City of Basketball Love

Michael Bullock (@thebullp_n)
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While we ran our pre-tournament peek at District 3’s Class AAAA and Class AAA events late last week, here’s our look at the Class AA and Class A playoffs.

Class A will open Tuesday night with four games. Class AA, meanwhile, will have two encounters going on Wednesday. Quarterfinal-round play will take place on Friday (A) and Saturday (AA), respectively.

Brackets can be found here.

CLASS AA
Attempting to defend a championship with the same group of players is difficult enough, but repeating with almost an entirely different collection of individuals is next to impossible — for a number of fairly obvious reasons.

Well, a year ago at nearly this time, a refurbished Trinity outfit pulled it off. In fact, Larry Kostelac Jr. and his youthful Shamrocks were able to fight off a scrappy Columbia side 45-33 in the District 3-AA title game and hoist yet another crown.

That’s right, two straight.

Oh, and by the way, since 1991 Trinity has collared 13 3-AA championships.

Is another just a few weeks away? We’re about to find out.

THE TOP SEEDS
1. CAMP HILL (16-5) — In splendid position to capture the Mid-Penn’s Capital Division title — or a share of it — Scott Barrows’ Lions watched that opportunity slip away with losses to Middletown and cross-town rival Trinity. So, the survivor of the opening-round game between Newport and Columbia better tread lightly when it strolls into Camp Hill on Feb. 20. Although Barrows didn’t have much time to work with many of his veterans during preseason training camp — an elongated football season involved a number of players — he’s done quite nicely in his first season at the helm. Sophomore shooting guard Casey Caruso (16.2 ppg/39 treys) leads the Lions in scoring, but dependable 6-5 forward David Fetrow (13.8 ppg) draws plenty of attention inside and so does 6-7 soph Zack Kuntz (9.7 ppg). Penn State football recruit Michael Shuster and veteran lead guard Mark Leach also play key roles in Camp Hill’s nine-man rotation.  

2. TRINITY (16-6) — Since Kostelac’s Shamrocks bounced away from their regular-season finale at Boiling Springs having won seven of eight, it’s possible that Trinity has shrugged off its early-season troubles. If so, a three-peat is a distinct possibility for a Shamrocks side packing all sorts of size that will open 3-AA play at home against Delone Catholic or Antietam. Particularly since veterans such as 6-3 Austin Gilbertson (14.8 ppg), 6-4 Timmy Edwards (15.9 ppg), Sean Good (9.1 ppg) and 6-9 Mount St. Mary’s recruit Jack Vukelich (6.8 ppg) played key roles in last year’s 3-AA title run. Factor in physical 6-2 guard Marcus Hall and 6-5 soph wing shooter Jack Bucher (7.0 ppg/29 treys) and there’s plenty to like about the ‘Rocks. By the way, the 6-11 Good (just a sophomore) also averages 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per.

3. YORK CATHOLIC (17-5) — Ousted in their District 3-AA opener last season by YAIAA Division III playmate Delone Catholic, a deep Fighting Irish side has a chance to generate much more noise this time around. Of course, an opener against dangerous Lancaster Mennonite (York Catholic won the regular-season scrap 70-60) is no gimme for a club that starts five underclassmen. Junior veterans Andrew Forjan, Kyle Derowski and Steven Nigro brought back plenty of experience, but first-year coach Blaine Claiborne has seamlessly worked York High transfers Melik Martin and D’Andre Davis into the Irish lineup. Seniors such as Eddie Smith, Joe Bauhof, Zach Echevarria and Alex Reichart-Anderson add pop off the bench. 

4. UPPER DAUPHIN (20-3) — Possessing high hopes each of the past two seasons following terrific runs through the Tri-Valley League, Anthony Weaver’s Trojans soon found themselves on the sidelines after back-to-back trips to Hanover. Well, guess who is making the trek to Elizabethville’s Gordon Foster Gymnasium for this year’s 3-AA opener? That’s right, Hanover. And with a veteran bunch in place — albeit without much size — Weaver’s group is hoping to play in the semis at Hershey’s Giant Center and much more. Could happen, too, since seniors such as Matthew “Mookie” Miller (20.0 ppg), Jordan Gessner (13.1 ppg), Alex Uhler (9.8 ppg), Travis Deitrich (8.9 ppg) and Calen Reigner (7.1 ppg) have plenty of experience. Remember, too, that Weaver’s Trojans headed for the TVL title game riding a 16-game winning streak.

