Schuylkill League Boys’ Basketball Preview Capsules

 

DIVISION I

Blue Mountain

Head coach: Dustin Werdt (22^nd season)

Last season: 23-5, 13-1 Division I. Division I co-champion, Schuylkill League runner-up, District 11 Class 4A runner-up, PIAA qualifier

Key losses: Isaac Thomas, Eli Feisel, Tyler Miller, Braiden McGhee, Max Heim

Key returners: Tyeirre Meade (jr., G), Aidan Grace (sr., G), Chase Baldwin (sr., C), Merik Brayford (sr., G)

Key newcomers: Shideek Reid (sr., F), Evan Setlock (jr., G), Cohen Werner (soph., F), Beck Henninger (soph., G), Sean Gaddy (jr., G), Chase Guers (soph., F), Owen Tomeo (sr., F), Cohen Kirby (fr., F), Landon Miller (jr., F).

Outlook: Eagles return a solid nucleus from last year’s squad that reached the Schuylkill League and District 11 Class 4A championship games. Meade and Grace are outstanding guards that can fill up the stat sheet. Will need to find someone (one person or a group) to replace the inside scoring and rebounding of Thomas. Should contend for Division I title and league playoff berth.

Mahanoy Area

Head coach: Teddy Styka (5^th season)

Last season: 28-1, 13-0 Division III. Schuylkill League Division III champion, Schuylkill League overall champion, District 11 Class AA champion, PIAA qualifier

Key losses: Kadin Styka, Colm McGroarty, Brady Alansky, Chris Cuff, Ethan Manley

Key returners: Tanner Zawada (sr., G), Jace Yedsena (sr., G)

Key newcomers: William Mayberry (sr., G), Mike Oblas (sr., G), Ryan Zilker (jr., C), Jack Rhoades (sr., G), Peyton Sendatch (sr., G), Brian Gallagher (sr., G), Aiden Bowman (sr., F), Austin Green (sr., F), Connor Bowman (fr., G), Damian Contreras (jr., F)

Outlook: Golden Bears return their two leading scorers in Zawada and Yedsena but lost all the complementary pieces around them that helped Mahanoy Area reach the second round of the PIAA playoffs. Zawada and Yedsena are enough to make the Bears title contenders, but how quickly the newcomers find and fill their roles will ultimately determine their success. Making the jump to Division I could make repeating a little tougher, but the favorite going in. Division I title and overall league title contender.

Minersville

Head coach: Dave Mullaney (3^rd season at Minersville)

Last season: 15-8, 8-5 Division II

Key losses: Lorenzo Yourey, Brady Eisenhart

Key returners: Bradley Kostishak (sr.), Logan Hutsko (sr.), Dante Carr (jr.), Shazier Bethea (jr.)

Key newcomers: A.J. Halford (sr.), Dawsyn Manning (sr.), Kaseem Lofton (sr.), Easton Schultz (sr.), Shane Fessler (jr.), Jake Mealey (jr.), Jordan Bowers (soph.), Chase Zimerofsky (soph.), Cam Rogers (soph.), Brandon Adams (soph.).

Outlook: Like the Bears, Miners make the jump to the big-school division and have the pieces in place to be a league playoff contender. Kostishak, Hutsko and Carr give Miners great length and addition of Manning adds scoring and ballhandling. Need to get better each day, Mullaney says, and get leadership and scoring from returning varsity players to be playoff contender.

North Schuylkill

Head coach: Will Bracey (5^th season)

Last season: 17-8, 9-5 Division I, Schuylkill League wild card

Key losses: Jack Keiter, Zane Zulkowski, Joey Flail, Bryce Cuthie, Logan Carl, Tyrone Chambers, Fernando Rivera, Teigan Brokenshire, Maxwell Suarez, Noel Drum, Luke Miller, Caden Mengel, Cooper Carl, Aiden Zilker

Key returners: Jude Maziekas (jr., G/F)

Key newcomers: Zach Marcinowski (jr., G), Noah Grow (sr., G), Max Gallagher (jr., G), Cody Osenbach (jr., F), Sam Wall (soph., G), Julian Nelson (jr., G), Andrew Dziczek (sr., C), Raylin Cabral (soph., G), Cameron Kacilowicz (fr., F), Niko White (soph., F), Xavier McNally (fr., C), Cash Kreitzer (jr., G), Dylan Cairo (soph., G), Casey Rader (soph., G), Logan Damiter (fr., G), Omari Townes (jr., F), Cole Meskunas (fr.), Alex Kronkowsky (fr.), Connor Krevinas (fr.), Kaden Zerby (sr.).

Outlook: Spartans graduated 10 seniors and had 15 players overall from last year’s team depart, so it’s a rebuilding year in Fountain Springs. Young team with only three seniors on roster, it will be a season of growth and development for Spartans.

