SOL Boys’ Basketball District Preview (2-16-24)

Eleven SOL boys’ basketball teams will be in action in Friday’s opening round of the District 1 Tournament. Check the previews. Photo courtesy of John Gleeson: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f716903222

Class 6A

##7 Central Bucks East (first round bye)

18-6
SOL Colonial champions
The Patriots won their fourth straight division title, sparked by a 10-0 start to the season, and the team has a ton of postseason experience.
Finished season just 4-4 over its last eight games, including a pair of losses to rival Central Bucks West.
CB East owns wins over #18 William Tennent, #11 CB West, #21 North Penn, #20 Council Rock South, Class 5A #2 Upper Dublin, #22 Pennsbury and #13 Plymouth Whitemarsh.

Key Players:

Sr. G Jake Cummiskey (16 points, 4 rebs, 3 assists)

Sr. G Tyler Dandrea (11 points, 4 rebs)

Sr. F Dhruv Mukund (9 points, 6 rebs, 3 assists)

Sr. G Justin DiRoberto (8 points)

Coach Erik Henrysen says: “We are excited about Districts and all that comes with it. It’s an accomplishment to finish in the top eight and to have earned the bye for the opening round. Perk Valley is 18-4. Both Perk Valley and Avon Grove are two very good teams. Both have a physical style, and we are looking forward to seeing them play live this Friday. The entire field is filled with great programs. This will be a very competitive tournament.”

Next up: In the second round on Tuesday, CB East will host the winner of #23 Avon Grove and #10 Perkiomen Valley.

#8 Bensalem (first round bye)

18-5
SOL Patriot champions
The battle-tested Owls won the Patriot title a year after failing to make the playoffs, going 5-1 in games decided by three points or less.
Owls were 3-3 down the stretch, losing to CB West in the first round of the SOL Tournament.
Bensalem has wins over #21 North Penn, #20 CR South (twice), #11 CB West, #7 CB East, #17 Neshaminy, #22 Pennsbury

Key players:

Jr. F Jaidyn Moffit (18 points, 6 rebounds)

Sr. G Antonio Morris (14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists)

Sr. G Noah Morris (11 points, 63 total 3-pointers)

Sr. G Amir Drummond (10 points, 3 assists)

Coach Ron Morris says: “The boys have really bought into the team concept. Roles change, goals don’t. They are a fun group to coach.”

Next up: In the second round on Tuesday, Bensalem will host the winner of #24 Springfield-Delco and #9 Abington.

#24 Springfield-Delco at #9 Abington, Friday, 7 p.m.

Abington

18-6, second place SOL Liberty
Under first-year coach Dan Marsh, the Ghosts are making their 13th straight postseason appearance, a stretch that included four district titles.
The Ghosts are 5-1 in nonleague games, including over District 3e power Cumberland Valley.
Averaged 62.9 points per-game.
Wins over District One tourney teams include against #22 Pennsbury, Class 5A #8 Upper Moreland, #12 Cheltenham (twice), and #18 William Tennent.

Key players:

Sr. G Jeremiah Lee (14.3 points, 6.5 rebs)

Sr. G Aaron Jones (9.7 points, 23 total 3-pointers)

Jr. G Paul Glants (6.2 points)

Springfield-Delco

11-11
After a slow start to the season, Springfield went 6-2 late in the season to get into districts as the 24th and final team.
Among its best wins of the season were over #14 Garnet Valley and #15 Downingtown West.

Key Players: F Colin Treude, Sr. G Jake Adams, Jr. G Patrick Flaherty

Next up: The winner will play at #8 Bensalem in the second round on Tuesday.

#21 North Penn at #12 Cheltenham, Friday, 7 p.m.

North Penn

12-10, tied second SOL Colonial
The Knights went 7-2 down the stretch to turn their season around and qualify for the postseason.
Strong guard play, led by senior point guard, has to make them a live underdog against Cheltenham in the opening round.
Key wins this season included #11 CB West, #17 Neshaminy and #7 CB East.

Key players:

Sr. G Norm Gee (11.2 points, 3.6 assets, 91 percent from free throw line)

Jr. G Ahmaar Godhania (16 points, 62 total 3-pointers)

Sr. C Tre Simpson (10.7 points, 6 rebounds)

Coach John Conrad says: “We feel like we are playing good basketball right now and hope to continue doing so in the playoffs. Playing Cheltenham on the road is a tall order and will take a tremendous effort on our part if we hope to continue our season.”

Cheltenham

17-6
SOL Freedom champions
The Panthers – after a 12-11 season last year – reclaimed the top spot in the Freedom Division, winning their least eight league games to close the season.
The Panthers played a rugged nonconference schedule that should have them in good position for the postseason.
Cheltenham owns two wins over the likes of division rivals #18 William Tennent and 5A #8 Upper Moreland, as well as #13 Plymouth Whitemarsh

Key Players: Jr. G Josiah Hutson, Sr. F Nile Tinsley, Jr. G Osei Johnson

Next up: The North Penn-Cheltenham winner players at #5 Coatesville on Tuesday.

