January 1, 2008

 

FRIENDS: Many of you knew about the fall I had at a state first round game last year. If you did not know here is a quick summary. I took a fall and crushed my shoulder on March 10. I had a replacement done and it is still not the way it should be. There is still some swelling on the right hand and it hampers my typing some and I probably won't be giving as much player scoring info as before simply because I can't type nearly as fast. In July my therapy was slowed as I had a pacemaker put in and in late October my wife had back surgery so we've had tough going for a good 8 months. Well that's enough about me. I still have a good enough network so I should be able to keep this show on the road somewhat if not as good as before.

 

1. Chester (10-1) (District 1 AAAA )

The defending AAAA state runner-up Clippers have lost only once this year, 68-55 to Newark St. Benedict's, NJ in the finals of the City of Palms Classic. Earlier in the tournament they defeated Fort Myers Bishop Verot, FL 66-41, Scott County KY 83-69, and Queens Holy Cross, NY 62-53. Chester began the season winning the Omega Psi Phi Tip-Off Tournament @ Chester with a 72-59 win over Philadelphia Imhotep Charter and a 63-43 win over Philadelphia Simon Gratz. They then defeated Lancaster 71-55, Penn Wood 76-40 and Chichester 88-45. Then in the Pete Nelson Holiday Classic they defeated Philadelphia Public League AA powers Prep Charter 75-70 and Strawberry Mansion 82-76.

The Players: 6-5 Sr Nasir Robinson, 5-9 Sr Karon Burton, 6-7 Sr B.J. Robinson, 6-4 Sr Mark Burrell, 6-6 Sr Russell Johnson, Kevin Green-Germany 5-11 Sr, Rahlir Jefferson 6-5 Jr. Alonzo Jones 6-0 Sr, Marvin Dukes 5-10 Jr, Anthony Myers 6-1 Jr, Dymere Crews 6-1 Soph and Mark Collins 6-1 Sr.

 

2. Philadelphia Roman Catholic (5-2) (Philadelphia Catholic League)

This is the year the Philadelphia Catholic League joined the PIAA. They will not be eligible for the state playoffs but will go by the limit of 24 regular season games and will no longer go to the Alhambra Invitational in March. The Cahillites started the season by winning the Philly Basketball Invitational with wins over Germantown Academy 66-64 and Philadelphia Penn Charter 51-40. Then in the Gonzaga Classic they defeated Forrestville Bishop McNamara, MD 63-61 in the first round but then lost their next two games, 84-78 to Brooklyn Bishop Loughlin and 57-56 to Oakland Fremont, CA. They then got an early jump on the Catholic League South with wins over their top two rivals, St. Joseph's Prep 55-42 and St. John Neumann-Goretti 65-62.

The Players: 6-1 sr Courtney Stanley, 6-5 senior twins Wes and Will Kirkland, 6-1 Jr Maalik Wayns, 5-10 Soph Rakeem Brookins, 6-4 Freshman Aaron Brown and 6-3 Soph Kevin Regan. Regan, 6-3, G.

 

3. Pennsbury (12-1) (District 1 AAAA)

The Falcons stayed undefeated until they lost in the finals of the Cape Ferry Invitational at the Bay Ball Classic in Lewes, DE, in overtime to Putman City, Oklahoma 63-57. To reach the championship game they defeated PIAA rival Lower Merion 66-48 and Linden, New Jersey, 52-42. They opened the season with wins over Council Rock South 76-54, Council Rock North 62-44 in the Council Rock Tip-Off Classic. Then defeated William Tennent 68-38, Abington 64-42, Central Bucks East 71-51, Pennridge 79-49, Bensalem 65-58, Penn Wood 65-52, Truman 65-58 and North Penn 60-49.

The Players: 6-5 Jr Dalton Pepper, 5-11 soph Jesse Krasna, 6-0 sr Brad Fisher, 6-1 Jr Marcus Healey, 6 -2 Sr, Justin Brewton, 5-11 Jr, Eddie DiRugeris, 6-0 Soph Dante Devine, 5-10 Jr Jon Ryan Wolff and 6 -4 Sr David Brown.

