Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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PHOENIXVILLE — Max Lebisky and Phoenixville boys basketball came into their season opener against Sun Valley ready to make a statement. 

Though they won just 10 games a year ago, the Phantoms had all five starters back in the fold, more size than most teams in District 1, some burgeoning young talent and a coach with a proven track record in Eric Burnett. They might not be the preseason favorites in the Pioneer Athletic Conference or District 1 Class 5A fields, but they know they’ve got the pieces to make a run at both.

Consider the rest of the area now officially on notice.

The Phantoms needed a couple minutes of its season opener to find their rhythm on both ends of the floor but ultimately advanced easily to the championship of their own tip-off tournament, Lebisky leading the way with a monster double-double in a 74-40 win over the Vanguards. 

“I think that just set us up for the season, knowing what we can do and showing people what we can do,” Lebisky said. “Showing people the spark that we have, the firepower that we can bring.”

Lebisky was dominant Friday night, putting together a 24-point, 16-rebound, five-assist outing. A 6-foot-5 point forward, Lebisky plays a combination of the ‘1’ and ‘5’ for Phoenixville, skilled with the ball in his hands and powerful in the post. 

He spent most of the first half playing point guard, scoring eight points and cleaning up the glass while his teammates built up a 41-19 lead. He took over in the third quarter, scoring 15 points in the period as Phoenixville opened its lead up to 32, with three three-point plays and everything else right around the bucket.

“I think it’s pretty much impossible to guard [him],” Phoenixville junior wing Deacon Baratta said. “He’s so big and so fast and he has handles, he can finish and he also creates for his teammates. He just took over tonight.”

That versatile skill set has a number of area Division III programs chasing after Lebisky for next year. Arcadia, DeSales and Misericordia all had coaches in the building for him Friday night, each coming up for a conversation postgame, and Lebisky said the University of Scranton is in the mix, as well. 

“It’s awesome, the support system they bring [...] knowing that if basketball’s not there, I can still be able to have a good college experience,” he said. “Obviously. the basketball aspect’s a huge [part] of it, the team I’m going to compete [on] and fit in.”

Baratta, whose father is former Penn forward Andy Baratta, contributed 17 points on 6-of-8 from the floor, the lanky 6-5 wing the beneficiary of several of Lebisky’s dimes. Senior guard Christian Cervino added 10 points and three steals. 

Lebisky and Baratta are only part of Phoenixville’s sizable frontcourt; 6-6 senior Aidan McClintock plays in the post as well, and 6-3 guard Bryce Absher adds more size on the wing. 

“Yeah, that’s definitely our strong point, our size,” Baratta said. “When we get it into Max and Aidan, [that] pretty much creates our offense because they can kick it to 3s and that’s our main way to score.”

Sun Valley led 9-6 approaching the midway point of the first quarter, but that was the high point for the Vanguards. Phoenixville ended the first quarter on a 22-4 run, Baratta scoring 12 in the opening frame and then immediately attacking a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to open the second quarter and keep the momentum rolling. 

The Phantoms have a game against Harriton, victors over Council Rock South in the opening game of the doubleheader, for the tournament title Saturday at 3 p.m. Pioneer Athletic Conference play starts later this month, and teams are unlikely to take them lightly.

“Yeah, I think it definitely set the tone,” Baratta said. “People know that we’re coming now, we’re not flying under the radar anymore. I feel like we have a target on our back now, and we just have to play through that.”

By Quarter

Phoenixville:  28  |  13  |  21  |  12  ||  74

Sun Valley:    13  |   6   |  11  |  10  ||  40  

Shooting

Phoenixville: 29-56 FG (4-15 3PT), 12-19 FT

Sun Valley: 13-43 FG (4-19 3PT), 10-22 FT

Scoring

Phoenixville: Max Lebisky 24, Deacon Baratta 17, Christian Cervino 10, Dawson Brown 5, Bryce Absher 4, Jehoash Leo 3, Anthony Cervino 3, Stephen Yurick 3, Aidan McClinton 2, David Meadows 2, Michael Venezia 1

Sun Valley: Stevenson Freeman 12, Kaiden Robinson 8, Blaise Eldridge 6, Ryan Bradley 5, Josh Yanonis 4, Justin Hickman 3, Julian Albrand 2

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Game 1: Harriton 57, Council Rock South 38

A big effort from Marquis Kubish lifted the Rams to victory in the opening game of the tournament. The Harriton senior guard went for 18 points, with 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals, a one-man wrecking crew that was too much for the Golden Hawks to handle. 

Kubish scored eight points in the first quarter as Harriton opened up an 11-6 edge, Seth Shaw (seven points) chipping in five during the second as the Rams built a 10-point halftime advantage. Fellow senior guard Jadyn Gaskins (11 points) helped Harriton close it out with eight fourth-quarter points, adding three rebounds, three assists and three steals to the effort. 
By Quarter

Harriton:     11  |  12  |  17  |  17  ||  57

CR South:   6   |   7   |  18  |   7   ||  38

Shooting

Harriton: 26-56 FG (2-14 3PT), 3-5 FT

CR South: 14-42 FG (5-21 3PT), 5-11 FT

Scoring

Harriton: Marquis Kubish 18, Jadyn Gaskins 11, Sean Gallagher 8, Seth Shaw 7, Cole Chodkowski 6, Max Seltzer 4, Henry Belcher 3

CR South: Timmy Rahill 13, Gabe Cerulli 7, Ryan Delp 6, MJ Thompson 4, Mike Burns 3, Jordan Getz 3, Ryan Wekluk 2