BASKETBALL PREVIEWS: Pocono Mountain West may be MVC's best

FROM THE MORNING CALL

When it comes to Mountain Valley Conference boys basketball, it has all been about the power of Poconos in recent years.

Pocono Mountain East and Pocono Mountain West have been the two dominant programs, meeting for the league title in each of the past two seasons.

Pleasant Valley and Stroudsburg also return a considerable amount of talent and figure to be in contention under veteran coaches Ken Piontkowski and Shawn Thornton.

Former Stroudsburg star Rich Baker is in his second season at East Stroudsburg South and figures to have more success in his sophomore season in charge.

Lehighton has struggled in the MVC for many years, but the Indians have a new coach in Rich Oertner, a former Northern Lehigh coach who brings a championship pedigree.

The Indians will not contend for a championship but figure to be much more competitive.

It also adds up to an interesting season that begins its schedule Dec. 16 and concludes Feb. 10 with the league tournament slated for Feb.15 and 17.

Based on the comments of the coaches, here's one forecast on how it will turn out:

Pocono Mountain West, 2. Pocono Mountain East, 3. Stroudsburg, 4. Pleasant Valley, 5. East Stroudsburg South, 6. East Stroudsburg North, 7. Lehighton. Champ: Pocono West.

Here's a capsule look at the seven MVC programs as well as three of the area's independent teams — Pius X, Moravian Academy and the Lincoln Leadership Charter School.

EAST STROUDSBURG SOUTH

•Coach: Rich Baker (second season).

•Last year: 5-16, 3-9 MVC.

•Key losses: Kyle Peck, John Caldera.

•Returnees: G Kwame Simmons (6-1, sr.); G Kashawn McLaughlin (6-1,sr.); F Andrew Franklin (6-3, sr.); G Max Mercado (5-11, sr.); G Dominique Quick (6-1, jr.) F Khalik Wickham (6-4, jr.);

•Newcomer: G Olesby Mercer (6-0, frosh).

•Outlook: Baker looks to make vast strides with the Cavaliers in his second season. "We're definitely looking to improve with the returning guys we have," he said. "With another year behind us, the guys better understand the expectations we have for this program. We lost a lot of close games. We couldn't finish games and that's where we need to improve." Baker is promising a team that will get up and down the floor quickly. "We will push the ball as much as possible on offense and use pressure as much as we can on defense to force turnovers. Rebounding is going to be a big key."

EAST STROUDSBURG NORTH

Coach: Kevin Kennedy (eighth season, 71-97).

•Last year: 9-13, 3-9 MVC.


•Key returnees: F Jarrel Bobb (6-0, sr.); G Jamal Fort (5-9, sr.); G Michael Knight (6-0, sr.); G Kyle Mills (5-10, sr.); G Josh Ortiz (6-0, sr.).

•Newcomers: F Julian Anamege (6-1, sr.); G Shaimell Byrd (5-7, soph); G Will Quiles (5-7, soph); G Malique John (5-10, soph); F Daquan Mack (6-3, jr.).

•Outlook: Kennedy said his team has quickness and works together well. Rebounding is a concern. The Timberwolves expect to contend in both the league and for a District 11 playoff berth.

LEHIGHTON

•Coach: Rich Oertner (first season, 161-99 in 10 seasons at Northern Lehigh from 2000-2010).

•Last year: 1-21, 0-12 MVC.

• Key losses: DJ Rossino (tore ACL), Cordell Evans, Joshua Evans.

•Returnees: G Nate Kresge (5-7 sr.) 5.0 ppg ; C Alex Guyn (6-4, sr.).

•Newcomers: G/F Jacen Nalesnik (6-1, jr.); G/F Monti Thompsn (6-0, jr.); F Vince Mele (6-3, soph); G Anthony Rossino (5-8, soph); G James Farano (6-1, soph); G Jordan Knappenberger (6-1,frosh); G Tyler Crum (6-0, frosh).

•Outlook: Oertner inherits a program that has won just two games in the last three seasons and hasn't won a league game in several years. "It's definitely a rebuilding process, but the kids are gaining confidence during the scrimmages," he said. "We're already seeing a lot of improvement. We just have to keep moving forward. We share a lot of athletes here at Lehighton and some of these kids are coming from other sports and getting on the same page." The Indians will win some games this year, but it will take until next year until the team can contend for a district spot.