4. Philadelphia Prep Charter (4-3) (Philadelphia Public League-District 12 AA)

The Huskies have played all their games on the road and have a couple of bad losses but then have wins over Philadelphia Strawberry Mansion 71-65 and Neumann-Goretti 56-53. They started the season out in Hershey when they defeated Milton Hershey 83-61, then after the win over SM they were edged out by Lower Merion 62-61, Then they went upstate again and defeated Scotland 78-65 before being upset by Williamsport 76-63. Next came a tough loss to #1 Chester 75-70. They ended the year with the win over Neumann-Goretti. Jesse Morgan 6-4 Jr star did not play in some of the losses.

The Players: Parrish Grant 6-2 Jr, Tyree ÒChuckÓ Harris 6-7 Jr and Ferg Myrick 6-6 Jr. Shaquille Duncan 6-8 Soph, Willis Nicholson 5-10 Soph, Matt Hankerson 6-3 Soph.

5. Philadelphia St. John Neumann-St. Maria Goretti (5-5) (Philadelphia Cath. League)

As usual the Saints have played a demanding December national schedule and have not fared as well as they would have liked. They started the season winning their first four games, 62-57 over Baltimore St. Francis, 55-48 over Philadelphia Father Judge, 75-65 over Philadelphia Cardinal Dougherty and 68-51 over Philadelphia Penn Charter. Then in a shootout in Wheeling, WVA they were defeated 62-50 by Washington Archbishop Carroll. Then in the Amare Stoudemire Invitational @ Lakeland, Florida they defeated West Lake, Ga 65-58, but then lost to Los Angeles Fairfax, CA 73-62 and Lakeland Kathleen, FL 52-50. The misfortune continued at home as they lost to Roman Catholic 65-62 and Philadelphia Prep Charter 56-53.

The Players: Jamal Wilson 6-5 Sr, Tyreel Duren 6-2 Soph. Tyrell Taylor 6-2 Sr, Tony Chenaultt 6-2 soph, Daniel Stewart 6-6 Soph, Andre ÒScooterÓ Gillette 6-9 Jr, and Shane Irwin 6-5 Sr.


6. Reading (12-0) (District 3 AAAA)

The Red Knights appear to have their best team since Donyell Marshall's senior team. They really haven't been tested as yet but will play Harrisburg this Saturday. The return from Glen Mills of Jordan Burdine 6-2 Sr, the emergence of his cousin Trenity Burdine 6-4 Soph to go along with Rider signee Jermaine Jackson 6-7 Sr and two other returning starters in Justin Rodriguez 5-9 Jr and Nelson Leon 6-2 Sr have propelled Reading into a scoring machine that averages over 75ppg. The wins were: 70 Allentown Dieruff 46, 96 Conestoga Valley 46, 76 Coatesville 59, 56 Wilson 50, 101 Lancaster 78, 53 Academy Park 52, 64 Boyertown 33, 88 Conrad Weiser 52, 75 Exeter 45, 60 Owen J. Roberts 39, 90 Allentown Central Catholic 62, 86 Upper Darby 37. The final two came in the Reading Christmas Tournament and saw the Knights reel off 54 points in the first half of both games.

Other Players: Demrick Cook 6-3 Jr, Jordon Merriweather 5-11 Sr, and Marcus Dawkins 6-3 Freshman.

7. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (11-1) (District 7 WPIAL AAAA)

The Vikings are the top threat in western Pa this year in the early going and they began the season winning the Ambridge Tournament with wins over Ambridge 72-43 and Pittsburgh Schenley 72-59. Then they defeated Butler 75-49, Woodland Hills 72-41, Moon 59-51, Gateway 63-35, Plum 61-48. Penn Hills 60-58 and Aliquippa 83-72 before traveling east for the Williamsport Tournament. In the first game they led Paterson Catholic, New Jersey by eight at the half when star 6-2 Sr Matt McKenna went out with an injury and they then lost to the eventual tourney champs, 81-79 for their only loss of the year. Central came back strong and won the consolation game 63-45 over Council Rock South. 6-3 Jr Lucas Mickens, 6-6 Jr Evan Tsudis and 6-4 Sr Brandan Sams all had big games in the tourney.

Other players: 6-0 Jr Lian Halfterty, 5-7 Sr, Zeke Nicholson, 5 -10 Jr Brian Rajakovich, 6 -2 SR Mike Hyland, 6-2 Soph Mike Hyland, 6-2 Soph Jeff Knox, 6-3 Soph Dylan Layton, 6-3 Jr Dan Schellbach and 6-6 Sr, Grant Mellon.