#20 Council Rock South at #13 Plymouth Whitemarsh, Friday, 7 p.m.

CR South

14-8, tied second SOL Patriot
Remarkable turnaround from last year’s 5-17 season
The Golden Hawks are back in the playoffs and looking to do damage but have a tough road matchup at PW in the opening round Friday.
Key wins this season include over #17 Neshaminy, #22 Pennsbury (twice) and #21 North Penn.

Key Players:

Sr. G Timmy Rahill (14 ppg)

Jr. G/F Ryan Wekluk

Sr. Gabe Cerulli

Sr. Mike Burns

Sr. Jordan Getz

Coach Andrew Rogers says: “We are excited to be competing in the District One playoffs. This team put in a lot of hard work to put themselves in a situation to be playing playoff basketball. We will be matched up against Plymouth Whitemarsh, who has been a staple in District One and state playoffs throughout the years. Coach Donofrio does a tremendous job year in and year out and this year is no different. Our focus now is being the best we can be and getting ready for a battle on Friday night.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh

14-9, tied second SOL Liberty
There have been ups and downs for PW’s season, but it was very young and had a lot to replace from last year’s SOL and district title team
Colonials do have talent and a ton of experience in guard Jaden Colzie, so expect them to be heard from before the district playoffs are said and done.
Owns wins over Abington (twice), 5A #2 Upper Dublin, and 5A #8 Upper Moreland.

Key Players:

Sr. PG Jaden Colzie (19.1 ppg, 3.5 assists)

Soph. G Mani Sajid (17.6 ppg, 2 assists)

Soph. C Michael Pereira

Soph. PG Jack Hayes

Sr. G Ben Marsico

Sr. G/F Jah Pendergrass-Sayles

Coach Jim Donofrio says: “Michael Pereira is 6’8 and is coming along and playing a bigger role. Jack Hayes, our 6^th man, is also playing a bigger role. Caleb Bridgeman and Ehab Ahmed have also put themselves in position to hopefully contribute at this point.”

Next up: The winner plays at #4 Chester on Tuesday.

#17 Neshaminy at #16 Conestoga, Friday, 7 p.m.

Neshaminy

15-8, tied second SOL Patriot
Neshaminy started the season slowly, but played well late, going 6-0 to close the regular season with quality wins during that stretch.
Redskins have a ton of experience and firepower that make them a dangerous team this postseason.
Friday’s game is a rematch of a 49-48 Neshaminy win on Jan. 29. It also owns wins over playoff teams, #7 CB East, #20 CR South, and #8 Bensalem

Key Players:

Sr. G Nate Townsend,

Sr. G Emeer Coombs,

Sr. F Guy Horton

Conestoga

15-9
The Pioneers played in the rugged Central League against the likes of Lower Merion, but they’ve played well and look to make a splash, starting with a home playoff game on Friday night.
Best wins this season were over #14 Garnet Valley and #24 Springfield-Delco

Key players: Soph. G Rowan Miller, Sr. G Ben Robinson, Sr. G Brendan Styer

#18 William Tennent at #15 Downingtown West, 7 p.m., Friday

Tennent

15-7, second SOL Freedom
The high-scoring Panthers can be a dangerous out this postseason, as they have a rarity in senior Kirby Mooney, the school’s all-time leading scorer who can put up big numbers.
Tennent owns wins over the likes of #17 Neshaminy, #13 Plymouth Whitemarsh, 5A #8 Upper Moreland and #20 Council Rock South.

Key players: |

Sr. G Kirby Mooney,

Sr. G Chris D’Ambra,

Sr. G Sean Devine,

Sr. F Imad Abunima

Downingtown West

13-10
The Whippets won six straight to close the regular season in the Ches-Mont League to earn this home playoff game.
Battle tested with a schedule that includes La Salle, Lower Merion, Cedar Crest and West Chester Henderson, Coatesville and Sun Valley in the league.
Top wins this season were over 5A #7 Bayard Rustin and 4A #1 Bishop Shanahan (twice).

Key Players: Jr. C Zeke Staz, Jr. F Donovan Fromhartz

Next up: The winner plays at #2 West Chester Henderson in the second round on Tuesday.

#22 Pennsbury at #11 CB West, Friday, 7 p.m.

Pennsbury

11-11, fourth SOL Patriot
The Falcons are as strong defensively as any in the district field, allowing just over 43 points per-game.
When they started to click on offense, they closed the season with four wins in their last five games, including over division champ and #8 Bensalem and rival #17 Neshaminy.

