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District 1 5A: First-Round Preview/Players to Watch

02/21/2017, 12:30pm EST
By CoBL Staff

Jamar Sudan (above) and Chester are undoubtedly the big name in the 5A bracket. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The 5A bracket is the PIAA’s version of the Wild West West: unexplored territory, up for grabs.

If there’s one Goliath in this classification, at least in District 1, it’s Chester. The eight-time state champions have by far the best resume of any program in the 5A classification, which is otherwise chock-full of teams who’ve been traditionally strong on the hardwood but had issues breaking through on the district/state level against previous AAAA powerhouses like Chester, Lower Merion, Plymouth-Whitemarsh and others.

So Larry Yarbray’s group opens as the favorite to emerge victorious at Villanova in two weeks, but there are plenty of capable contenders.

With seven teams from the district qualifying, a win in this round doesn’t guarantee a state berth -- but only one of those eight winners will ultimately miss out. Here’s a look at the eight first-round matchups (all games 7 PM on Weds., Feb. 22 unless otherwise noted):

First-Round Matchups
1) Chester vs. 16) Upper Moreland

The first team that will step up to take down the Clippers comes out of the Suburban One League, as Upper Moreland is one of a few AAA teams from a year ago who have bumped up to the 5A classification. The Bears closed the year out strong, winning five of their last eight, playing 6A No. 2 seed Plymouth-Whitemarsh within seven points as well. Matt Heiland doesn’t quite have the size to work with that Yarbray does, but he’s got an upperclassman-led group that’s got some reliable pieces. A pair of seniors, 6-3 Shane Stone (12 ppg, 9 rpg) and 6-5 Damian Washington (10.8 ppg, 42 3-pointers) lead the way in the scoring column; they also get contributions from 5-10 junior point guard Ryan Coyle, 6-2 senior guard Casey Decker, junior guard Brett Brossman and more.

But what they don’t have is anybody the size of Chester’s frontline. Seniors Jordan Camper (6-7) and Jamar Sudan (6-6) present a formidable challenge for most teams in the bracket, with their combination of size, length, athleticism and motor. The backcourt doesn’t have quite as much size with seniors Ahrod Carter, Larry Yarbray Jr. and Jahmeir Springfield all standing under 6-0, but it’s a group with a lot of speed that can wreak havoc in the open court. To pull off the upset, Upper Moreland will need to control both the tempo and glass, but loss of control in one can lead to loss of control in the other very quickly.

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8) Upper Merion vs. 9) Strath Haven

This matchup features two of the area’s top big men, with Upper Merion forward and Holy Cross commit Matt Faw (6-8) matched up against Strath Haven big man John Harrar (6-9). Faw, whose best asset is his ability to stretch the floor, missed most of the season with a foot injury, returning just in times to see his team lose to Spring-Ford despite Faw’s 18-point showing. Alongside Faw on the interior is skilled forward Ethan Miller (13.5 ppg) who can both shoot the three and score in the post. Surrounding the two interior scorers are sharpshooters Andrew Persaud and Chris Carita, with Aidan Newell running the point for the senior-laden Vikings. he After high expectations entering the season, the Vikings have somewhat underachieved to date, but a state playoff berth would make up for missed opportunities in a big way.

As for the Panthers, they have lost four of five games entering this district battle, with the lone win coming over Conestoga in impressive fashion in the Central League semifinals. The Panthers lost the championship to Lower Merion, but can use the win over Conestoga to springboard them into district play. With Harrar and fellow big man Cooper Driscoll dominating the interior, the Panthers like to space the floor with shooters, including Chris Rosini and Ryan Morris. The interior battle in this one should be fun to watch, with the team that controls the paint likely moving that much closer to clinching a state berth.

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Kevin Dodds (above) is a skilled 6-6 forward in the middle for Shanahan. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

4) Bishop Shanahan vs. 13) Academy Park

The Eagles came oh-so-close to a Ches-Mont League championship before falling to Coatesville, 43-37, in overtime. Big man Kevin Dodds scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Thomas Ford filled up the stat sheet with five points, six rebounds and three assists. The Eagles could pose a problem inside with the tandem of Dodds and Ford, but they’ve also got outside shooters to work with, led by marksman David Angelo, the team’s junior point guard. The two teams squared off in the regular season with the Knights coming away with a 72-67 overtime win.

Academy Park has played well down the stretch, losing by five to Del-Val league champs Penn Wood on the road just a few days after beating Chester; the Knights also have wins over Norristown and Penncrest under the belt, though they also lost to other Ches-Mont teams in Downingtown West and Bayard Rustin. After losing do-everything guard Jawan Collins and impressive freshman Khyree Temple from last year’s PIAA state tournament qualifying squad, this AP team is led by seniors Nick Simmons and Marq Greenwood on the perimeter; they’re much younger inside, with 6-3 sophomore Shermek Lofton among several young forwards chipping in.

