 15), No. 24 North Penn (58-57 Jan. 12)
Junior Will Howard, a Division I quarterback prospect, is a skilled basketball player as well. The forward is a scorer but also one of the team's best rebounders.
Cam McCole is a capable scorer on the wing while Naseem Roberson is a steady hand at the point guard spot offensively and defensively.

No. 19 Pennsbury Falcons at #14 Conestoga Pioneers
(Winner faces No. 3 Lower Merion)

Pennsbury Falcons
The Falcons have spent the last five years finishing second to Abington in the conference standings, but with the Ghosts now competing in the SOL American, the Falcons seized the moment, capturing the program’s first conference crown since 2009. Anchoring the squad are senior sharpshooter Gary Francis and junior Collin Connor. Pennsbury intentionally played a tough non-league slate to prepare for the postseason.14-9 overall

11-1 SOL National champions
Gary Francis has consistently put up big offensive numbers. The senior sharpshooter averaged over 30 points a game in his final four regular season games, which included a 47-point effort in a win over Frankford.
Junior guard Collin Connor has been a consistent contributor.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 9 Cheltenham (66-64 Dec. 15), No. 20 Council Rock North (53-48 Dec. 13, 39-36 Jan. 17) and No. 23 Bensalem (64-56 Dec. 20).

Conestoga Pioneers
The Pioneers – two years removed from a trip to the state tournament – fell to Penncrest (54-46) in the Central League semifinals after finishing third in the regular season standings. With five of seven players back from last year’s squad, the veteran Pioneers are looking for a return trip to states. After a 3-9 start, Conestoga won 11 of 14 games.

14-8 overall
12-4 Central League (Third place)
Senior Zach Lezanic, the Pioneers’ top scorer, reached the 1,000-point milestone in Conestoga’s final regular season game. Making the accomplishment more remarkable is the fact that he did it in three years after sitting out his freshman year with an injury.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 17 Downingtown West (73-67 Dec. 7), No. 22 Haverford (62-55 Jan. 30), District 1 5A No. 4 Penncrest (51-47 Jan. 15), No. 14 Radnor (61-56 Jan. 11) and No. 16 Harriton (77-60 Jan. 19).

No. 20 Council Rock North Indians at No. 13 Spring-Ford Rams
(Winner faces No. 4 Pennridge)

Council Rock North Indians
Despite the loss of four starters to graduation, the Indians, in their third year under coach Jesse Krasna, flipped their record from 8-14 last year to 14-8 this time around. The Indians – whose calling card is defense – like to dictate the tempo. Twice they won games when scoring less than 40 points. The Indians won five of seven before closing out the regular season with three straight losses.

14-8 overall
7-5 SOL National (Tied for third place)
Senior point guard DJ Mischak is the Indians’ engine.
Senior center James Duffy and junior shooting guard Hunter Wan bring veteran experience to a lineup that has seen numerous players contribute.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 16 Upper Dublin (46-41 Dec. 11), No. 23 Bensalem (53-46 Jan. 11), District 1 5A No. 8 Penn Wood (51-49 Jan. 5) and District 1 3A No. 1 New Hope-Solebury (30-29 Dec. 28).

Spring-Ford Rams
The Rams are three years removed from their last trip to the state tournament. After a 1-3 start, the Rams reeled off five straight wins. They closed out the regular season with six straight wins. Senior Noah Baker, one of the conference’s top players, surpassed the 1,000-point milestone.

15-7 overall
5-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Fourth place Liberty Division)
Senior forward Noah Baker averages 15.9 points a game while senior center Robert Bobeck (10.7 ppg) also averages double figures.
Tyler Scilingo (9.2 ppg) is a long-range sniper, connecting on 40 three-pointers.
Tre Medearis (8.1 ppg) and Ryan Hagan (7.2 ppg) also are key contributors.
Key wins over District 1 6A No. 8 Perkiomen Valley (63-33 Feb. 1), No. 10 Central Bucks South (69-65 Dec. 7), District 1 5A No. 11 Phoenixville (56-53 Jan. 10) and No. 13 Pottstown (66-48 Jan. 15).