Key Players:

Sr. F Connor Taddei

Sr. G Teddy Mangan

Sr. G Mike Roccograndi

Sr. G Danny Cohen

Sr. C Simon Dlugi

Coach Wes Emme says: “We have been playing our best basketball in the last three weeks, including victories against Neshaminy, Bensalem and CR North to finish the year – a one-point loss to CR South on Senior Night as well. Credit to our group for making a major adjustment in their approach and attacking the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth and resurrect what could have been a lost season. CB West is a well-coached and disciplined team that requires the proper mindset and preparation. Coach Sherman has his group playing at a high level, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. Julian Phillips is playing as well as anyone in our league at the moment as evidenced by his performance in the SOL Championship game.”

CB West

18-7, tied second SOL Colonial
The Bucks bounced back from an uncharacteristic 6-16 season and returned to prominence this season, beating rival and #7 CB East twice over the second half of the season.
West advanced all the way to the SOL tournament title game before losing to 5A #2 Upper Dublin. The Bucks also own a 44-31 win over Pennsbury on Jan. 17.
Other keys wins this season include over #10 Perkiomen Valley, #20 Council Rock South, #21 North Penn and #8 Bensalem.

Key Players:

Sr. G Matt Engle (10 ppg)

Sr. G Julian Phillips (12.4 ppg)

Jr. G Roman Kulesa (10.6 ppg)

Sr. F Sam Janikowski (8 ppg)

Coach Adam Sherman says: “We are excited to be in district playoffs with a home game. Pennsbury is a scrappy team that plays extremely hard. We are hoping we will be ready for this big moment and look forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Next up: The winners plays at #6 Methacton in the second round on Tuesday.

Class 5A

#2 Upper Dublin (first-round bye)

22-3
SOL Liberty champions
The class of the Suburban One League this season, the Cardinals closed the season with 13 straight wins.
UD bested nemesis Plymouth Whitemarsh to win the Liberty and then ran the table to capture the SOL Tournament title.
Key wins for UD this season were over Abington (three times), Upper Moreland, William Tennent, Cheltenham, Neshaminy and CB West.

Key players:

Jr. F Ryan Mulroy (15.4 ppg)

Sr. G Brady Fogle (12.3 ppg)

Soph. G Idris Rines (9.0 ppg)

Sr. G Chris Kohlbrenner

Coach Derek Brooks says: “Upper Dublin is excited to compete in the 5A District Tournament. It is a competitive field with plenty of quality teams. We are excited about how the team has played recently, having captured a Liberty Division title and a SOL Tournament Championship. Having been eliminated in the first round of our last two District appearances, we look forward to the opportunity this year to avenge those losses and hope to make a deep run. We will play the winner of WC Rustin and Penncrest, who are both having good seasons.”

Next up: In a quarterfinal on Wednesday, UD will host the winner of #10 Penncrest and #7 West Chester Rustin.

#9 Holy Ghost Prep at #8 Upper Moreland, Friday, 5 p.m.

Upper Moreland

13-9, third SOL Freedom
The Golden Bears face a familiar postseason foe in Holy Ghost, and with quality wins along the way earned a home game as well.
UM are battle-tested against the likes of Upper Dublin, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Cheltenham and owns wins over 6A playoff teams William Tennent and Harriton,

Key Players:

Jr. G Colson Campbell (15 ppg, 5 rebs, 3 assisi)

Sr. C Sean Murphy (11 ppg, 7 rebs)

Sr. G Alex Best (8 ppg, 3 rebs, 3 assists)

Fr. G Brayden Martin (8 ppg, 3 rebs)

Coach Dan Heiland says: “We are excited to be back in the District One 5A playoffs, having a home game in our gym in front of our community. We have been playing some good basketball the last couple of weeks with some tight games that felt like playoff atmospheres. We know it’s not going to be easy with the way Holy Ghost Prep has been playing, but we are looking forward to the challenge of hosting that talented HGP team. It should be a great matchup and fun game to be a part of.”

Holy Ghost Prep

12-10
Under first year head coach Tom Heston, the Firebirds won nine of its final 11 games and is definitely battle-tested.
Independent schedule includes games with the likes of Bensalem and Upper Dublin.
Holy Ghost’s top wins were over William Tennent, Pennsbury, Bensalem, Penn Wood, and Pope John Paul II.

Key Players: Jr. Adrien Varella, Jr. Zak Sharlin, Sr. G Gavin McLaughlin

Next up: The winner will play at #1 Unionville in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Class 4A

#4 Springfield Twp at Bishop Shanahan, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

7-15
Young and inexperienced team struggled against larger schools but showed steady improvement.
Big wins over Class 6A Hatboro-Horsham & 5A Lower Moreland, part of three straight wins in their five final regular season games.

Key Players:

Jr. G Bob Hartman (13 ppg)

Jr. G Aiden Hood (11 ppg, 4 rpg)

Jr. G Brandon Thompson (14 ppg, 4 rpg)

Jr. F Ryan Bell

Soph. G Julian Ciasullo

Coach Rob Fusaro says: “We had a young team this season with no seniors on the roster. Our team is a tight-knit group that is very invested in our team and playing basketball. We ended the regular season on a strong note winning three of our last five games which helped us gain some strong momentum and confidence. Our team is looking forward to competing in the first round of districts.”