City of Basketball Love

By Dan Arkans (@danarkans)
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(Ed. Note: This story is part of 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 2023-24 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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To say the North Penn boys basketball team had a good season last year would be a gross understatement.

The Knights not only qualified for the PIAA Class 6A playoffs, but won their first state game in school history once they were there — defeating Central 64-52 before falling to Coatesville in the second round. It was certainly a season for the record books at North Penn.

However, this year’s team will have a very different look. Gone from that state playoff squad are seniors Ryan Zeltt, Ryan Deininger and Mario Sgro, and Teddy McAllister, who recently transferred to West Philadelphia.

“Replacing what we lost will be a tall order,” North Penn head coach John Conrad said. “I am pleased with where we are at. You never know until the games. The kids have been working real hard. You don’t know until the ball starts flying.”

Conrad is confident in his starting five, which will be led by seniors guard Norm Gee and swingman Corey Meade. Joining them in the starting five will be senior 6-foot-6 center Tre Simpson, junior guard Lee Hammond and junior guard Ahmaar Godhania.

“We are trying to make it back to the state playoffs and go further,” Gee said. “We have higher expectations this year.”

Juniors Nick Watts and Gabe Altemous (6-6) are players who can fill roles off the bench. However, the rotation may be a tight one at least to start. Conrad expects to get contributions from his bench as the season progresses, but the starting five will carry North Penn.

“I think our first five are very good,” Conrad said. “I am pleased with where they are at. They have good collective IQ. Probably our area of concern will be our depth. Right now it's our depth. That’s our concern.

“Those five (starting) guys have had success in summer league, in fall league. We are going to have to find some other guys to bring in. I don’t think it’s going to be a deep or long bench until we find out who those guys are.”

The Knights lack experience, with only Gee and Meade returning from the starting lineup. Still, Gee, for one, believes this team will be better.

“I think our chemistry is better,” Gee said. “We all know each other. We all hang out after school. I feel like we are a good collective group. This year we have more chemistry.”

While Gee averaged more than 10 points per game last season, it won’t be a one-man show. Conrad expects a speedy, balanced squad to carry the Knights.

“We have had a good showing the last couple of years (in the postseason),” said Conrad, who is entering his 12th year at the helm of NP. “I think that’s where the guys want to get back. I think they have that in their minds themselves. It’s a competitive group.”

Gee expects to be more of a leader on and off the court. The senior point guard is looking forward to being a facilitator this year, getting the ball to Godnania, for one. 

“I gotta give a shoutout to Ahmaar,” Gee said. “He’s going to be our leading scorer. I have to get him the shots. (But) it can’t just be him. It’s going to have to be multiple guys.”

Even though Conrad expects a tight rotation, that does not mean the style of play will change. North Penn will continue to focus on speed, defense and transition play. Just gone will be the day of relying on one or two players.

“We need to work on our transition game,” Conrad said. “We need to beat teams down the court. We have to work on our shot. We are going to be a smaller team.”

That has not changed expectations for the Knights.

The good news is they will find out how they stack up right away. North Penn will open up at the Wissahickon Tournament on Dec. 1 with Wiss, Downingtown West and La Salle before venturing into Suburban One League Colonial action.

“They have been unselfish throughout all preseason,” Conrad said of the Knights. “They have been fun to be around, fun to work with. The chemistry has been great.”