Panther Valley

Head coach: Pat Crampsie (23^rd season)

Last season: 14-11. District 11 Class 3A semifinalist

Key losses: Stephen Hood, Chase Weaver, Drew Kokinda, Hayden Goida, Thomas Buyce, Eli Maynard, Tyler Black

Key returners: G Connor Penberth, F Logan Fisher, G Brady Jones, G Brody Breiner

Key newcomers: F Danny Wehr, C Jarell Thomas, F Ben Baneravage, G Jake Moyer, G  Mrgim Nerizi, F Nuredin Gjoca, F Gino Williams, F Eddison Mitchell

Outlook: Panthers have a lot of height in the post with Fisher (6-2), Wehr (6-4) and Thomas (6-8) and need to use that to their advantage. Penberth provides scoring and ballhandling from his point guard spot. PV must find players to step up offensively after losing 1,000-point scorers Hood and Weaver and the program’s all-time leading 3-point shooter, Kokinda, to graduation. Will be one of those teams that could surprise a Division I title contender on any given night. Qualifying for districts for an eighth straight year in an attainable goal.

Pine Grove

Head coach: Jordan Lehman (4^th season)

Last season: 4-18, 2-12 Division I

Key losses: None

Key returners: Chase Sarge (sr., G), Quinn Brommer (sr., F), Hayden Felty (jr., F), Wyatt Snyder (jr., C), Dane Hannevig (jr., G)

Key newcomers: Teagan Schneck-Haines (soph., G), Brayden Lyons (sr., C), Alex Dubbs (sr., F), Dru Herber (fr., F)

Outlook: Cardinals return a bevy of starters and should be improved this season. Very athletic squad with players who have excelled in other sports. Not a very tall team, Pine Grove will need to win with solid defense and a team effort. Qualifying for districts is an attainable goal.

Pottsville

Head coach: Jake Wartella (5^th season)

Last season: 19-9, 13-1 Division I. Schuylkill League Division I co-champion, District 11 Class 4A third-place, PIAA qualifier

Key losses: Chase Oswald, Kole Becker

Key returners: Letrel Montone (sr., G), Derek Watkins (sr., G), Christian Alvarez (jr., F), JuJu Bainbridge (jr., G), Gianni Hughes-Crane (sr., G), Tahlil Flucker-White (sr., C), Ryder Bowers (jr., G)

Key newcomers: Landon Ivy (sr., C), Brody Herndon (jr., G), Colin McGinley (soph., G), Andrew Allen (soph., G), Chris Hobbs (soph., G), Max Clews (soph., F), Josh Kimber (soph., G), Dave Kunstek (jr., C)

Outlook: Crimson Tide have the depth and experience to be one of the top teams in the Schuylkill League. Have good balance of outside shooting and strong inside play. Will go as far as their senior leaders take them. Will be in the mix for one of the three Division I playoff spots. If everything goes right, Division I title contender.

Tamaqua

Head coach: Jim Barron (10^th season)

Last season: 11-12 overall, 6-8 Division I. District 11 qualifier

Key losses: Connor Dillon, Michael Styka

Key returners: Cooper Ansbach (sr., G), Noah Mateyak (sr., G), Luke Kane (sr., F)

Key newcomers: Brady McCabe (jr., F), Isaiah Davis (sr., F), Matt Vecolitis (sr., G), Victor Schlosser (sr., F), Jakin Tamagini (soph., F), Elvys Reyes (sr., G).

Outlook: Blue Raiders return a strong nucleus in Ansbach, Mateyak and Kane, all of whom are four-year varsity contributors. Mateyak is an explosive scorer, with Ansbach handling the point and Kane working inside. Need some role players to step up. Returning to the district playoffs is a reachable goal.

 

To read about the upcoming Schuylkill League boys’ basketball season, visit https://www.t102sportsnow.com/2024/12/05/schuylkill-league-boys-basketball-preview-what-to-expect-for-the-2024-25-season/

DIVISION II

Lourdes

Head coach: James Sandri

No information provided

Marian

Head coach: Scott Murphy (4th season)

Last season: 15-10, 9-4 Division III. District 11 Class AA runner-up, PIAA qualifier

Key losses: Julius Currie, Jesse Rodino, James Rodino, Jacob Miller, Bruce Hopeck, Alex Thomas, Nathaniel Rosario

Key returners: None

Key newcomers: Jake Tom, Dylan Rodino, Jacob De La Cruz, Justin De La Cruz, Bryan Ferreira, Yaniel Nunez, Rocco Grigiuoli, Jimmy Cannon, Dominic Catrone, Noel Matos, Mitchel Knock, Tyler Price, Greg Tirpak, Nick Shigo, Darren Paulino

Outlook: Colts will have to replace their entire starting unit from a year ago, so a transition year lies ahead. Marian has the talent to be competitive in Division II. How quickly new starters adjust to their roles and chemistry is developed will determine the Colts’ success. Could challenge for league playoff berth.