PLEASANT VALLEY

•Coach: Ken Piontkowski (17th season, 196-205).

•Last year: 11-13, 6-6 MVC.

•Postseason: Lost to Pocono Mountain 65-58 in MVC semis. Lost to Bangor 37-35 in the District 11 4A tournament.

•Key losses: Mike Sharpe, Eric Wild, Richie Irving, Tevin Franklin.

•Returnees: G Nick Stanovick (6-1, sr.); F Selwyn Wright (6-1, sr.); F/C John Guadagna (6-2, sr.); C Marquis Brown (6-5, soph).

•Newcomers: F Tom Gerolimatos (6-3, sr.); F Sean Dekmar (6-1, sr.); G Dre Shivers (5-7, sr.); F Devon Howard (6-1, jr.).

Outlook: Piontkowski said the Bears are more athletic at every position than they have been in recent years and have a true big man in Marquis Brown. Newcomer Dre Shivers has shown signs of being an exciting point guard, which wouds free up Nick Stanovick to concentrate less on running the offense and more on scoring. He added that the Bears must learn to play as a team and get away from too much one-on-one. Look for this team to be no worse than .500.

POCONO MOUNTAIN EAST

•Last year: 17-9, 11-1 MVC.

•Postseason: Beat Stroudsburg 59-52, lost to Pocono Mt. West 56-54 in MVC tournament. Beat Emmaus (53-49), lost to Pocono Mt. West (56-53) in District 11 4A tournament.

•Key losses: Emerson Bursis, Justen Escobar, Dylan Grotevant, Lamont Tillery, Parker Munson, Tim Pacheco, Miz Ruiz, Kamall Richards (transferred).

•Returnees: G David Garcia (6-3, sr.).

•Newcomers: G Kole Harris (5-8, sr.); G Pat Gleason (6-0, sr.); F Jok Asiyo (6-3, sr.); F Kevin Stapler (6-0, sr.); F Dave Maloney (6-1, sr.); G Kevin Wheeler (5-10, sr.); G Steve Yarosh (5-10, sr.); F Steven Randazzo (6-0, jr.); G Kyle Harris (6-0, jr.); G Keith Clark (5-9, jr.); F Ryan Sickler 6-5, sr.).

•Outlook: Heaton said his team possesses strong senior leadership and athletic ability. Six team members were either first or second-team all-stars in other sports. All 12 members have been in the Cardinals program since seventh grade. The team lacks proven scoring and decision-making; team defense and rebounding will be more important this season. Expect the Cardinals to come back to the pack a little, but the team should still remain in the league's upper echelon and qualify for districts.

POCONO MOUNTAIN WEST

•Coach: Brad Pensyl (10th season at West, 180-55;, 23rd year overall, 404-172.

•Last year's record: 21-6, 11-1 MVC.

•Postseason: Beat Pleasant Valley 65-58 in MVC semis, Pocono Mt. East 56-54 in MVC finals. Beat Pocono East 56-53, but lost to Allen 59-49 and Pottsville 59-53 in District 11 tournament.

•Key losses: Kevin Anema, Jake Boyle, Tynell Fortune 20 ppg, Keon Scott.

•Returnees: F Jon Amoroso (sr.); F Quindell Brice (sr.); G Mike Collins (sr.); F Ty Dixon (sr.); G Erick Vick (jr.); F Dwayne Vines (sr.).

•Newcomers:G Malachi Howard (6-0, soph); G Joe Wiggins (5-9, soph); G Jordan Hardy (6-0, soph); F Leon Baptiste (6-3, jr.); G Darren Dixon (5-10, jr.).

•Outlook: The Panthers will miss Fortune, who did it all for Pensyl's team a year ago. But based on what they did in the summertime, West will still be formidable and will contend for league and district titles. Pensyl said his guys work extremely hard and are physical and fast. The Panthers need to work on offensive execution in the halfcourt. They will be tested with a tough nonleague schedule that includes Easton in the season opener and Allen on Wednesday. "This team will have to be very focused and realize that they don't get any nights off."

STROUDSBURG

•Coach: Shawn Thornton (20th season, 273-211.

•Last year:11-13, 8-4 MVC. Lost to Pocono Mountain East 59-52 in MVC semis. Lost to Nazareth 62-41 in the District 11 4A tournament.

Key losses: Kai Ahmad, Tommy Fabian, Brandon Fenner, Stephen Poorman, Isiah Taylor, Gavin Williams.