8. Philadelphia Communications Tech (9-1) (Phila. Public League-District 12 AAA)

The Phoenix opened the season winning the Ridley Tip-Off Tournament beating West Chester Henderson 74-60 and Ridley. Then defeated Wilmington Ferris, DE 104-50, Philadelphia Fels 90-54, Philadelphia Olney 90-49, Philadelphia Northeast 87-58 , Philadelphia Lincoln 101-34 and Philadelphia Penn Charter 59-38. Then in the Holiday Tournament @ Wildwoods Convention Center they defeated Mainland, NJ 63-35 and then lost their only game to Holy Cross, NJ 61-57.

The Players: Andrew ÒScootieÓ Randall 6-6 Sr, Chris Jones 6 -1 Sr, Manny Jordan 6-5 Sr, Orlando Ensley 5-11 Sr, Antonio ÒGeeÓ Monroe 6-0 Jr, Shaquille Shannon 6-1 Soph, Virgil Pearson 6-2 Jr.

 

9. Philadelphia Imhotep Charter (8-2) (Philadelphia Public League-District 12 AA)

The powerful Panthers have gone through a strong schedule mostly on the road. They opened in the Chester Tip-Off losing to the host Clippers 72-59 and then beating Engineering & Science 52-46. They then beat Vaux 66-13 and Philadelphia North Catholic 66-59 before losing to fellow Public AA power Strawberry Manson 77-66. Then in the Function at the Junction Tournament in Baltimore they defeated Baltimore schools Southwestern and Douglas. They came back and beat Mariana Bracetti 69-50 and then won the Slam Fest @ Harrisburg beating the home-standing Cougars 79-68 and West York 74-63, dominating both teams for much of the games.

The Players: Miguel Bocachica 6-6 Sr, Lamar Trice 6-0 Sr, Steven Leath 5-9 Sr, Kenny Battle 6-2 Jr, Will Adams 6-3 Jr, Rashad Savage 6-6 Sr and Ivory Wells 6-4 Jr.

10. Lower Merion (9-2) (District 1 AAAA)

The Ace's started the season winning over Springfield-Delco 69-26, Strath Haven 69-37, Upper Darby 56-31 and Haverford 63-46. Then in the 5^th Annual Main Line Classic @ Lower Merion they defeated Philadelphia Prep Charter 62-61. Then they were upset by Conestoga 54-49. Came back to beat Marple-Newtown 66-58 before going to the Bay Ball Classic in Lewes, DE. They lost in the first round of the Cape Ferry Invitational to Pennsbury 66-48 but finished strong with wins over Glasgow, DE 55-50 and Woodbridge, VA 78-52 to win the consolation bracket.

The Aces are led by: 6-4 Jr Greg Robbins, 6-4 Sr Andrew King, 6-4 Jr Eric Stahler, 6-0 Sr Carl Johnson, 6-3 Sr Steve Meehan, 5-8 Soph Sal D'Angelo, 5-11 Jr Tobi Ajirototo, 5-11 Sr Ben Lucas, 5-10 Soph Oliver Cohen, 6-4 Jr Harlen Williamson, 6-4 Sr Galloway Green, 6-3 Soph Alan Seltzer and 5-11 Soph Connor Foote.

 

11. Pittsburgh Schenley (11-1) (Pittsburgh City-District 8 AAAA)

The defending AAAA state champion Spartans lost a lot from last year but still have 6-4 Sr Deandre Kane (who is averaging over 32 ppg) and 6-0 Sr Greg Blair around and have lost only to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 72-59 in the finals of the Ambridge Tournament after knocking off Aliquippa 90-75 in the first round. Since then they have defeated city foes Westinghouse 76-36, Langley 93-72, Altoona 62-58, Brashear 74-62, Oliver 65-54, North Hills 61-52, Carrick 67-52, and at the Greensburg Salem Tournament they downed Greensburg Salem 87-66, Hempfield Area 66-62 and Connellsville 70-65. 5-11 Jr Embry Williams, Miles Porter 5-8 Sr and Jacob Fine 6-3 Jr are the other three starters.