Nativity

Head coach: Mike Walborn

Last season: 14-10. District 11 Class AA qualifier

Key losses: Bailey Ziolkowski, Mike Quirk, Tyler Borden, Blake Adams

Key returners: Trey Keating (jr., G), Sam Walborn (sr., G), Noah Dolbin (sr., F)

Key newcomers: Ryan Grabowski (jr.), George Shimko (jr.), Jake Bowman (soph.), Layne Pasker (soph.)

Outlook: Hilltoppers return the area’s leading scorer in Keating, who averaged 23.9 points per game a year ago. Seniors Walborn and Dolbin also return to provide key experience and leadership. That trio should be enough to make Nativity a challenger for Division II title honors. Nativity’s ultimate success, however, will be determined by how quickly a new group of younger players fills roles and becomes contributors on both ends of the floor. Division II title contender.

Schuylkill Haven

Head coach: Fran Murphy (14^th season)

Last season: 21-6 overall. Schuylkill League Division II champion, District 11 Class AA third-place, PIAA qualifier

Key losses: Travis Richie, Jake Jenan, Nigel Kuzanga, Logan Carl, Leyden Hertz

Key returners: Alan Evans (soph., G), Brayden Fasnacht (sr., G)

Key newcomers: Max Heim (jr., F), Blake Rossi (jr., F), Justin Watcher (soph., G), Brady Kelly (soph., F)

Outlook: Hurricanes will be extremely young with just one senior on roster after all five starters from last year’s club either graduated or didn’t come out this season. Evans provides scoring potential from the outside while Heim could be a force inside. Will experience the growing pains that young teams go through, but a .500 record and a return to the District 11 playoffs is a good possibility.

Shenandoah Valley

Head coach: Josh Dombrosky (2^nd season)

Last season: 2-20, 1-12 Division III

Key losses: Estuardo Salguero, Gunner Taylor, John Silvestre

Key returners: Brayden Maksimik (sr., G), Johnny Burke (sr., C), Brandon Boris (sr., G), Landon Monaghan (sr., F)

Key newcomers: Izayah Lopez (jr., G), David Burrous (soph., F), Jonnuel Reyes (soph., F), Alex Rivera (soph., G), Dillon Teeter (sr., F).

Outlook: Blue Devils return a solid amount of varsity experience and should easily improve upon last year’s record. Maksimik gives Shenandoah Valley a lot of length and scoring ability, while Burke is the team’s defensive leader. How quickly the sophomores and juniors on roster adapt to roles and step up offensively will determine team’s success. Will be improved.

Tri-Valley

Head coach: Mike Masser (15^th season)

Last season: 17-8, District 11 Class AA qualifier

Key losses: Layne Yoder, Caden Leonard, Luke Wehry

Key returners: Owen Miller (jr., G), Blake Schwartz (sr., F), Trey Porter (soph., F), Matt Raulston (sr., F), Braeden Doyle (jr., F), Gavin Klock (jr., G)

Key newcomers: Jack Wehry (soph., G), Brady Straub (sr., G), Jordan Heidbreder (sr., F), Camryn Olmos (jr., F), Chase Lower (soph., F), Maliki Porter (soph., F), Carter Troutman (fr., G), Ty Troutman (fr., G), Kingsley Johnson (fr., G), Logan Readinger (fr., F).

Outlook: Dawgs have a lot of height with Schwartz and Raulston and a lot of athleticism with Miller, Doyle, Porter and Klock. Need to have consistent guard play to provide offensive and defensive balance. Have the talent to be competitive in Division II and challenge for one of the three league playoff berths.

Weatherly

Head coach: Luke Medico (2^nd season)

Last season: 2-20, 1-12 Division II

Key losses: Austyn Lamonica

Key returners: Ian McKeegan (jr., G), Corbin Wagner (jr., G), Niko Saladukas (jr., G), John Donish (sr., C), Chance Stauffer (soph., F)

Key newcomers: Brandon Davis (jr., G), Dominick Kokinda (soph.), Matt Adler (soph.)

Outlook: Wreckers have a pair of strong scorers in McKeegan and Saladukas and should improve upon last year’s record. Donish and Stauffer must play well in paint to balance guard-heavy rotation. Will be improved.

Williams Valley

Head coach: Denny Kasper (30^th season)

Last season: 11-12, 5-8 Division II. District 11 Class AA qualifier

Key losses: Alex Achenbach, Gavin Sutton

Key returners: Brady Shomper (jr., G/F), Evan Achenbach (jr., G/F), Bryce Zilinski (jr., F), Brayden Crisswell (sr., C)

Key newcomers: Evan Kandybowski (jr., F), Gabe Rodriguez (fr., G), Koen Zilinski (fr., F)

Outlook: Vikings return four starters from last season and will count on all of them to be team leaders and scorers. Extended football season may have impact early in season until players get their bodies in basketball mode. Should challenge for Division II honors and a league playoff berth.