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5) West Chester Rustin vs. 12) Glen Mills (7:30 PM, Tues.)

The only one of the eight games to be played a day early, part of a Rustin district doubleheader brings together foes from earlier in the season. The Golden Knights (15-9), who start sophomores Jake Nelson (6-6) and Tajir Asparagus (6-5) plus freshman Randall DeCoursey in the backcourt, got better and better as the year went on, ripping off six straight wins in January and then dealing Great Valley its first league loss in February before losing by two to Coatesville in the Ches-Mont semifinals.

Glen Mills (11-11) had an up-and-down season, though five of the Battling Bulls' losses were by five points or fewer, including defeats to Academy Park, Great Valley, Neshmaniy -- and Rustin, which scored a 47-45 win at Glen Mills back on Jan. 21. The Bulls are led by junior guards Kenyon Cooper with 13.9 ppg, and James Timmons chipping in 11.4 ppg on 40 3-pointers, according to Matt DeGeorge of the Delco Times. How Glen Mills handles the young Rustin forwards will go a long way in determining how this one plays out.

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2) Great Valley vs. 15) Upper Perkiomen

Great Valley head coach Paul Girone thought the season might have been lost back in December, when talented sophomore Alex Capitano broke his hand and received an eight-week estimate for his return. But the Patriots rallied without the 6-4 wing, their projected leading scorer, winning the Ches-Mont American Division. The Patriots ran off a 17-5 regular-season record by slowing it down and hitting outside shots, led by junior wing Liam Ward, plus seniors Robert Geiss and J.J. Long inside.

The Indians come into this game having one of the best seasons in program history. After having won just 12 games in the last four years combined, Upper Perk comes into this district battle with a 12-10 record. Led by a trio of juniors -- wing Ryan Kendra (16.8 ppg), guard Liam Boyle (12.0), and forward Will Walker (9.5) -- the Indians have nothing to lose, and will enjoy every second of playoff basketball. After the last six years in the basement of the Pioneer Athletic Conference, they have earned their spot in this field.

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Mike McFadden (above) and Holy Ghost are the defending District 1 AAA champs. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

7) Holy Ghost Prep vs. 10) Springfield (Delco.)

Valley Forge Military Academy bounced Holy Ghost out of the BAL tournament in the semifinals, but there’s plenty to like about the Firebirds. Senior 6-3 wing Mike McFadden more than held his own against VFMA’s big frontcourt with 24 points and 11 rebounds. He can patrol the paint, but he’s also adept finding open teammates. Ghost isn’t an overly big team, but Tony Chapman’s group can spread the floor with a bevy of shooters, including fellow seniors Aiden Bauer and John McCrane.

The Firebirds drew a tough first-round opponent in the Cougars, whose results have fluctuated during the year but are a dangerous team who could certainly get hot and win a few games to make it to the state tournament. Senior wing Kyle Sullivan typically leads them in scoring, though they've gotten a nice boost with the midseason arrival of Mike Webb, a speedy 5-8 guard; 6-5 senior Justin Collins gives them length inside and junior Ja'Den McKenzie can hit double-digits as well. If Springfield can break through Holy Ghost's patient offense and make the Firebirds turn up the pace, they could steal this one on the road.

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3) Penncrest vs. 14) Harriton

It’s a Central League rematch, and one that has the whole bracket on upset alert after Harriton beat Penncrest 69-63 in Penncrest’s gym on Jan. 27. Now there’s a whole lot more on the line, but this Rams squad will roll into Media knowing they’re plenty capable of getting it done. Jesse Rappaport has guided his team to several nice wins this year, including @ Marple Newtown, against Springfield (Delco.) and beating Strath Haven in the regular-season finale. Senior guard Will Esposto leads the way for the Rams, who are seeking their first district win since 2014.

Mike Doyle’s Lions are led by junior guard Tyler Norwood, who poured in 33 points against Harriton the last time out, though that wasn’t quite enough. The 5-10 combo guard with a smooth outside stroke sets the pace for Penncrest, which also routinely gets double-figure outings from seniors Mike Mallon (6-3) and Justin Ross (5-11). The Lions won 13 straight at this point before losing four straight, including that game to Harriton, then won three more before losing to LM in the league semifinal.

6) Phoenixville vs. 11) Wissahickon

After a full 20 days off, Phoenixville hosts Wissahickon -- which has been off since Feb. 7, or 15 days -- to keep its season alive, one of the unfortunate peculiarities of the new six-classification system. Eric Burnett's Phantoms (14-8) won six of eight to close out the year, including a big-time come-from-behind win over Upper Merion on Feb. 2, the last time they took the court. He's got a senior-laden group including senior forwards Avery Close (6-5) and Shyheim Abernathy (6-4), who shoulder the load, though fellow seniors Phil Meszaros, Nasir Green and Hunter Herschell join those two in the starting lineup.

