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Prepping for Preps '16-17: Lower Moreland

12/08/2016, 9:30am EST
By Rich Flanagan

Nick Smolda (above) and Lower Moreland have to replace a few key pieces from last year's state quarterfinal run. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)
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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 2016-17 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed so far can be found here.)

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Lower Moreland had not lived up the expectations it set for itself at the beginning of the 2015-16 season.

The Lions defeated Holy Ghost Prep in the quarterfinals of the Bicentennial League playoffs then were upended by eventual champion Phil-Mont Christian in the semifinals. They claimed the No. 1 seed in the District 1 Class 3A playoffs, advanced to the title game and were throttled by the Firebirds 74-54.

Two separate postseasons, two similar results.

Head coach Seth Baron needed to do something to jumpstart his team before the PIAA Class 3A Tournament began, which presented a wealth of challenges for his team.

He was contacted by then Conwell-Egan head coach Frank Sciolla and they arranged a pre-postseason scrimmage between their two clubs. Playing against a team which featured players that had been integral parts to Conwell-Egan’s 2015 state title such as Vinny Dalessandro and LaPri McCray-Pace was exactly the test Baron’s team needed and he credits that scrimmage to what they went on to accomplish in the state playoffs.

Lower Moreland (21-6, 9-3 in the BAL Independence) made 14 3-pointers in its opening round win over Milton Hershey then defeated previously-undefeated Pottsville in the second round. The run ended with the team’s first ever trip to the quarterfinals, falling to eventual champ Neumann-Goretti, 78-52.

“Last year, we were not happy with the early exit from the [BAL] tournament because we expected to be in that final game and we weren’t happy coming up short in districts,” said Baron, now in his 6th season at Lower Moreland. “As far as the scrimmage goes, that was a tough scrimmage and it put us in the mindset that even after taking those couple of hits in the [BAL] and districts we were able to go further in states than any team in school history. We walked away a little pushed around but prepared to play some really tough competition.”

The two players who spearheaded that run were current college freshmen Danny Duffey (Gettysburg College) and Tyler Millan (Kings College). Duffey, the two-time BAL MVP, averaged 20.0 points per game during his senior campaign, scored a career-high 41 against Pottstown in the state playoffs, and finished his career with 1,468 points. Millan was a BAL Independence All-League First Team Selection.

Also gone from last year’s team are Jake Fazio (Independence All-League Second Team), Mike Gould and Dicky Rhoads. Baron has a lot to replace at both ends of the floor this season but he doesn’t feel it’s conceivable to replace players like Duffey and Millan because of what they accomplished during their time.


Two-time BAL Player of the Year Danny Duffey (above) is now starting point guard at Gettysburg. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

“I don’t think you can really replace a [guy like] Danny Duffey. Also you have to throw Millan’s name out there. He was one of our senior captains and went on to play at the next level,” Baron said. “It’s going to be tough replacing them. As far as what those guys did, you find others to fill the holes they left. That’s where we are right now.”

The two most experienced players on Baron’s roster are Cobe Wiggins and Nick Smolda. Wiggins, a 6-3 senior forward/center and co-captain, will be tasked with providing scoring on the inside, controlling the glass and locking down the opposition’s best post player. Wiggins missed time with injuries last season but he’s healthy and ready for an extensive role this season.

Smolda, a 6-1 senior co-captain who can play multiple positions, scored 18 against Phil-Mont in the BAL semis, 19 points with five trey against Milton Hershey, and is the “most experienced guy on the team,” according to Baron.

Perhaps the player who will be asked the most of is 5-9 sophomore point guard Bryce Horn. Horn, in his first year as a starter, is "not scared to play at this level and loves to be challenged," Baron said. Horn will be taking over Duffey's position and asked to do a lot from the beginning. While there may be some growing pains, Horn is looking to be molded in the same way Duffey was under Baron.

Another senior who should have an expanded role this season will be 5-10 guard/forward Christian Zoubroulis, who Baron says he “expects to make a big impact.” Zoubroulis is another versatile player like Smolda who will be called upon to do a little bit of everything for the Lions. After those three seniors, the Lions have a lot of young players looking to step in and fill the void left by a heralded senior class.

Christian’s brother, Jordan Zoubroulis, a 5-11 sophomore forward, is a player who will be called upon to play big minutes. Two more sophomores expected to make big contributions are 5-11 forward Jake Himmelstein and 5-9 guard Shane Cohen. Cohen will be looked to give the Lions a much needed shooting option and Baron is “looking forward to [having Cohen] continue to develop.” Dan Shimon, a 6-1 junior forward, will be battling alongside Wiggins on the glass while providing some offense of his own. Frankie Rosario, a 5-9 junior guard, is another player to watch as Baron looks to maximize the talent on his bench.

Lower Moreland is at its best when it’s able to stifle the opposition with its full-court press by forcing turnovers and converting them into easy points. In the half court, the team’s ability to drive and kick out to shooters like Smolda will be a major part of their game plan. Baron’s teams have been known for their tenacious play and this season will showcase that to an even greater extent as Wiggins is the lone player with above-average size.

“We don’t put too many 6-5 kids out there so you counteract that with sheer grit. We train our kids to play hard,” Baron said. “If someone utilizes their height advantage over us, hats off to them but we’re going to box out hard and crash the boards. We try to pressure the ball and make it tougher for them to get the ball inside.”

The Lions open the season Friday against Council Rock South at Hatboro-Horsham in the Hatters Tip-Off Classic. They have their work cut out for them playing in a conference which boasts Church Farm and Holy Ghost, a team they played four times total last season. Barons does not want his team to focus on last season and feel it needs to reach that height again. He wants them to take something from each game and develop into one, cohesive unit. It won’t be easy but that’s when they’ll be able to start competing with the better teams at the District 1 and state level once again.

“We have a young team with a couple of veterans but you have to make [team] goals manageable. We’re still in the process of talking to guys about that stuff. One of our goals is focusing on the next game,” Baron said. “I think chemistry is something we’re striving for as we lost five of our top eight rotation players. It’s a completely different rotation. It’s going to be work and they’re going to have to work at creating that team chemistry and discipline.”


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