City of Basketball Love

Michael Bullock (@thebullp_n)
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Since District 3’s Class AAAA and Class AAA preliminary rounds are slated for Friday or Saturday, we’re going to take a brief glimpse at only those respective fields today.

As a result, we won’t roll out the Class AA and Class A portions until early next week since those tournaments sport later starting dates. Actually, those events will start on the same nights the bigger-school classes slice their fields from 16 to eight.

Brackets can be found here.

For those who may have forgotten, York has won the last two Class AAAA championships. Steel-High, meanwhile, claimed the Class AAA crown.

CLASS AAA
Undersized yet undeterred and while playing just a half-dozen youngsters, Steel-High captured its 15th District 3 championship a year ago by upending Bishop McDevitt 70-67 in a thrilling final at Hershey’s Giant Center.

And while Rick Binder’s Rollers check in at No. 12 — despite the return of starters Jaqui Jenkins, Jaron Grayer and Malachi Young — one never counts out this historically decorated program until the uniforms finally are turned in.

So, is yet another title destined for the tiny district that sits just south of Pennsylvania’s capital city? Maybe so, but check back in a few weeks. 

THE TOP SEEDS
1. MILTON HERSHEY (21-1) — Remarkably balanced and desiring to play at a rapid pace, Mark Zerbe’s Spartans have turned their tremendous run into a berth in Thursday’s Mid-Penn Conference title game and the top seed in the District 3-AAA playoffs. Four of Zerbe’s youngsters — DonYae Baylor-Carroll (14.1 ppg), Keonte Lucas (11.8 ppg), Darrien Richards (11.3 ppg) and Tyron Brown (10.3 ppg) — average in double digits for the Mid-Penn Capital Division champs. And that’s not it, since Juwon Owolabi (8.1 ppg), Ahmir Manning (7.1 ppg) and Jarin Lyons (7.0 ppg) also are capable finishers for a deep Spartans side that’s won its last eight outings. Sidelined by eventual semifinalist Manheim Central in last year’s round of 16, Zerbe’s bunch will open Tuesday against Lancaster Catholic or James Buchanan.

2. LAMPETER-STRASBURG (21-2) — Back in District 3 play for the first time in three seasons — L-S played at the Class AAAA level in 2013 — John Achille’s fundamentally sound Pioneers appear equipped for a lengthy stay. Capable of striking from deep or finishing a break with an emphatic flush, 6-4 junior Ben Sandberg (13.9 ppg/31 treys) is the top threat for a balanced L-S side. Senior Matt Achille (13.7 ppg) possesses an all-around floor game for the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s Section 3 champs, but he’s also capable of finding the basket. So are guards Luke Beers (8.5 ppg/22 treys), Connor Brown (8.0 ppg) and Isaac Beers (7.3 ppg/32 treys). John Achille’s lineup also possesses a bona fide on-ball stopper in Jordan Boynton. Ousted from the L-L playoffs by two-time champ Cedar Crest, L-S will open against Dover or East Pennsboro.

3. BISHOP MCDEVITT (16-6) — Although disappointed by their runner-up finish to Steel-High in last year’s 3-AAA tournament, Mike Gaffey’s Crusaders rebounded in states by sidelining Audenried and Allentown Central Catholic. Were leading in the quarters with 90 seconds to go, too, but a late rally pushed eventual champ Neumann-Goretti to the W. And while much of Gaffey’s attack flows through silky smooth 6-4 forward James Williams (21.4 ppg), burly 6-3 sophomore Tim Kater (12.5 ppg/49 treys), Bryce Hall (12.5 ppg) and Kobay White (9.5 ppg) also are viable scoring threats. Guards Nick Gemmell (9.4 ppg/32 treys), Alex Marsico and Jody Morales can finish, but may be even more valuable for their play at the defensive end and initiating the McDevitt offense. Will open against Manheim Central, which fell to the Crusaders in last year’s semis.

4. EASTERN YORK (19-4) — On a roll since mid-December — Jon Reichard’s Golden Knights wheeled into Thursday night’s YAIAA semis having won 16 of 17 — Eastern’s lone loss since then was to YAIAA Division II champ Northeastern. And that setback was by a mere two points. Eastern set up its semifinal-round scrap with Central York by turning back York Catholic, getting splendid production from Broguen Nicholas (20), Jared Achterberg (18) and Jarad Woods (16) in their 59-46 success. The Shippensburg-bound Nicholas and Achterberg provide the 1-2 punch for the Knights, with the former operating on the perimeter and the latter providing pop in the painted area. Dropped a 44-43 heartbreaker to Berks Catholic in last year’s round of 16, but will welcome dangerous Middletown to Wrightsville on Tuesday.    

