Main Line hoopsters aim to make mark in Central League in 2021

BOYS

Lower Merion

While the perennially powerful Lower Merion boys’ basketball squad posted a 20-8 record last winter and earned its 10th consecutive trip to the PIAA state tournament – the longest current streak in PIAA 6A boys basketball – the past year has been a challenging one for the Aces.
First was the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant on Jan. 26, 2020, then in mid-March the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the remainder of the PIAA state tournament after the Aces had advanced to the second round.
“This has been a challenging year on a number of levels for the Aces family,” said Lower Merion boys’ basketball head coach Gregg Downer. “We’re excited to be back in the gym and focused on cherishing every moment we have together. We also realize there are no guarantees with the schedule. If we get a chance to play some games, compete and stay healthy, that’s a win.”
Because the COVID-19 pandemic remains ongoing, fans are not allowed in the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium for Lower Merion’s home games (as of Jan. 19), but the school is streaming the Aces’ home games at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3R4CED874UZ7gIwid0KGSA.
As of Jan. 19, the Aces are scheduled to play an 11-game schedule against Central League opponents. Lower Merion’s season opener is scheduled for Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. against Radnor.
Leading the way for the Aces this winter is 6-8 junior guard Demetrius Lilley, who received first team All-Main Line and All-Central League honors in 2020 while averaging 16.9 ppg and 12.1 rpg.
Other Lower Merion players to watch in 2021 include 6-0 senior guard Sam Davison, 6-0 junior guard Jaylen Shippen and 6-1 sophomore guard Sam Brown.

Conestoga
The Pioneers, who posted an 11-11 record last winter, feature a mixture of size in 6-8 senior center Andrew Fox, 6-9 junior power forward/center Mike Walz and 6-6 junior forward Jordan Cuthbert; and an experienced backcourt in senior guards Jerry Miller, Jack Liedtka, Ryan Mackey and Austin Fontaine. Last winter, Liedtka led the Pioneers in scoring (9.5 ppg), three-point shots made and in minutes played, and received first team All-Main Line honors. Miller received second team All-Main Line recognition.
“We’re excited as we have most of our core players back from last year and are looking to build on their experience,” said Conestoga head coach Mike Troy. “The players have worked very hard in the offseason getting better and we can’t wait to get on the court and play games. We will have a height advantage over several teams we play this year and will look to maximize that advantage as well as our experience in the backcourt. Our defense and playing together will also be keys to our success.
“Being in a COIVD environment has brought several changes, including very little summer or fall basketball, wearing masks when we play, and a reduced regular season schedule. It will be a different kind of season as it will definitely be a sprint not a marathon. That being said, all teams are in this environment so we are looking at the positives, being responsible, and look to get after it on the court together.”
Harriton
The Rams lost their top seven scorers from last year’s team to graduation, including guard Markus Bradley-Lowry (14 ppg, first team All-Main Line in 2020) and forward Michael Tabasso (All-Main Line honorable mention last winter).
“We are starting completely over with most of the team never having set foot on a varsity floor,” said Harriton’s first year head coach Jesse Rappaport.
The Rams’ top players are senior guard Dan Katz, senior guard Blake Beauvis, sophomore point guard Reid Belcher and senior guard Nick Masterman.
Rappaport said, “With the late coaching change, and the school district’s and Wolf’s shutdowns we are still learning about each other, and how to play the Harriton way. Our goal is to improve, be safe, and get games in for the boys.
“Having a Central League only schedule is a real challenge, as the league is always strong. Plus, in the league this year we have a wide variety of season start dates, open gym rules, shutdowns – everyone has a different advantage and disadvantage to deal with.”
Harriton’s basketball (and wrestling) contests are streamed on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLo_mwTLE-IRLPXB8ycYtt
Haverford High
The Fords will be led by senior guard John Seidman, who last year averaged 15.4 points per game, as well as 6.0 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game while receiving first team All-Main Line and All-Central League honors.
Other returning senior starters for Haverford are Will Higson and Hunter Kraiza. Junior Nick Colucci and sophomore Googie Seidman saw varsity experience as well in 2020.
Haverford head coach Keith Heinerichs also noted that junior JR Newman is a newcomer who is a great team player on both ends of the floor.
“Our biggest key will be trying to gel together on offensive with a limited off-season,” said Heinerichs. “We want to be aggressive on both ends of the floor but play under control. We need to share the ball on offense and play hard on the defensive end.”
Radnor
Radnor, which finished 15-11 last winter and advanced to the District 1 quarterfinals, features a potent all-around performer in senior guard Lew Robinson, who averaged 14 points and five rebounds per game as a junior, receiving first team All-Main Line honors.
Other key players to watch for Radnor this winter include senior Jahmir Dixon, and sophomores Danny Rosenblum and Charlie Thornton.
“We have a mix of talented young guys who are eager to gain more varsity experience,” said Radnor head coach Jamie Chadwin. “Lew Robinson has been outstanding as a steady lead guard for, we are excited for his senior year.
“We have some length, and good quickness. We hope to be a bit more balanced and dynamic than the past two seasons. We’re focused on the opportunities in front of us, and our strengths… not interested in excuses or limitations.”

