City of Basketball Love

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
--

The faces might be different, but the programs at the top of the Central League won’t surprise anybody.

Lower Merion, Ridley and Conestoga all graduated significant senior classes, but the trio will yet again be challenging with the likes of Garnet Valley, Penncrest, Strath Haven and the rest of the league for a spot in the four-team league playoff come February, as well as a spot in the district playoffs.

There’s going to be a number of new stars emerging, however, with a mix of several notable sophomores, juniors and seniors ready to make their impact at the varsity level.

Here’s a look around the league, featuring teams and players to know:

Favorites
It’s no surprise that Lower Merion is a favorite in the Central League. The Aces have had a winning record in Central League play for a dozen consecutive years, including going 35-0 between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, and are consistently one of the top programs in the league under longtime head coach Gregg Downer, who once upon a time coached a young man named Kobe Bryant and has more recently featured B.J. Johnson (La Salle), Darryl Reynolds (Villanova) and others. Now, it’s a strong sophomore class that has the Aces’ future looking bright, as Stephen Payne (6-1) and Jack Forrest (6-3) lead a strong group of 2019s that will bolster seniors Terrell Jones (6-4) and sharpshooter Noah Fennell (6-1).

The surprise team of last year’s Central League race was undoubtedly Strath Haven, which had a total of six wins in the two previous seasons but more than tripled that with 19 victories in the first year under head coach Dave McFadden. They do lose four starters off that team, including senior leader and 6-3 wing Alex Ischiropoulos, but returning is one of the most powerful big men in the area. John Harrar burst onto the scene last year as a 6-9, 230-pound forward, and he picked up some Division I attention this summer.

Runner-up each of the last two seasons, Conestoga should yet again be right there at the top, though head coach Mike Troy will have to replace a three-year starter in point guard Darryl Caldwell, who’s now at West Chester, plus guard M.J. Lezanic (Susquehanna), wing Andrew Larkin (6-3) and forward Jack Baker (6-5). Sharpshooting wing Charlie Martin (6-5), forward Angus Mayock (6-5) and guard Scott Shapiro (6-0) will be Troy’s senior leaders this year; they’re also high on the future of sophomore Zach Lezanic, M.J.’s younger brother.

Dark Horses
Two-time defending league champion Ridley will have to reload this season. Gone are Brett Foster (East Stroudsburg), Julian Wing (DeSales) and Ryan Bollinger (PSU-Harrisburg), three college-level players who shouldered a heavy burden for Mike Snyder’s Raiders the last few seasons. Liam Thompson returns as an experienced starter, and though Snyder has a number of seniors to fill in the gaps -- Damir Fleming and Jimmy Bramwell, most notably -- they aren’t nearly as battle-tested.

Penncrest and Garnet Valley will both ride strong guard play as far as they can. The Lions are led by junior guard Tyler Norwood, a scholarship-level prospect with a confident scoring game and a plus on-ball defender. Up front, senior Mike Mallon (6-3) is the best of a bunch that’s scrappy and undersized for head coach Mike Doyle. The Jaguars feature senior Brandon Starr and junior Austin Laughlin as returning starters, though another junior, Connor O’Brien, can also run the offense and score the ball. It’s a program that’s been on the rise under Mike Brown, not far removed from three-straight one-win seasons but fresh off a 14-win year and appearance in the district playoffs.

Players to Watch
Strath Haven senior forward John Harrar is the biggest body in the league at 6-9, 230, and he’s learned to use that to his advantage. Moves well for his size and, while not a leaper, can step out and knock down a mid-range jumper and has good hands as well. ...Lower Merion sophomore Stephen Payne is a crafty ball-handler who is a big-time scoring threat in the open court, and is on a Division I track. ...Penncrest junior Tyler Norwood is a little on the small size (5-9, 160) but makes up for it with a big-time confidence; plus outside shooter is crafty when he gets into the lane as well. ...Ridley senior Damir Fleming is a speedy bowling ball of a scoring guard, and though he’s a little streaky he can get buckets in bunches when he’s feeling it. ...Springfield (Delco.) senior Kyle Sullivan is a strong-bodied scoring guard with a smooth jumper and solid mid-range game. ...Garnet Valley senior Brandon Starr, as well as juniors Austin Laughlin and Connor O’Brien are three capable combo guards who will trade scoring duties on a nightly basis, though Starr (6-2) will lead the way. ...Conestoga senior Charlie Martin is a terrific outside shooter with good size (6-4) who’s now developing his ability to take defenders off the bounce and post up more often as well.

Predicted Top 5
1. Lower Merion
2. Conestoga
3. Strath Haven
4. Penncrest
5. Ridley