City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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We’re approaching the stretch run of the 2017-18 high school regular season, and the conference races are starting to heat up. So here’s Part 1 of a look at each of the area high school leagues and how they’re shaking out, with our revised pick for the winner of each league. For Part 2, click here.

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Bicentennial Athletic League

Lower Moreland has been the surprise of the BAL thus far, as the Loins (11-2, 8-0) have taken down both Church Farm and Valley Forge Military Academy. Junior Shane Cohen is a big part of that success; the 5-foot-7 guard is a scrappy scorer and can fill it up against bigger defenders. Classmate Bryce Horn is part of a supporting cast that has the Lions in first place on the league. The tallest team in the league by far, Valley Forge (9-2, 5-1) checks in at second place. 6-10 senior Abraham Deng and 6-9 senior Marius Ntwari have been doing their thing in the paint, and 6-3 senior Arion Lewis has increased his production by scoring more on the wing. Lower Moreland won the first meeting between the two teams in overtime, and don’t be surprised to see them match up again in the championship. Faith Christian Academy (11-1, 7-0) has only lost one game all year; its first one of the year against Pennridge. The senior duo of Landon Coyle and Charles Irvin have been leading the Lions so far this season.

Preseason Favorite: Valley Forge
Updated Favorite: Lower Moreland

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Central League

Count us among the many who doubted Penncrest heading into this season. Sure, the Lions returned the best player in the league (and District 1 5A), senior guard Tyler Norwood, but three starting seniors and several more graduated off last year’s District 1 5A champs, and it seemed like Penncrest was due for something of a drop-off as it acclimated several new players to the rotation. But the other returning starter, senior forward Chris Mills, plus junior forward Matt Arbogast and senior guard Justin Heidig have been just as strong as last year’s starters, and the Lions are 12-1 (7-1) and a game up on the rest of the Central League. That being said, there are several very strong contenders. Lower Merion beat Penncrest (at Lower Merion), though the Aces along with Garnet Valley and Springfield (Delco.) have two league losses. That’s the likely Final Four in the league, and any of that group could win it. Each of those other three teams have the necessary star power: Lower Merion has juniors Stephen Payne and Jack Forrest, Garnet Valley senior guards Austin Laughlin and Connor O’Brien, and Springfield has senior guards Mike Webb and Kyle Long.

Preseason Favorite: Lower Merion
Updated Favorite: Penncrest

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Ches-Mont League

The reigning champions of the American division, Great Valley currently sits atop the standings again this year. The Patriots’ (9-4, 5-1) only loss in conference was a 46-43 overtime loss at the hands of Unionville (7-4, 3-1). Last year’s conference player of the year, Liam Ward, a recent D-III Guilford College (N.C.) commit, is out to a terrific start for the Patriots. Matt Porreca, also a Guilford pledge, and Nate Graeff have both played big roles in their senior year. West Chester Rustin (5-5, 3-1) places second in the division, losing to Great Valley 55-54. The junior tandem of Jake Nelson and Tajir Asparagus has carried the Knights to their rank as the 14th seed in District One 5A. Bo Furey-Bastian and Wyatt Hockenberry have led the charge for Unionville, which places third in the division. First year head-coach Chris Cowles and the Indians are hoping to sneak in the final four at the conclusion of the year.

Bishop Shanahan’s (8-1, 5-0) win over Coatesville on December 19, followed by its victory over Downingtown West a week ago has the Eagles in first place of the National Division. Shanahan’s only loss comes at the hands of Plymouth Whitemarsh, the No. 1 team in the PIAA 6A state rankings. The senior tandem of Kevin Dodds and David Angelo have the Eagles playing their best basketball in a while. Downingtown East (7-4, 4-1) checks in at second place in the National Division after its 55-52 win over Coatesville a week ago. Senior Malik Slay is the main catalyst for the Cougars offense, while sophomore big man Andrew King is off to a great start this year. Jhamir Brickus is picking up right where he left off a year ago, the star sophomore once again leads Coatesville in the scoring column. The Red Raiders (9-4, 4-2) have lost to Shanahan and Downingtown East so far in the Ches-Mont. The District One 6A runner-ups have gotten strong efforts from senior big man Tyrel Bladen and sophomore guard DaPree Bryant.

Preseason Favorites: Great Valley (American), Coatesville (National)
Updated Favorites: Great Valley (American), Bishop Shanahan (National)

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Del-Val League

There’s certainly no sure thing in the Del-Val, which only began its 10-game round-robin league play just last week. At the moment, Chester is the only unbeaten (3-0), having downed Academy Park, Interboro and Glen Mills, but the Clippers (6-5) haven’t looked their typical dominant selves so far this season. Penn Wood (6-5, 1-1), which had its game against Academy Park called with a minute left on Tuesday night due to a massive fight, gets a huge boost with the return of senior Vontagoe Donzo from a broken wrist; the 6-5 forward showed his value with 13 points, six rebounds and six blocks in his season debut. Assuming that result holds, Academy Park (4-7, 1-1) will find itself a few games behind, but the Knights do have some pieces in Shermik Lofton, Derik Harrison and Naseim Harley. And don’t forget about Chichester (8-4, 2-1), which is led by seniors Da’Quan Granberry and Michael Davie. Penn Wood hosts Chester on Thursday night, and if the Clippers can win on the road, they’ll seize control. But if the Patriots hold serve, this thing is wide open.

Preseason Favorite: Chester
Updated Favorite: Penn Wood

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Friends’ School League

It’s going to be hard for any team to catch up to Westtown (12-7, 3-0); it looks like the Moose are well on their way to another league championship. Recently selected as a McDonald's All-American, Cam Reddish has been terrific for the Moose this year. The 6-8 senior guard dropped 53 points one game at a tournament in Washington D.C., and don’t be surprised if he does it again before the end of the year. Sophomore T.J. Berger, son of coach Seth Berger, has been inserted into the starting lineup and is playing the best basketball of his career. Even though they’ve dealt with injuries this year, the Gators of the Shipley School pose the greatest threat to Westtown. Senior and Binghamton commit Sam Sessoms was sidelined with an MCL injury, and sophomore Amyr Henry has a similar injury, but Sessoms is back on the court to give Shipley its best chance. Junior big man Ray Somerville has improved his touch around the basket, and sophomore Khai Champion took a big step up in the absence of Sessoms and Henry. If anybody can beat Westtown, it’s Shipley. But it’s still a long shot.

Preseason Favorite: Westtown School
Updated Favorite: Westtown School

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Part 2 coming soon: Inter-Ac, Philadelphia Catholic League, Pioneer Athletic Conference, Public League and Suburban One League