1. Williamsport (19-9): Coach Allen Taylor knows how dangerous his team could
be and, with that in mind, he will be challenging them against an imposing
schedule. Williamsport usually plays against demanding schedules, but this one
is even tougher with games against top-flight teams like Reading, Steelton-Highspire,
Penn Wood, White Plains, N.Y., and Simon Gratz. Williamsport lost a
heart-breaking, four-overtime district final contest to Abington Heights before
giving Chester one of its toughest postseason games and should be hungry to take
the next step. Jadiah Lynch, Isaiah Twine and Sean Ruane form an outstanding
backcourt, while Dontahe Jordan and Thomas James have the potential to do damage
inside, with Jordan also being able to hurt teams from the perimeter.
Williamsport, which also features a deep bench, last won a district
championship in 2002, but if this group stays focused it has a chance to firmly
re-establish itself as one of the state's elite teams.
2. Hughesville (26-3): Experienced, explosive and deep, the Spartans have the
chance to achieve the same thing at the small-school level. Rezin Davis is one
of the district's best players, while Brian Gerney, Bryan Hoover, Jordan Holmes
and Greg Taggart also have solid range and can cause problems on both ends of
the court. The key for Hughesville could be Addison Hanford and Drew Eiswerth
inside. Crownover was solid offensively in the post, but could dominate
defensively while also leading the team in rebounds. Hanford took some big steps
last year and Eiswerth might have been the most valuable player in the district
championship win over Wyalusing. If that duo can excel inside and play with the
same tenacity Crownover did, it can take pressure off the backcourt, make
Hughesville even tougher and make a deep postseason run a distinct possibility.
3. Montoursville (15-10): A one-point District 4 Class AAA quarterfinal loss
to Danville ended the best season Montoursville experienced this decade. The
good news for the Warriors is that four starters, including Vince Molesky and
Travis Heap, two of the area's premier players, and top reserve Cody Haupt are
back this season. Montoursville will be challenged in the fiercely competitive
Heartland-I but could challenge for both that and the district championship.
Molesky and Heap have been terrific the last two years, but the key will be the
supporting cast and how much pressure it can take off that duo. When
Montoursville plays well together it can be tough to beat as it showed last
January when it went to Williamsport and stunned the Millionaires, 51-44. The
Warriors will immediately be tested when they open at the Berwick Tournament
against Hughesville. Either Wyoming Seminary or Berwick await in the second
game.
4. Loyalsock (13-13): As last season progressed, Loyalsock was one of the
area's most improved teams, rebounding from a 4-7 start, when injuries and a
late-season football run depleted its resources, to reach districts for an
eighth straight year. The Lancers lose just two seniors from that team and
return a talented core that jelled as last season went on. Isaac Bittle has the
potential to be one of the district's top post players, while Colin Kelly,
Stephen Stopper, Antoine Love and Frankie Pagana are versatile and capable of
making Loyalsock a solid up-tempo team. Playing in the Heartland-II instead of
the old CSC-II, Loyalsock receives no breaks. In addition to CSC-II holdovers
Hughesville, Central Columbia, Lewisburg and Southern Columbia, Loyalsock also
competes against Mount Carmel, another district qualifier last year.
5. St. John Neumann (16-11): The Knights led defending District 4 Class A
champion North Penn by 10 points at halftime in the semifinals but lost, 54-50.
Neumann did not recover as Millville ended its season a few days later. So
expect an experienced and talented Neumann team to be extra-motivated entering
the season. First-year coach Larry Foust has a strong roster at his disposal as
all five starters return. Caleb Foust has been one of the area's best players
the last two years and Rod Person developed into a premier post player last
year. Add in versatile athletes like Mike Notor, Nate Fry and Jordan Bush and
Neumann has a strong inside-outside combination that can run the court well.
Neumann lost close semifinal contests to North Penn in the last two district
semifinals but could have enough this season to get over that hump.
Other teams that could make a big impact in 2009: Lewisburg (13-12),
Mansfield (8-16), Milton (22-4), Montgomery (4-20), Muncy (15-10), North Penn
(27-2), Sullivan County (16-9), Wellsboro (18-7)
Sleeper to keep an eye on-South Williamsport: The Mounties return a solid
core from a team that went 11-12 last year and won its last five games. Junior
Nick Koletar has developed into a prime-time player the last two seasons and is
complemented by a solid supporting cast that could flourish under the direction
of first-year coach Matt Fisher, a former Jersey Shore standout and Bloomsburg
University starter.