DANGER BELOW — No. 5 Hanover (16-7) sports a strong backcourt trio of Kyle Krout (21.9 ppg/46 treys), Will McQueen (11.1 ppg/18 treys) and Hunter Martz (11.0 ppg/48 treys) and will provide issues for a smallish UD side with its physicality. … No. 6 Lancaster Mennonite (12-12) will not be overlooked despite its overall lack of size and postseason experience. That’s because Geoff Groff’s Blazers field a guard-heavy bunch headlined by junior Richard Rosas (14.1 ppg), senior Kyle Kerr (12.4 ppg) and sophomore Carter Hurst (9.6 ppg). And while Mennonite may have fashioned a .500 regular season, Groff’s Blazers sidelined Section 2 champ Lebanon in the Lancaster-Lebanon League quarterfinals in two overtimes and dropped a 58-56 decision to two-time defending champion Cedar Crest in the semis.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin Gilbertson, Trinity, 6-3 junior — Able to finish (14.8 ppg) and facilitate (5.6 apg), the flashy Gilbertson brings a sort of Maravich-like flair to the floor whether the returning all-state selection is leading the break and snapping off a slick pass or knocking down one of his area-code jumpers (36 treys). And while his socks typically aren’t the floppy grays the Pistol preferred, Gilbertson’s footwear is typically quite unique.

David Fetrow, Camp Hill, 6-5 senior — Remarkably dependable and consistent, Fetrow (13.8 ppg) can be a force in the painted area yet has the ability to slide to the perimeter and bury a mid-range jumper as he did just prior to the buzzer in the Lions’ 60-58 victory over previously undefeated Milton Hershey. Undecided on his future destination, a number of Division III programs would like to have him come on board.

Andrew Forjan, York Catholic, 5-11 junior — Not too many youngsters have the opportunity to play regularly in a history-laden building that bears his grandfather’s name, but the energetic Forjan calls York Catholic’s James Forjan Gymnasium home. The son of former Fighting Irish star and Penn State guard Jimmy Forjan, Forjan is the metronome for Blaine Claiborne’s deep club. And that can mean pushing the ball on the break, directing traffic in the press, knocking down a jumper or burying a clutch freebie.

Jordan Gessner, Upper Dauphin, 6-1 senior — One of those crafty lefties who always seems to have his hands on the ball in ticklish situations, Gessner catalyzes a Trojans attack packing lots of capable pieces. Filled with confidence and results-driven chops, Gessner (13.1 ppg) can the ball to teammates in the right spots yet also can finish. Just check out his gaudy numbers (16 pts/18 rebs/7 assts) in the Tri-Valley semis.

ORDER OF FINISH (three advance to states)
1. Trinity
2. Camp Hill
3. York Catholic 

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CLASS A
While each of District 3’s other classifications could feature repeat possibilities, that won’t be the case in Class A — and it’s not because York’s Impact Academy failed to qualify for the 12-team field. It’s because the tiny school is closed.

So, District 3 will celebrate a new champion.

Will it be an undefeated York Country Day outfit that’s wheeled past all 19 of its regular-season opponents to date or will it be a surging Millersburg side that fell to Impact in last year’s title game yet is headed to the Tri-Valley League championship game sporting a nine-game winning streak or will it be someone else?

We’re about to find out.

THE TOP SEEDS
1. YORK COUNTRY DAY (19-0) — Maybe it’s fitting that the tiny York school’s mascot is the Greyhounds, because these guys have run past everyone they’ve encountered and won most of their games by significant margins. And with one more regular-season scrap remaining against a Carson Long club that’s already been drummed 70-37, Corey Stiles’ bunch likely will enter its 3-A opener against Veritas Academy or New Covenant with a perfect mark. Fueled by the junior trio of Jordan Ray, DeAireus Brown and D.J. Hamilton, Stiles’ ‘Hounds like to use the press to jack up the tempo, create turnovers and get the game trending their way as quickly as possible. Thus far, it’s worked.

2. MILLERSBURG (17-6) — On a serious uptick since the calendar changed, Todd Wingard’s Indians are 12-1 in 2016 and will head into the Tri-Valley League final packing a serious head of steam. And with two key cogs back from the team that dropped a 65-59 decision to Impact Academy in the 3-A final yet rebounded to win a pair of state games, the ‘Burg may be looking to claim its seventh district crown. Packing plenty of beef inside in 6-1 widebody Christian Keiter (16.4 ppg) and 6-3 Matt Snyder (8.9 ppg), the Indians also have a couple of dangerous deep shooters in 6-1 Christian Wingard (14.0 ppg/44 treys) and 6-1 Paeton Warfel (11.1 ppg/53 treys). A dangerous opener at Manning Gymnasium against the Greenwood-High Point survivor awaits.

