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 2024-25 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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The George School boys basketball team went from being the hunters to the hunted in just one season.

That’s what happens when you stun the entire Friends School League with your first title in school history. It’s not as if former Penn State men’s basketball player and current George School head coach Ben Luber didn’t expect it.

“Friends Central, ANC, Westtown, Friends Select, it’s a tough league. I think the year we got better the league took notice,” Luber said of the ‘23 run to the FSL title. “Every admission office started doing some different things. It’s not what it was for us, but I think it opened some eyes. It’s great. It will be very competitive this year.”

While the Cougars won’t run away with a FSL championship that doesn’t mean they won’t be very dangerous. They will be led by 6-foot-11 big man Luke Bevilacqua, who missed most of the season due to injuries last season. He’s still recovering but hopeful to be available before the season begins, and getting recruited all over the nation from La Salle to Notre Dame.

“Luke’s recruitment is all over the place from high majors to mid majors,” Luber said. “I think he will take visits right before the season. If not there will be plenty of guys who will come after him during the year.”

That’s not to say this will just be the Bevilacqua show either. George School will definitely have some capable guards led by transfer junior Peyton Miller, who’s shined in multiple offseason showcases this fall for the Cougars.

Miller, who transferred from St. Peter’s Prep, has flashed all sorts speed and ball-handling skills, scoring in double figures in the majority of George's preseason games, hitting tough shots from all over the court.

“I come to every game with the same mentality,” Miller said “I can play on the ball or off the ball, that’s what makes me such a dominant player. Just getting my teammates involved, that’s my game.”

Luber sees his blossoming guard so much more than just a slasher or scorer. Along with Bevilacqua he is capable of leading George back to the top of the FSL like it was in 2023, with Christian Bliss (Virginia) leading the way.

“He’s a breath of fresh air,” said Luber. “He’s a first-class citizen. He does everything in a first-class way. He looks you in the eye, tells you the truth. He doesn’t think he’s perfect. He’s a work in progress. His motor is like the energizer bunny. He doesn’t get tired. He plays fearless. He plays to win, all the things you want from a guard.”

How he meshes with Bevilacqua will be an interesting development to watch. That duo certainly has the potential to be dynamic on the court.

“It’s great to work with Luke,” Miller said. “He has a great IQ. He’s a big man. I’m a guard. We are on the same page a lot.”

Which isn’t to say Miller is the only guard on the roster. In fact, Miller may play more off the ball with freshman Ryan Melniczak running the show at times. While Miller dominates with his speed and slashing ability, Melniczak can beat you strictly with his ballhanding skills.

“He’s tough to stay in front of,” said Luber of Melniczak. “If anybody pressures us I expect them to handle it.”

A dangerous player to watch out for will be the development of 7-foot sophomore Ziyi Xiong, who very well could play the four alongside Bevilacqua. Filling out the rotation will be seniors Luke Melicznak and Reeve Sysko, alongside juniors Kasey Fleming, Max Kipper and Loic Makatadi, a 6-6 wing from South Africa.

“We don’t have the same level of talent as Christian Bliss, but I think our team defends at a high level,” Luber said. “We have great teammates. We have great roles on this team. We have some stars that will shine at different times. I like that.”

George School finished just 9-12 last season, 4-4 in the FSL. This year look for those numbers to improve this season and the Cougars to climb back up among the likes of Westtown and Friends Central.

“We graduated some of the best players in the country, if not in the state,” Luber said. “When you do that you expect everyone to have their best game against you. We had a brand new team. We lost four of five starters. Our lineup has changed a little bit. I kind of expected that. A letdown? Yeah, it’s time to climb back up.”