GIRLS

Conestoga
The Pioneers, who posted a 7-15 record last winter (4-12 Central League), will have a youthful look in 2021.
“We are going to be a very young team with a lot of new faces that do not have much varsity experience if any at all,” said Conestoga head coach AJ Thompson. “With all of the questions going into the season, the teams with a lot of experience will certainly have an advantage over those that do not.
“That being said, the last two seasons we have taken steps forward to compete each and every night in the Central League and I think this team will continue that trend and might even surprise a few people along the way.”
Conestoga features a couple of solid returning players in sophomore forward Kate Galica (8 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg last year) and junior guard Katie Faith (6 ppg, 3 rpg, 38 percent from three-point range).
Top newcomers for the Pioneers are sophomore Gabby Ridder and freshmen Marisa Francione, Isabella Valencia. Arielle LePage and Katrina Valencia.
“Even though we have a young team we have a tight-knit group that really enjoys each other and wants to compete for each other; so I think that will help us as this season unfolds,” said Thompson. “I’m really excited to finally get in the gym with this group and see where the season takes us. The Central League, as usual, is looking very strong and with such a compact schedule it’s going to be a race to the finish that will be fun to be a part of.”
Harriton
The Rams return six key upperclassmen, with leadership provided by a trio of seniors – guard Lexy Calhoun, Alexia Louca and Sydney Kasmer.
“Lexy is the steady glue that keeps all the parts together,” said Harriton head coach Chris Wielgus of Calhoun, who received All-Main Line honorable mention last winter. “She can score to 3; defend the post and perimeter and has a knack for rebounding.
“Alexia is a force. She is a fierce competitor and strong athlete. Alexia only knows one speed and that is hard. She plays hard and works hard. Alexia doesn’t back down; she can get to the rim and she owns the boards.
“Sydney provides a spark off the bench. She can score to 3 and can re-bound the ball.”
The Rams have a talented junior class, led by guard Annie Aspesi, who was a first team All-Central League and All-Main Line selection last winter, averaging 10.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and 2.5 deflections per con-test, and converting 80 percent of her free throws.
Junior guard Maretta Smith was a second team All-Main Line selection in 2020, and junior forward Mady Calhoun received All-Main Line honorable mention.
“Annie, Mady and Maretta are committed and skilled players,” said Wielgus. “All three have a knack for scoring and a very good understanding of the game and our system of play.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as of Jan. 19 Harriton (and the rest of the Central League) will play a limited regular-season schedule.
“This has been a year of uncertainty and I have no idea how the season will evolve,” said Wielgus. “But I do know we will be ready to compete when the ball goes up for the center jump. I am excited about watching this team play.”
Haverford High
The Fords, who enjoyed a strong 2020 campaign (16-11 record, advanced to Central League Tournament semifinals, advanced to the second round of Districts), lost only one player to graduation last spring and features a deep lineup for the 2021 season.
Leading the way for the Fords are 6-1 sophomore forward Caroline Dotsey and 5-7 senior guard Chiara McGillivray, who were first team All-Main Line selections last winter.
Dotsey was a potent force underneath, averaging 8.8 rpg, 7.5 rpg and 1.2 bpg, while MacGillivray displayed a wide range of skills, averaging 9.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.8 apg while converting 39 treys.
Other key returnees for the Fords include 5-9 senior guard/forward Addison Brodnik, 5-8 junior guard Emma Rowland, 6-0 sophomore forward Mollie Carpenter and 5-5 junior guard Maddie Williams.
“Our biggest key this season is stay healthy,” said Haverford head coach Lauren Pellicane. “Experience gained with a young core from last season will play a large role in this year’s success. Our biggest strength is our depth – we are deeper and more balanced at every position.”
Lower Merion
The Aces return a number of starters from last year, notably senior guard/forward Bridget McCann and senior guard Sophia Dowdall, both of whom received All-Main Line honorable mention last winter; and senior point guard Phoebe Mennis (42 assists last season).
Lower Merion head coach Erin Laney said, “Bridget has a strong outside shot, can score off of the dribble, and is a natural leader on and off the court. Sophia is our best outside shooter – she hit 48 threes and was our leading scorer last year. Phoebe had to take over as starting point guard last season when Ellie O’Keefe had a season-ending injury and will start again this season.”
Senior guard Lindsey Rivkind returns from an ACL tear that sidelined her last year, and junior forward Emma Cloud (6.0 ppg last year) also returns.
“Lindsey has a strong outside shot and a solid dribble drive,” said Laney. “Emma was our most consistent post player last year. She’s undersized, but has a strong 15-foot jumper.”
Laney said the Aces’ biggest key this season is focusing on the funda-mentals.
“We’ve focused this preseason on re-teaching basic offensive and defensive skills to achieve our team goal of simply being better than we were last year,” said Laney. “The girls are absorbing each lesson that we’ve thrown at them and are just excited to be playing basketball again after an 11-month hiatus.
“We know there are tough games on our schedule, but our hope is that we can hold our own and perhaps surprise some teams over the next month of competition.”
Radnor
Radnor, which posted a 16-10 record last winter and advanced to the PIAA state tournament for the fifth time in seven years, feature a couple of returning starters in senior forward Cierra Hopson and senior guard Sally Austen.
Other players to watch for Radnor include senior forward Ellie Rinehart; senior guards Margaret Mooney, Katie DeShan and MK Colleran; junior guards Ava Gummel and Maddie Bader; and sophomore forward Paige Yurchak.
“Rinehart and Yurchak are athletic players who can play both ends of the floor,” said Radnor head coach Mark Jordan. “Gummel and Mooney will be counted on to score for the team.”
Radnor also lost the school’s all-time leading scorer, Ellie Mueller (Princeton University), to graduation.
“Two of our starters opted out this season, so our team lacks varsity experience,” noted Jordan. “We are obviously happy to have a season – especially for our seniors. We will continue to improve into late February and the girls will look to play up-tempo throughout the campaign. Our seniors do get along very well with each other – so that’s a plus. We will enjoy every minute that we have the chance to be together in this truncated season.”