Wissahickon (13-9), under the direction of Kyle Wilson, was similarly playing well towards the end of the season, winning three straight going into the playoffs; the Trojans are 10-4 overall since Jan. 5 after losing several games by single-digits over the first month of the year. Senior guard Zach Gelman is the most experienced player on a group that features mainly juniors, including wing Chaz Owens -- son of former Syracuse/NBA big man Billy Owens -- and forward Zach Reiner, who gets the dirty work done inside. Wissahickon doesn't quite have the size that Phoenixville brings to the table, but if they can negate that advantage down low, they'll be right there for the potential upset.

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Shyheim Abernathy (above) is part of a versatile frontcourt for Phoenixville. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Players to Watch
Shyheim Abernathy -- Sr., Phoenixville
-- Versatile 6-4 wing forward can score from all three levels, also hits the boards well for the Phantoms and can defend five positions
David Angelo -- Jr., Bishop Shanahan
-- Eagles’ floor general is lethal 3-point shooter who can light it up from anywhere on the court, but also a sneaky good rebounder.
Tajir Asparagus -- Soph., West Chester Rustin
-- Big upside to this 6-5 wing guard, who plays inside and out for Rustin but projects as a versatile perimeter threat at the next level
Aiden Bauer -- Sr., Holy Ghost Prep
-- One of several seniors who continually produce for the Prep is this scrappy 5-10 guard, a terrific 3-point shooter who fits perfectly into their offense
Jordan Camper -- Sr., Chester
-- Lanky 6-8 forward is a terrific shot-blocker and rebounder; has become a more reliable offensive threat, with a nifty right-hand hook
Alex Capitano -- Soph., Great Valley
-- After broken hand cost him two months, 6-4 wing is ready to resume role as GV’s leading scorer; terrific 3-point shooter who can put it on the floor
Avery Close -- Sr., Phoenixville
-- Breakout senior year for this 6-5 wing, who went from a shooter as a junior to an all-around threat as a senior w/ improved post-up game
Justin Collins -- Sr., Springfield (Delco.)
-- An intriguing, under-the-radar prospect, Collins is a 6-5 forward with a terrific wingspan who can also create off the bounce
Kevin Dodds -- Jr., Bishop Shanahan
-- Dodds has a soft touch around the basket, but he’s also proven to be a force on the defensive end. He’ll block shots and gobble up rebounds.
Will Esposto -- Sr., Harriton
-- Tough and talented 6-0 lead guard is the Rams’ leading scorer; capable 3-point shooter but very strong attacking the bucket
Matt Faw -- Sr., Upper Merion
-- Holy Cross-bound forward looks back to full strength after missing several weeks due to a broken bone in his foot; terrific 3-point shooter
Ryan Kendra -- Jr. Upper Perkiomen
--Talented scorer from all over the court, Upper Perk’s 6-1 junior averaged 16.8 a game, leading his team to a breakthrough season
John Harrar -- Sr., Strath Haven
-- Most physically imposing player in the bracket is Haven’s 6-9, 250-pound big man, a relentless worker at both end
Mike Mallon -- Sr., Penncrest
-- Two-year starter for the Lions, this 6-3 forward does the dirty work for Penncrest, though he can also hit shots when open
Mike McFadden -- Sr., Holy Ghost Prep
-- Holy Ghost’s gunner, McFadden is capable of putting up big numbers in a hurry, as the 6-3 guard will shoot from anywhere within 30 feet
Ethan Miller -- Sr., Upper Merion
-- Wide-shouldered 6-6 forward is actually a knock-down 3-point shooter, but has become a much more physical interior presence as well
Jake Nelson -- Soph., West Chester Rustin
-- Powerful, versatile 6-6 forward has a nice face-up game as well; missed several games at the end of the season (ankle) but should be back
Tyler Norwood -- Jr., Penncrest
-- One of the area’s top scorers, Norwood is a confident 5-10 lead guard with a smooth outside stroke who’s crafty around the rim
Idris Random -- Sr., Harriton
-- The Robin to Esposto’s Batman, Random is second on the team in scoring (14.8 ppg) but leads the Rams in rebounds, blocks and steals
Shane Stone -- Sr., Upper Moreland
-- A bouncy 6-3 wing forward, Stone does most of his work around the rim, getting second-chance points galore, though he can attack in the open court
Jamar Sudan -- Sr., Chester
-- Ultra-athletic 6-6 forward is a problem inside when he gets rolling. Does a great job of keeping rebounds alive and scoring around the rim
Kyle Sullivan -- Sr., Springfield (Delco.)
-- Not flashy but certainly productive, Springfield’s 6-3 wing hits shots from all over the court and has the patience/toughness to get it done inside
Liam Ward -- Jr., Great Valley
-- When Capitano went down, Ward, a 6-5 wing, stepped up to become one of the area’s more prolific 3-point shooters
Damian Washington -- Sr., Upper Moreland
-- Lanky 6-5 shooting guard with range and a lot of upside, Washington is headed for Delaware Valley University in the fall


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