City of Basketball Love

Ryan Coyle (@RyanCoyle35)
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The William Tennent Spring League is midway through its six-week schedule, the fourth week of competition taking place Wednesday night between the dozen area squads taking part. 

Here’s a notebook from the action:

Townsend ready to carry experience into big senior season

While Neshaminy’s boys basketball program is losing first team all-league Patriot Division guard Sean Curley to graduation, head coach Mark Tingle returns one of the most experienced duos in the Suburban One with Emeer Coombs (2nd Team) and Nate Townsend (1st Team) from last season for their senior years.

“Coach has been really telling me and Emeer that he is going to be counting on us this year as leaders due to our experience and knowing what it takes to be a good team,” Townsend said. “We know the type of team we can be, it is just going to be on us as seniors to make sure we stay together to accomplish our goals.”

Last year Neshaminy went 15-10, including a win over Boyertown in the District 1 6A playoffs. Townsend and Coombs combined to average 23.8 ppg last year between the two and they should form one of the more formidable duos in the league.

Townsend plays a unique point forward type role, playing in the interior a lot on the defensive end with his 6-2 frame being one of the bigger bodies on the Neshaminy roster. But, on the offensive end he has the ball in his hands on the perimeter a whole lot and showcased the ability to hit the outside shot, as well as make some nifty passes in 57-56 win over CB West that saw Coombs hit two free throws with 0:00 on the clock to secure the win.

“I am glad to have him by my side again,” Townsend said with a laugh talking about Coombs. “We are a very experienced combination and know how to play with each other and that is only going to help us more and more as we get ready for the season.”

Additional players that are going to be counted on to step up this season for Neshaminy include Ryan Meehan, Dan Raivitch, and Guy Horton. Their size and ability to matchup with some teams that can throw several 6-4 and 6-5 bodies at them could be what harms Neshaminy the most this coming season, but offensively their pace and space style offense that features a lot of dribble drive and backdoor action is going to cause issues for other teams to defend. 

“We had a good season last year, felt good to get that playoff win, but I feel like with what we return we can accomplish even more next year,” Townsend said. “I am excited to see how me and Emeer can play together again with all this experience we have picked up and have a great senior season for our team.”

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Young CR South aiming for playoffs

After a 5-17 season in 2022-23, the Council Rock South boys basketball program has one major goal out in front of them for the upcoming campaign.

Make the playoffs.

“What we have laid out as staff and to the kids is that the goal this year is to just get in the playoffs,” assistant coach Elmer Kelley said. “Doesn’t matter how we do it, it doesn’t need to be pretty, just find your way into the bracket and go from there.”

The Hawks lost five seniors that played consistent minutes in their rotation last year, including forward Matt Robinson who earned 2nd team All-League last year in the SOL Patriot Division. They do return honorable mention guard Timmy Rahill, who averaged 11.1 ppg last season, but was not in attendance for the Hawks two wins on Tuesday night over Hatboro-Horsham and an undermanned Plymouth-Whitemarsh squad.

“We are a young group, it is going to take a lot of time to get them all going at the varsity level, but the more we get them out here playing, the better they are going to be,” Kelley said. “Losing Matt Robinson hurts a lot, he isn’t a guy you just go out and replace, it is going to have to be a collective effort to fill his production.”

Rising senior forward Gabe Cerulli looked ready to step up into a more prominent role this year after serving as a bench piece last season and will be relied on next to Rahill to lead a young Council Rock South squad this season.

“We are counting on him to use his experience from last season and continue to develop into a big piece for this team,” Kelley said.

Other players expected to step up and fill out the rotation for the Hawks this year include Ray Haglund, and Ryan Delp, who were JV players as freshman a year ago but look ready to make the jump to the varsity level according to the coaching staff, as well as rising junior Ryan Wekluk.

“We know we are young, but we are seeing the guys following what we are teaching and are buying into our principles,” Kelley said. “We are going to keep building this thing, get them playing as much as possible in this league and the Mayfair league and keep working towards that goal of the playoffs.” 

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Quick Hits

— Central Bucks East rising senior Tyler Dandrea looks primed to be of the players to make a substantial jump in terms of production this upcoming season. After being primarily a rotational piece and down the pecking order in terms of offensive opportunities behind seniors Kyle Berndt and Joey Giordano, the 6-3 lefty should form a formidable backcourt duo with Jacob Cummiskey. Dandrea showed the ability to score at all three-levels in a victory over CB South on Wednesday night and used his frame to create his own shot a number of times.

— Rising Council Rock South senior Gabe Cerulli looked the part of a potential small college prospect in two victories on Wednesday night. The 6-5 forward showcased some strong athleticism blocking multiple shots, including a few pins to the backboard and ability to use his hops to control the glass. Cerulli attacked the basket off the bounce and had a nice touch when finishing around the rim. Division III programs should keep an eye out as he heads into his senior season and continues to refine his offensive game.