High school hoops preseason tour: Stop No. 1 is at Parkland

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Monday marked the official start of practice for the winter sports season, including boys basketball.

I am not the best at math, but I count 18 days starting with Monday and leading into the basketball season openers on Friday, Dec. 6.

The goal for me is to go 18-for-18 and get to 18 different teams, or at the very least, visit with 18 different coaches, in the buildup to the start of the season. We won't get to everybody in the LVC, MVC or Colonial League, but we hope to get to a majority of the most intriguing teams entering the 2013-14 season.

This high school boys season figures to be fascinating with new coaches, new players in new places and a couple of very strong teams with at least the potential of making a run at ending our 27-year drought when it comes to PIAA state championships.

We start with one of those teams with immense potential:

PARKLAND

Coach: Andy Stephens (sixth season at Parkland, 87-45; 10th season overall, 161-80).

Last year: 22-8 overall, 11-3 LVC. Postseason: Lost to Liberty 66-48 in LVC title game, but won District 11 4A championship with 65-50 win over Freedom. Beat Ridley, then lost to Great Valley in state tournament.

New to staff: None.

Scrimmages: Nov. 26 vs. Trinity at Parkland (6); Sat., Nov. 30 vs. Notre Dame at Parkland (10 a.m.).

Opener: Dec. 7 at Bethlehem Catholic in Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic.

Key date: Feb. 1 vs. Lower Merion at Parkland.

Players to watch: Sr. G Jimmy Hahn; Sr. G/F Justin Zajko; Sr. G Nick Rindock; Sr. F Nick Selvaggi; Sr. F Alex Mitton; So. G Devante Cross; Jr. G Nick Hassler.

Key loss: Austin Beidelman.

What's to like: Plenty. The Trojans return four returning starters from a team that won 22 games and a district title. And expect additional depth from freshman and JV teams that didn't lose a game last season. Players like freshman Sam Iorio and sophomores Jack Dreisbach and Kyle Stout are ready to emerge as impact players.

What's to worry about: Keeping everybody happy. The Trojans can go 10 or 12 deep, but can only play five at a time. Also finding the right chemistry and mix of guys, plus playing time for certain guys. 

Quotable: "I'm excited about the season in general because I think we can be really good," Stephens said. "I'm nervous about guys accepting roles, and hoping they'll be patient with what's developing. We do have unselfish kids and this is a fun group to be around. I think we have the type of team that can beat anyone on any given night. We don't have a Division I player among our upperclassmen but we have kids who will play college basketball somewhere. I think we have a lot of good senior leadership and some young guys who will be ready to chip in."

Four months from now: Could be district champs and still alive in 4A state tournament.

PHOTO: That's Nick Rindock driving to the basket against Constitution in the SportsFest A-town Throwdown.