City of Basketball Love

By Andrew Robinson (@ADRobinson3)
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With the first month of the high school season wrapped, and some teams already close to having played half their allotted regular season contests, it was a good time to scan records and power rankings.

Certainly, a lot of teams that were expected to be strong have demonstrated it thus far. On the other hand, there are quite a few surprises across the board with some teams expected to rebuild instead finding themselves among the early top teams in the standings.

Conference play has started for some leagues while others are about to get into the thick of it starting this week. There are still a handful of marque showcases on tap for the girls’ side this month with prime matchups yet to be played as well.

Here’s a quick look at a handful of teams that could qualify as surprises after a month of games:

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BOYS

Bensalem
Record: 9-1, 6-0 SOL Patriot
The Owls have almost equaled their win total from 22-23 already and following a year outside the District 1 6A playoff field, coach Ron Morris’ group is position to battle for a first-round bye as 2024 begins.Bensalem has won five in a row since its lone loss to WC Rustin, including two high-scoring wins over Norristown and Lincoln in its annual holiday tournament this past week. Seniors Antonio Morris and Nate Morris have led the charge in their final season playing under their dad while juniors Jaidyn Moffitt and Amir Drummond have emerged as consistent contributors on both ends of the floor.

Radnor
Record: 7-1, 4-1 Central League
It’s (almost) an entirely new cast but the Raptors are doing a lot of what they did a year ago by winning games and sitting near the top of the District 1 5A rankings. First-year coach Tim Smallwood took over a team losing four starters from the best team in program history and kept them winning. Seniors Michael Savadove and Henry Pierce, neither a stranger to pressure games as standouts on the Raptors’ outstanding lacrosse team, have led the way in their first year as starters while senior Elijah Sellers has also seized on his first opportunity to play.

Cheltenham
Record: 8-1, 5-0 SOL Freedom
The Panthers were knocked from the top of the division and missed the District 1 playoffs last season but they’re out to an undefeated start in the SOL Freedom and the winners of eight straight since a season opening loss. Senior wing Kevin Addison and junior guard Josiah Hutson led the way in an upset win over reigning District 1 and SOL champion Plymouth Whitemarsh. The win cements Cheltenham a a legit contender in both the league and the district.

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GIRLS

Haverford
Record: 8-1, 4-1 Central League
Last year’s District 1 6A runner-up had a lot to replace after losing all-state forward Caroline Dotsey (Maine), Mollie Carpenter (Catholic) and Sky Newman. A 10-point loss to undefeated Conestoga in the second fixture of the season is the Ford’s only blemish so far and an impressive overtime win on the road at Garnet Valley has Haverford right on the Pioneers’ heels. Senior Anyia Eberhart, a recent Millersville commit, and juniors Rian Dotsey and Natalie Wright have embraced their expanded roles and stepped in as the new core for coach Lauren Pellicane with the Fords entering 2024 No. 3 in the District 1 6A rankings.

Radnor
Record: 8-1, 5-0 Central League
The Raptors find themselves as the top team in the District 1 5A power rankings as 2024 begins, fresh off a championship in the annual George Snear tournament last week. Despite graduating some lead players from last season’s district qualifier, Radnor’s started the season strong thanks to a breakout season from sophomore Nyah Yao. Senior Kate Gallagher, an Army lacrosse recruit, is a lockdown defender while senior Blayse Jennings has put together a nice season thus far. The Raptors’ next three are all pivotal tests against usual Central League powers Garnet Valley, Conestoga and next week against Haverford.

Central Bucks East
Record: 9-1, 5-1 SOL Colonial
After their first loss of the season came in a surprising manner - scoring just 15 points against a solid CR South team - the Patriots rebounded with three wins and a bracket title in Florida. Coach Liz Potash has a pretty young team, captains Anna Barrry and Chantal Van Dongeren are the only seniors, but it hasn’t shown in the way East has been playing. Barry’s one of the best shooters around, sophomore Jess Lockwood is having a breakout season, classmate Natalie Berndt brings some more experience and freshman Haley Moran has carved out a niche as the team’s bench spark. Junior Sydney Ralph and Van Dongeren anchor the defense for the Patriots, who got through the first half of the Colonial without a loss but will be tested in their remaining crossover games and the second time through the division.

Academy of Notre Dame
Record: 8-2, 0-0 Inter-Ac
The Irish underwent a lot of change leading up to the season. After coach Lauren Power left to take over league rival Germantown Academy, assistant coach Terry Mancini took charge and has navigated Notre Dame to a strong start. Departed starters Annie Greek and Katie Halligan have been replaced by a pair of talented freshmen in Riley Davis and Grace Nasr while senior Lizzie Halligan (Scranton) has been solid and juniors Chloe Knox, Catie Kelly and Sophie Hall have solidified themselves in the rotation. A big week with league games against GA, Penn Charter and a Sunday clash with undefeated Upper Dublin will be a good test.