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Prepping for Preps '21-22: Dock Mennonite (Boys)

12/09/2021, 12:15pm EST
By Jason Guarente

Jason Guarente (@JasonGuarente)

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(Ed. Note: This story is the latest in CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2021-22 season preview coverage. As we publish more, the complete list of schools previewed will be found here.)

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Mike Fergus (above) enters the 2021-22 season just two wins away from his 600th. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Forty-five years spent pacing a sideline can lead a coach to some big numbers. In Mike Fergus’ case, the number is 600. He’s two wins away.

One might expect the job to get old, maybe even tedious after so much time. It’s actually the opposite for Fergus. He has been rejuvenated with Dock Mennonite’s boys and is enthusiastic about his latest team.

The Pioneers have a talented mixture of youth and experience. They expect to continue their recent run of success.

“It’s a great group; I’m really excited,” Fergus said. “There’s a lot of potential here.”

It starts with the returning starters. Dock Mennonite has three back after finishing 12-9 and reaching the PIAA Tournament. The Pioneers lost to Executive Education for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Nathan Lapp, a 6-0 junior, is the No. 1 returning scorer at 12 points per game. He’ll be a centerpiece for the Pioneers.

“Nathan is really athletic,” Fergus said. “He’s really fast and really strong. He’s our leading rebounder. He does a lot of things for us. He’s a great leader.”

The other returning starters are junior Hoyt Bultje, a 6-3 center who averaged 5 points and is physical inside, and senior Tomir Johnson, a guard who scored 9 points per game and is an excellent shooter and defender.


Junior guard Nathan Lapp (above) is the leading returning scorer for the Pioneers. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Those three will help overcome the loss of Steve Martin, who was the team’s top gun, averaging 15 points.

Dock Mennonite is on an upward trend. The Pioneers are 95-37 overall and 58-15 in the Bicentennial League over the past five seasons. That stretch includes four state tournament appearances and the school’s first district title in 26 years years in 2020.

“We’ve had a very solid program,” Fergus said. “So our kids have expectations to be good every year, particularly in our league. I think we’ll be very competitive.”

There’s no reason to expect a step backward. Fergus has so many possible varsity contributors it’s difficult to mention them all.

Lane Bergey and Tyler Derstein, both 6-4 juniors, are up from the JV. Shayne Farmer is one of three seniors. Tony Martin is part of a talented freshman class that includes Ethan Kimble and Brayden Kratz. Sophomore Brian Dorneman and junior Owen Yuan should contribute.

MaRob Willis, a 6-6 senior, Vaughn Martin and AJ Washington are transfers that will likely make an impact.

That’s remarkable depth for a Class 3A school.

“There’s a lot of competition for playing time,” Fergus said. “We have a lot of experience, particularly this fall, with these new kids. They’ve really picked up our system fast. We’re definitely a team that’s going to improve as the year goes on. I would say by the end of the year we’ll be pretty good.”

Fergus, who has spent 40 years as a varsity coach, has the unusual distinction of winning 100 games with four schools. He started at State College and has piled up victories at Robert E. Lee in Houston and North Penn. He reached 100 at Dock in January.

Winning will keep you feeling young and Fergus is winning as much as ever. Dock is eyeing another trip to the PIAA Tournament and another strong run through the BAL.

The goal is 600 and beyond.

“There’s a lot of good teams that we have to play,” Fergus said. “With a group this young, I don’t want to put any pressure on them. I want to develop them as best as I can.”


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