DANGER BELOW — No. 5 Eastern Lebanon County (19-4) can light up scoreboards behind the dangerous trio of Colton Lawrence (21.5 ppg/41 treys), Mason Bossert (18.0 ppg/80 treys) and Caleb Buchmoyer (13.5 ppg/43 treys), but Brad Conners’ Raiders must find a way to get past No. 12 Steel-High (12-9) in its Tuesday opener. Jaqui Jenkins (24.3 ppg/50 treys), Jaron Grayer (12.7 ppg) and Malachi Young (10.0 ppg/30 treys) provide plenty of pop for Rick Binder’s reigning 3-AAA champs. … No. 6 Cocalico may be on the smallish side, but Travis Wealand’s Eagles have a couple of terrific perimeter snipers in Tucker Lescoe (19.1 ppg/61 treys), Aidan Trynosky (12.2 ppg/36 treys) and Moses Ulysse (9.2 ppg/15 treys). … No. 7 Palmyra (17-5) sports a terrific one-two punch in senior Austin Yetter (17.5 ppg/55 treys) and 6-5 junior Isaac Blatt (16.4 ppg). … No. 9 Berks Catholic (16-7) may be on the road at No. 8 West York (12-8), but Snip Esterly’s surging Saints have won 13 of 14 heading into Friday’s Berks County final against Reading. Tyrone Nesby (14.2 ppg) and Isaac Lutz (10.1 ppg) are the top scorers for BC, while Josh Bailey, Darian McCauley and Kenton Meckley headline Bill Ackerman’s Bulldogs. … Soph Ryan Hughes (19.0 ppg) and junior Luke Mrakovich (11.0 ppg) front youthful No. 13 Middletown (14-8). Chris Sattele’s Blue Raiders benefited from a Mid-Penn Capital Division that sent six of its seven teams to postseason play. … And No. 14 Manheim Central (14-8) will be a problem as long as Chris Sherwood’s rebuilt Barons have 6-8 junior Taylor Funk (21.7 ppg/52 treys) on the floor.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tucker Lescoe, Cocalico, 6-1 senior — Stronger physically than he was earlier in his productive career, Lescoe’s deep, deep abilities combined with his ability to get to the hole enabled him to become Cocalico’s all-time leading scorer (1.487). Unbelievably, that record had stood for 42 seasons. Although Lescoe (19.1 ppg/61 treys) had interest from every level, he committed earlier this week to D-3 Hobart where he’ll play alongside former Manheim Central star Matt Walsh. Former Annville-Cleona star and skipper Mark Linebaugh is on the Hobart coaching staff after a stint at Colgate.

Jaqui Jenkins, Steel-High, 6-1 senior — Blessed with all sorts of physical skills, Jenkins (24.3 ppg/50 treys) has followed up a terrific junior season with an even-better senior campaign for a Steel-High club that appears to be peaking at the right time. Possessing limitless range, Jenkins also causes plenty of problems for opposing offenses with his quick hands and long arms — whether Rick Binder’s Rollers are in zone or man. As a result, he’s often turning steals and turnovers into easy finishes in transition.    

James Williams, Bishop McDevitt, 6-4 senior — Although long and lean, Williams is a force up front every time he steps on the floor for Mike Gaffey’s remarkably athletic Crusaders. A dependable finisher (21.4 ppg) in the paint or in the mid-range, Williams also can get his mitts on plenty of opposing shots or cause opponents to change course when he’s prowling at the defensive end of the court. Has reached double figures in all 17 games he’s played for the Mid-Penn Keystone Division champs.

Colton Lawrence, Eastern Lebanon County, 6-3 senior — A threat every time he touches the basketball — whether on the perimeter or using his impressive lift in the paint — Lawrence (21.5 ppg/41 treys) will carry a school-record 1,457 career points into Elco’s district opener against Steel-High. Possessing a scholarship offer from D-I Virginia Military, Lawrence has a number of D-I and D-2 programs intrigued by his play. Some might even check into Myerstown Tuesday for his last game at home.

Ben Sandberg, Lampeter-Strasburg, 6-4 junior — Yet another of the standouts who call the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s Section 3 home — Lescoe, Lawrence, Taylor Funk (21.7 ppg/52 treys) of Manheim Central — Sandberg (13.9 ppg/31 treys) snugly fits into the team-first system preferred by Pioneer skipper John Achille. Not only will Sandberg beat teams from deep with one of his trusty jumpers, but he’s also capable of getting out on the break or flashing a post-up move inside. Quality player with a terrific upside.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (six advance to states)
1. Milton Hershey
2. Lampeter-Strasburg
3. Bishop McDevitt
4. Eastern York
5. Berks Catholic
6. Cocalico