3. WEST SHORE CHRISTIAN (18-6) — Fourth in last year’s District 3-A fray, the Bobcats still sport several veterans from a club that was victimized in the opening round of the state tournament by eventual champion Constitution. Ouch! And while first-year coach Mark Graybill hopes to guide West Shore back to states, step No. 1 in beginning that quest involves a difficult opener against a Tri-Valley League opponent — either Halifax or Lancaster Country Day. Although not packing much size, high-scoring senior guard Jake Keeports (24.1 ppg/15 treys) revs a Bobcats attack that usually finds ways to finish. Classmates Nick Songster (15.9 ppg/27 treys) and John Fisher (11.1 ppg/48 treys) also are capable scorers for the folks from Shiremanstown.

4. LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTIAN (16-7) — While Nate Long’s crew received a solid postseason test in the Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference semis against West Shore Christian — WSC prevailed 56-55 — they’ll need to rebound quickly since CCAC East champ and tournament finalist Mount Calvary likely will serve as the opposition in LCC’s 3-A opener. Long fields a balanced side featuring six players who average more than five points per outing. Senior forward James Hayward (12.3 ppg) leads LCC, which was awarded District 3’s fourth state berth last season once Impact Academy withdrew. Kyle Heck (11.3 ppg) is the Lions’ other double-figure scorer.   

DANGER BELOW — We’re going to highlight three programs here, starting with a Mount Calvary side (16-6) that checks in lugging the No. 5 seed. The CCAC West’s regular-season champs, Jared Griest’s Chargers are led by junior forward Jack LaChance (19.6 ppg/29 treys) and senior guard Andrew Toth (10.0 ppg/31 treys). Mount Calvary is just two seasons removed from an appearance in the 3-A final. … Packing four starters from a team that last season reached the second round of states, No. 6 Halifax (11-11) also could cause problems with a veteran nucleus spearheaded by Koby Bowman (10.6 ppg/24 treys), Connor Schadel (14.5 ppg/53 treys), Alex Scheib (10.0 ppg) and Dan Osenbach. Sophomore Luke Blasick (10.5 ppg) adds needed length up front for a Wildcats group that already owns a win over West Shore Christian. … And No. 10 Greenwood (10-12), with longtime mentor Kent Houser nearing 500 career victories, is always a tough out. Seniors Noah Wright (11.2 ppg), Seth Ferguson (10.8 ppg/27 treys) and Kevin Sheaffer (8.4 ppg/37 treys) are the Wildcats’ primary go-to guys. Houser’s bunch played Millersburg earlier this month, falling 58-54.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jordan Ray, York Country Day, 6-4 junior — Packing all sorts of length and athleticism — Ray starred at wide receiver during the football season — Ray is a double-double just waiting to happen every time he steps on the floor. Name a facet of the game and the Division I prospect is entirely capable of performing that task and with plenty of flair. Just a joy to watch on the floor, unless you’re parked on the opposing bench.

DeAireus Brown, York Country Day, 6-1 junior — While Brown’s abilities really came to light during last season’s District 3-AAAA tournament when he averaged 13.5 points per game in four outings, he traded in his Northeastern sweats and transferred to Country Day. Remarkably athletic and packing terrific lift, the combustible Brown can jump over wannabe defenders en route to the rim or beat the opposition from deep.

Christian Keiter, Millersburg, 6-1 senior — An absolute hammer in the painted area with an assortment of effective post-up and duck-under moves, Keiter is one of those highly appreciated blue-collar players with terrific feet who grinds his way to double-digit totals (points and rebounds) night-in and night-out. Banked career point No. 1,000 on Thursday night as the Indians squeezed into the Tri-Valley League title game. 

Jake Keeports, West Shore Christian, 6-0 senior — Remarkably productive when the basketball’s in his hands at the offensive end of the floor, Keeports will head into the CCAC tournament final with more than 1,300 career points. In his first 24 games this season, Keeports reached double digits each and every time. He’s also banked 20 or more points 16 times and 30 or more points on four occasions.   

ORDER OF FINISH (four advance to states)
1. York Country Day
2. Millersburg
3. Halifax
4. Lancaster County Christian