Rounding Out the Roster are: Jesse Granberry 6-2 Sr, Eric Carter 5-8 Jr, Anthony Clifford 6-4 Soph, Garland Walker 5-6 Jr, Alonzo Murphy 6-6, Jeremy Hawkins 5-8 Sr, and Charon Satterwhite 5-9 Jr.

 

12. Central Dauphin East (12-0) (District 3 AAAA)

After settling for the middle of the pack for years in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth the Panthers have surged to the top so far this year and own wins already over perennial powers Harrisburg, Chambersburg and Carlisle. Their wins to date are: 75 Waynesboro 50, 69 Spring Grove 38, 75 Central Dauphin 65, 66 Cedar Cliff 60. 75 Lebanon 56 , 61 Chambersburg 40, 72 Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt 47, 81 Harrisburg 76, 69 Carlisle 60, 76 Cumberland Valley 59, 61 Ephrata 36, 78 Middletown 44.

Top Players: Demond Bates, Quion Gunning 6-3 Sr, Christian DeVan 5-11 Soph, Amani Glenn 5-8 Jr, Shane Sweigart 6-4 Sr, Brian Chatman 6-4 Jr, Nate Hess 5-8 Jr, Jonathan Bredden 5-11 Jr.

13. Ridley (11-1) (District 1 AAAA)

The Green Raiders played their first five games without star guard Steve Egee 6-2 Sr who was playing football, but lost only in the finals of the Ridley Tip Off to Philadelphia Communications Tech. They won the opener 44-20 over Interboro. After the loss they ran off wins over Council Rock North 58-46, Marple-Newtown 74-61, Penncrest 45-36, Radnor 57 -33, Conestoga 49-42, Springfield-Delco 54-47, Stath Haven 48-40, Haverford School 56 -35 and in the Pete Nelson Holiday Classic, Plymouth-Whitemarsh 69-63 and Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep 39-36.

The rest of the players: Dan Robinson 6-6 Sr, John McSorley 5-11 Sr, John Trasatti 5-7 Sr, Shamar Harris 6-1 Sr, Matt Farrell 6-3 Sr, Cameron Gunter 6-7 Soph.

14. Norristown (12-0) (District 1 AAAA)

The Eagles are a nice surprise this year as they roared through December undefeated with wins over Philadelphia Frankford 51-49, Cheltenham 66-58, Lancaster 78-70, Landsdale Catholic 85-40, Central Bucks East 68-49, Souderton 61-55, William Tennent 72-42, Hatboro-Horsham 64-45, Upper Darby 64-46, Council Rock North 53-43 and then sweeping the Norristown Triangle Club Tournament with wins over Norristown Kennedy-Kenrick 69-25 and Pottstown St. Pius X 67-51.

The Players: Russell Graham 6-0 Sr, Sheldon Mayer 5-8 Soph, Maurice Briggs 6-5 Sr, Khalif Wyatt 6-3 Jr, Paul Savage 5-9 Sr, Jared Smart 5-9 Sr, James Ramsey 6-1 Jr, Quentin Watson 6-5 Sr, Vonte Shippen 6-3 Sr,

15. Erie McDowell (11-0) (District 10 AAAA)

The Trojans are the top team in the Northeast so far this year as they went through December undefeated. They defeated Farrell 64-48, Erie Mercyhurst Prep 57-37, Erie East 56-36, Altoona 45-23, Hollidaysburg 53-36, George Junior Republic 43-27, Erie Central 59-41, General McLane 46-35 and Fox Chapel 64-52. Then they won the McDowell Holiday Tournament with wins over Ontario Milliken Mills, Canada 56-39 and previously undefeated AA power North East 55-54.

The Players: Zach Spronatti 6-2 Sr, Bryant Kimball 6-0 Sr, Dillon Loomis 5-11 Sr, Joe Letto 6-0 Jr, Jason Keim 6-4 Jr, Ryan Skellie 6-3 Sr, Eric Hanson 5-11 Jr, Zach Stano 6-1 Jr.