•Returnees: G Timmy Kaiser (sr.); G Langston Northern (sr.); C Sebastian Joseph (jr.); F Kyle Watson (soph).

Stephon Marbury •Newcomers: G Ryan Clouse (sr.); F Tyrell Bradshaw (sr.); F Winston Walker (sr.); G Quay Rogers (sr.); G David Clowney (jr.); F Skyler Brandt (jr.); F Justen Fenn (jr.); G Jacob Battle (soph).

•Outlook: The Mountaineers are expected to contend for the league title and Thornton is pleased with his team's commitment and willingness to work. Minimizing turnovers will be a top priority. Thornton said if the team learns and players settle into their roles, the Mounties will get better as the season goes along and have a successful season.

OTHERS

LINCOLN LEADERSHIP

•Coach: Al Blount (first season; 24-42 in three seasons at Becahi).

•Players to watch: G/F Xavier Romero (6-4, jr); G/F Taaj Williams (6-4, jr.); G Dwayne Robertson (5-7, jr.) G/F Sis-Obed Torres (6-1, jr.); F Jean Pierre D'Meza (6-3, jr.).

•Outlook: This is the charter school's first season of competition. Blount, who replaced Grant Whary as coach in the fall, said there's talent in place. However, he said that this is different from his first year at Becahi, when he wanted to open things up get the kids playing with "controlled chaos." Here he is looking more for organization. "We'll be successful if we can play as an organized unit. Several of the kids are from the New York City area and Romero and Williams figure to lead the team in scoring and most other categories. Blount said the goal is for the team to qualify for the District 11 Class A tournament.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

•Coach: John Donmoyer (15th season, 167-162, in 37 seasons overall, including 23 at Allen, 590-388).

•Last year: 15-8.

•Postseason: Beat Pius X 45-44 in the District 11 Class A quarterfinals, and then lost to Marian Catholic 52-34 in semis.

•Key losses: Logan Bernard, Adam Blair, Samir Singh, Jacob Pickle,

•Returnees: C Ted Messman (6-5, sr.) 4 ppg; F Luke Gutekunst (6-2, soph) 9 ppg; G Matt Ender (5-10, jr.).

•Newcomers: F Sean Townsend (6-1, soph); G Chris Anderson (5-9, soph); F Tyler Thomas (6-1, sr.); F Inshal Malik (6-1, jr.); G Jack McCambridge (5-8, frosh); F Alex Schulman (6-0, sr.); G Jared Fritz (5-10, soph).

•Outlook: The Lions could be rebuilding after losing four three-year starters from last year's team, especially Bernard, who was one of the area's top scorers and finished with more than 1,200 points. Donmoyer, the area's all-time winningest boys basketball coach, said he will start three sophomores. "We're looking to run and the kids are working hard with a great attitude. We've had two good scrimmages. It's going to come down to how consistent we can be and if our shooting improves. We don't have a lot of depth, but we have a lot of young guys who bode well for the future."

PIUS X

•Coach: A.J. DePue (fourth season, 44-27).

•Last year: 16-7.

•Postseason: Lost to Moravian Academy 45-44 in the District 11 Class A quarterfinals.

•Key losses: James Cooper 8 ppg, Brian Muller 5 ppg.

•Returnees: C Jay Maletz (6-6, sr.); F Caleb Knudson (6-4, sr.); G Tyler Catania (6-1, sr.); Anthony Martino (6-2, sr.), G Dayshon Russell (5-8 soph).

•Newcomers: G Mike Breland (6-0, sr.), G John Goffredo 5-10, soph), G Eric Marbury (5-10, fresh); G Anthony Holmes (5-8,soph); F Drake Freeman (6-2, sr.) F Lyndon Ewing (6-5, soph); C Adonis Cannon (6-2, sr.).

•Outlook: DePue, whose team plays Quakertown tonight in the Jeff Dailey Memorial Tournament at Notre Dame, expects a rough start because half his team consists of football players who just began practicing this week. "They're still going to be getting used to stuff," he said. "There's going to be a transition, but we'll hopefully we'll come together. It's a matter of when." The Royals have an abundance of size with Maletz, Ewing and Knudson. Ewing is a second cousin of Patrick Ewing and Marbury is the nephew of Stephon Marbury. "I don't like to say too much, but the talent and potential is there for us to have a very successful season," DePue said. "But we do have a tough schedule."

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