City of Basketball Love

Josh Verlin (@jmverlin) +
Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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The PIAA Class 5A bracket has had a powerhouse rule the way for the last two seasons and after a fourth straight Philadelphia Public League championship and third straight District 12 title, Imhotep Charter looks like the top dog once again — a group of young talent supplementing arguably the best player in the state.

While no one can match the talent on the Panthers’ roster, there are quite a few experienced groups led by upperclassmen with strong resumes eyeing state titles of their own. Here’s a look at the contenders and teams to watch in the 5A boys’ bracket: 

Contenders

Archbishop Ryan (District 12-2, 17-9)
The Catholic League and District 12 runner-ups have one last shot at a trophy run, and Joe Zeglinski has the pieces to get it done. It starts with the Division I-bound senior duo of big man Thomas Sorber (Georgetown) and lead guard Darren Williams (Florida Gulf Coast), but Zeglinski has good depth behind them. Senior guard Ryan Everett has been playing great ball during the postseason, senior guard Rocco Morabito (Gannon) gives them size and defense as well as a quality secondary ball-handler, 6-6 senior wing Jaden Murray adds length and shooting ability, and there’s more, too. 

Abington Heights (District 2-1, 24-0)
The Comets are undefeated heading into the state tournament after defending their District 2 championship. Abington Heights has four starters averaging double figures and another adding more than nine points per game in senior 6-1 guard Ryan Nealon, senior 5-11 guard Will Marion (Scranton), senior wing 6-4 Mason Fedor (Wilkes), junior 6-2 guard Robby Lucas and sophomore 6-2 wing Jordan Shaffer. All of them shoot it well from deep. Abington Heights won the PIAA 5A title in 2018, but that was before Imhotep, which took down the Comets in the quarters last season, started playing in the division.

Imhotep Charter (District 12-1, 24-3)
The two-time defending state champs are certainly the favorite among favorites to make it back to Hershey, as Andre Noble has one of his most talented groups, a mix of ‘Tep veterans and some really talented underclassmen who are next up in his rapidly-growing list of Division I alumni. Senior guard Ahmad Nowell (UConn) is a singular force unmatched in the state, and he’s got great backcourt help from sophomore point guard R.J. Smith, junior guard Carnell Henderson, and sophomore wings Zaahir Muhammad-Gray and Latief Lorenzano-White, both 6-5 and high-ceilinged. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about 6-7 senior forwards Ma’Kye Taylor (Albany) and Jeremiah White, or 6-8 freshman Zion Green…yeah.

Moon Area (District 7-1, 23-3)
The Tigers, currently on an 11-game win streak, haven’t lost since a one-point loss to Hampton Twp. on Jan. 20 — one of two one-point losses this season to go along with a 10-point defeat to reigning 4A champ Lincoln Park in their opener. Senior 6-5 guard Elijah Guillory (Youngstown State) is the team centerpiece. Junior 6-4 guard Mikey Santicola and senior 6-4 guard Aiden Reesman are two more college-level talents with the starting five filled out by senior 6-1 guard Charlie Kepner and senior 5-10 guard Caden Schmidt.

Unionville (District 1-1, 23-3)
The District 1 champs for the first time since 1981, Unionville’s on a mission for some chocolate, as Chris Cowles has one of the most well-coached groups around. His starting five, four of whom were starters last year, bring a little bit of everything: size, shooting, passing, athleticism. The frontcourt features muscular 6-6 senior Nick Diehl and athletic 6-5 sophomore James Brenner, while the three-senior backcourt of James Anderson, Ryan Brown and Charlie Kammeier are all well-versed in Cowles’ system and mindset, never getting too high or too low. They’ll have to climb some big mountains to win five more games, but they’re as confident as any group around.

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In the Running

Exeter Twp. (District 3-5, 18-8)
The Eagles were one of the district favorites after making it to the state championship game a year ago, but were without several players due to illness in a district quarterfinal loss to Mechanicsburg, which has them playing out of the 3-5 seed instead. It’s a tough draw, going up against District 1 runner-up Upper Dublin in the first round with Imhotep almost certainly awaiting the winner. But first-year head coach Jeff VanGorder has a strong group led by senior guards Kevin Saenz (17.4 ppg), sharpshooter Reece Garvin (10.1 ppg) and St. Joe’s baseball commit Alex Kelsey at point guard.

Mechanicsburg (District 3-1, 20-5)
The Mid-Penn Keystone champs went on a run through the District 3 bracket, topping Hershey 63-47 in the championship for its first title in 29 years and just the second time in program history. It’s a junior-led group, starting with Josh Smith, an all-state football selection and also their leading scorer, though classmate Chance Yanoski averaged more than 20 ppg during their district run and fellow junior Justin Bardo scored 19 points in the district title game. They’re out in the western half of the bracket, away from some of the heavy hitters, so anything can happen.

Phoenixville (District 1-3, 20-7)
The Pioneer Athletic Conference champions are plenty dangerous, as head coach Eric Burnett has great size across the board, with the ability to cause some real mismatches. That starts with 6-5 senior Max Lebisky, a Swiss Army Knife who can play in the post and also serve as a point guard, with excellent handles and court vision. Sophomore point guard Dawson Brown (6-0), junior wing Deacon Baratta (6-5) and senior forward Aidan McClintock (6-6) have all been regular double-digit scorers.

Pocono Mt. West (District 11-1, 22-4)
The Panthers have been district runner-ups a few times in recent memory but finally climbed the ladder. They’ve got a terrific undersized ‘4’ man in junior Adrian Brito, an athletic-and-strong 6-5 post who puts in unlimited effort, and he’s also an improved pick-and-pop jump shooter. Sophomore guard K.J. Coles is a Division I prospect as well as head coach Rich Williams keeps it rolling up north of the Lehigh Valley. 

Upper Dublin (District 1-2, 21-4)
The Cardinals are making their first state appearance in more than two decades and have a leading man in junior 6-3 guard Ryan Mulroy capable of helping them make some noise. Upper Dublin will look to flush a lopsided District 1 title game loss that was the team’s first since the beginning of January. Junior 6-4 forward Idris Rines plays tough down low with the ability to play outside. Speedy sophomore point guard Kobe Bazemore and senior Brady Fogle are two of the top members of a rotation that has been tested against Class 6A schools throughout the year.

Franklin Regional (District 7-2, 22-3)
The Panthers were on quite a tear, winning 12 in a row before a loss to Moon Area in the WPIAL title game. Senior 6-5 forward/wing Cam Rowell, who scored 1,000 points in the championship game loss, and senior 6-foot point guard Cooper Rankin lead the way, both college level prospects. Senior 6-2 guard Fin Hutchison, junior 6-1 guard Connor Crossey and senior Colin Masten. To make up for the talent gap against some of the other top teams in the bracket, the Panthers will have to collectively win with their defense, which they’ve done this year.