City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) +
Josh Verlin (@jmverlin)
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The Ches-Mont League has six teams in its postseason format for the first time this year. The top three teams from the American and National divisions qualified, the division winners each getting a first-round bye and the No. 2 and No. 3 finishers from each side facing each other. 

There are three legit district contenders in the league this season who look like the favorites to capture the crown, while three others are looking to make underdog runs to a title. Unionville, which well to Downingtown West in last season’s title game, is the repeat champ in the American Division and has a win over National Division champ Coatesville on its resume. 

The Longhorns and Raiders are the top dogs, while Henderson will likely have a say as well. Then there’s West Chester Rustin, Sun Valley and reigning champ Downingtown West. Here’s a quick look at the teams and first-round matchups. Henderson and Rustin tip things off Wednesday at Rustin, followed by Downingtown West and Sun Valley on Thursday. The winners head to Saturday’s semifinals at West Chester to face the division champs.

Here's a quick preview of the teams and matchups:

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A1) Unionville (20-2, 10-0)
The Longhorns have won 11 straight games since a Dec. 30 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh. The only other defeat was a Dec. 8 defeat to Malvern Prep. Coach Chris Cowles has a trio of senior guards to rely on in Ryan Brown (6-3), James “JT” Anderson (6-3) and Charlie Kammeier (6-2), who all bring a little something different to the table. Anderson’s one of the best passers around. Sophomore 6-5 wing/forward James Brenner is the top college prospect on the team with a couple of D1 offers. Senior 6-7 forward Nick Diehl is a Tulane baseball commit, but doubles as a really good high school basketball forward as well. Saturday’s win over Coatesville gives Unionville the label of “favorites” but they know the path to the league tile is tough.

N1) Coatesville (16-6, 11-1)

The Raiders didn’t reach the four-team league playoff but returned this season with a lot back from last season’s state playoff team. Senior guards Dior Kennedy (6-3) and Zuri Harris (5-11_ are two of the best in District 1. Coach John Allen has plenty behind them in lengthy 6-2 senior sharpshooter Marquis Peoples, 6-foot senior Will Fowlkes, 6-foot junior Amon Fowlkes and 6-7 sophomore forward Larry Brown. Coatesville’s lone league loss was a 62-57 Jan. 4 defeat to Henderson they avenged last week with a 61-44 win. The only other defeats in 2024 are to powerhouse Camden (N.J.) and the 47-45 loss to Unionville on Saturday. 

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N2) West Chester Henderson vs. A3) West Chester Rustin
Weds., 7 PM, Henderson

Henderson split its regular-season matchups with Coatesville, a surprise loss to Bishop Shanahan on Jan. 11 proving the difference for the division crown. Senior 6-3 guards Nyle Ralph-Beyer (Sacred Heart) and senior 6-1 guard Connor Fleet are both 1,000-point scorers who have held down the Warriors backcourt for the past three years. Senior 6-7 forward Nelson Lamizana has been a difference maker in the frontcourt for second-year coach Jason Ritter. Senior 6-7 forward Evan McFadden brings some more size to the table with senior guard Jesse Smith finding multiple ways to chip in.

Rustin’s biggest weapon is senior forward Chaz Davis, a bouncy 6-7 post who blocks shots at a good clip and can finish above the rim. Vince Mostardi has solid guard play in the form of junior guard Ben Malley, senior wing Ryan Jaross and junior Chase Hatton, all of whom move the ball well within Mostardi’s system to create open looks. Mostardi also doesn’t hesitate to go 10 deep, with senior Logan Day and junior Vince Iacone in particular giving them a nice pop off the bench.

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A2) Sun Valley vs. N3) Downingtown West
Thurs., 7 PM, Sun Valley

Sun Valley comes into the postseason hot, winning seven in a row before a season-ending loss at Unionville. The Vanguards switched to a zone defense midway through the season and made some roster changes and it’s worked out for head coach Steve Maloney. Sun Valley’s powered by senior forward Blaize Eldridge, senior guard Noah Griffin, and junior guards Aaron Freeman and Kaiden Robinson, all of whom are a problem on the offensive end. Junior sharpshooter Dino Diemidio gives them a presence off the bench.

The reigning champion Whippets will start their title defense on the road. Coach Stu Ross and his squad were able to build some momentum with six straight wins heading into the postseason after a three-game skid in the middle of January. Junior 6-4 wing Donovan Fromhartz is a terrific athlete who leads the offensive charge. Junior 6-7 forward Zeke Staz is back from injury this season to man the middle and Senior 5-10 point guard Antonio Lewis and senior 6-3 guard Alex Neuhaus are two of the other two options for Downingtown West.