Sun-Gazette Preseason
All-Star Team
Tim Berguson, Mansfield: The lone holdover from Mansfield's 2007 state
quarterfinalist, Berguson could lead the Tigers back to the postseason. Despite
constant double and triple teams last year, Berguson averaged 21.4 points and
11.7 rebounds while helping a young team take some big strides late in the
season. Dangerous on both ends, the senior forward also averaged more than a
block and a steal per game and ended his season with seven double-doubles in
eight games.
Rezin Davis, Hughesville: The runner-up for preseason player of the year, the
senior swingman is one of the district's best all-around players and has
established himself as a terrific big-game player. Davis led Hughesville to
CSC-II and District 4 championships last year despite being hindered by
season-long injuries and illnesses. The three-year starter averaged 15.5 points,
six rebounds and three assists per game while hitting 80 percent of his free
throws and 43 percent of his 3-point attempts. Against then two-time defending
state champion Prep Charter, Davis showcased all his skills, scoring 30 points,
grabbing 10 rebounds and dealing six assists.
Caleb Foust, St. John Neumann: Despite playing just two varsity seasons, the
senior point guard topped 1,000 career points last season and led Neumann to the
district semifinals for a second straight year. The focal point of just about
every defense Neumann encountered, Foust still averaged 22.9 points, 6.3
rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Foust also had three
double-doubles and scored a career-high 38 points against District 4 Class AA
semifinalist Troy.
Jadiah Lynch, Williamsport: A lightning quick point guard with solid range,
Lynch took a big step forward last year and is the catalyst who helps make
Williamsport go. While he can knock down 3-pointers, Lynch is at his best when
he drives to the basket and either finishes, draws a foul or kicks the ball out
to one of his talented teammates. Also strong on Williamsport's full-court
press, Lynch torched Prep Charter for 29 points in a December win. He also had
19 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 77-46 rout of State College.
Vince Molesky, Montoursville: Really, this is a toss-up between the senior
forward and Heap. But with two point guards already on the team, the All-Stars
needed some more height so Molesky gets the nod. A three-year starter, Molesky
has helped Montoursville reached the postseason in two of the last three years
after the program had not advanced since 1997 prior to his arrival. Molesky
averaged 16.8 points per game last year and also led the team in rebounds. He is
a double-double threat every time he takes the court and is one of the
district's premier shooters.
Preseason Player of the Year
Isaiah Twine, Williamsport: It took about one home game for Twine to become a
fan favorite last season. It's easy to see why because there is plenty to like
about Twine's game. The senior guard was outstanding all season, but especially
excelled late when the pressure was highest. When Lynch was lost late in the
season, Twine moved to point guard and helped negate any negative impact
Williamsport could have absorbed when three other players were lost at various
times. The senior led Williamsport in scoring (15.6) and assists and had two
triple-doubles in Williamsport's last six games. He had at least nine assists in
three of those games and scored no fewer than 17 points in them as well. Like
Lynch, Twine is great at penetration and also has a good outside shot and had 23
points with 10 assists in a 72-67 overtime playoff win over Wyoming Valley West
when Williamsport was playing without two starters.
Second Team: Brian Gerney, Hughesville,Kyle Gleockler, Sullivan County;
Travis Heap, Montoursville; Dontahe Jordan, Williamsport; Rod Persun, St. John
Neumann
Other Players to Watch in 2009: Sean Bell, Lewisburg; Luke Berguson,
Mansfield; Isaac Bittle, Loyalsock; Jake Coolidge, Wellsboro; Lucas Crans,
Elkland; Nate Fry, St. John Neumann; Quinn Fry, Montgomery; Nick Ferguson,
Milton; Brian Gerney, Hughesville; Addison Hanford, Hughesville; Keith Haynes,
Williamsport; Jordan Holmes, Hughesville; Thomas James, Williamsport; Cameron
Jones, Wellsboro; Nick Koletar, South Williamsport; Zach Martin, Muncy; Mike
Notor, St. John Neumann; Mike Peters, Bucktail; Zac Potter, Jersey Shore; Sean
Ruane, Williamsport; Jason Stoner, Sullivan County; Stephen Stopper, Loyalsock;
Nic Wilkins, Sullivan County
-Masse may be reached at
cmasse@sungazette.com