Team Record

16. Philadelphia West Catholic (11-1) (Philadelphia Catholic League)

The Burrs seem poised to make a run at Roman and N-G in the Catholic South as they slipped only once in December. They won the LaSalle Tip-Off beating St. Peter's, NY 76-39 and LaSalle 64-54. Then they defeated Philadelphia Bishop McDevitt 76-39 and lost to Father Judge 61-60. Came back and defeated Archbishop Ryan 64-55, Archbishop Wood 61-51, Academy Park 81-67, Kennedy-Kenrick 79-40, Cardinal O'Hara 63-35, Friends Central 60-50, Interboro 51-34 and Conwell-Egan 78-63.

The Players: Eric Brennan 6-6 Sr, Rob Holloman 5-8 Jr, Curtis Drake 6-0 Jr, Sergino Mystil 6-4 Sr, Eric Beal 6-1 Sr, Haleem ÒP-NutÓ Hayward 6-1 Jr, Aquil Younger 5-10 Freshman.

 

17. Bethlehem Liberty (9-1) (District 11 AAAA)

The Hurricanes slipped up only once this year in losing to Allentown Allen 63-49 in their second game. The wins came over Easton Notre Dame 76-36 , Nazareth 57-43, Bethlehem Catholic 64-25, Easton 45-37, Northampton 56-40, Bethlehem Freedom 65-37, Saucon Valley 50-38, Baltimore St. Paul's 56-45 and Central Bucks South 54-39.

The Players: Trevor VanAckeren 6-2 Sr, Sergio Comacho 5-11 Sr Joe Orlando 6-1 Sr, Anthony Gonzalez 6-2 Soph, Jarrod West 6-3 Soph, Carmelo Couvertier 6-5 Sr, Jeffrey Schantz 6-2 Sr.

 

18. McKeesport (9-1) (District 7 WPIAL AAAA)

The Tigers were the WPIAL preason favorites and started the season winning the Hempfield Area Tournament with wins over Norwin 56-51 and Franklin Regional 69-62. They then defeated Moon 43-39, Fox Chapel 66-38, Woodland Hills 63-46, Gateway 66-54, Plum 67-44 and Penn Hills 50-41. Then in the Trinity Tournament they were upset by Canon-McMillan 65-56, but came back to crush the host school 76-36. Their top players are Zeke Marshall 6-11 Jr, Quentin Harding 6-4 Sr, Davon Alexander 6-5 Sr and Zach Classic 5-8 Sr, Shadrae King 6-4 Sr, Marvase Byrd 5-9 Sr, Ty-Meer Brown 6-0 Soph, Dontel Sayles 6-2 Sr, Brandon Jackson 6-4 Freshman and Parris Perdue 6-0 Jr.

19. Easton (10-2) (District 11 AAAA)

The Red Rovers defeated Pocono Mountain West 59-58, Allentown Allen 48-44, Bethlehem Freedom 56-42, Northampton 56-42, then lost to #17 Bethlehem Liberty 45-37, came back and beat Nazareth 52-40, Bethlehem Catholic 76-33 and highly regarded Parkland 60-38. Then they went to Florida for four games in the Great Florida Shootout where they finished with three wins in four games. They defeated Port Arthur Atlantic 57-47 in the first round, lost to Orlando Dr. Phillips 64-59 in the quarterfinals. Then finished off strong with wins over Orlando Christian Prep 39-37 and Gainesville P. K. Yonge 47-44.

The Players: 6-0 Sr Jon Hunter, 6-3 Jr, Zach Hankerson, 5-10 Sr Dwayne Brown, 6-1 Sr Datarous Sledge, 6-4 Sr Joseph Herman, 6-1 Sr Robert Baptiste, 5-11 Sr Andrew Miller, and 5-10 Sr David Bennett.

20. Susquehanna Township (9-1) (District 3 AAA)

One of the top AAA teams in the state the Indians stumbled only once in December. However they will get stiff AAA competition in District 3 alone, from both West York and Steelton-Highspire. Wins: 71 Upper Darby 58, 80 Cumberland Valley 71, 54 Hershey 46, 66 Middletown 54, 62 Trinity 50, 76 Palmyra 50, 74, Lower Dauphin 53, 62 Lebanon 41. 77 Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt 46. Loss: 37 Mechanicsburg 50.

Top Players: Matt Jones 6-3 Sr, B. J. Smith 6-2 Sr, Akeem Wilson 6-5 Jr, Tajah Turner 5-10 Soph, Ben Dupree 5-9 Soph. Aaron Maisel 5-11 Soph, Dominic Schiano 6-5 Sr.