Abington could be best of bunch in District 1 6A tourney
The inaugural PIAA District 1 Class 6A boys' basketball tournament, like the 4A playoffs in recent years, does not have a prohibitive favorite.
The inaugural PIAA District 1 Class 6A boys' basketball tournament, like the 4A playoffs in recent years, does not have a prohibitive favorite.
The top eight seeds have a first-round bye in the 24-team tournament that will begin Friday night.
Led by wing guard Justin Jaworski, who is averaging 21.5 points per game and has drilled 60 three-pointers, Perkiomen Valley comes in as the No. 1 seed.
Jaworski shot 10 for 10 from the line en route to 24 points as the Vikings topped Spring-Ford, 52-45, for the Pioneer Athletic Conference title.
PV's other key contributors are point guard Sean Owens, 6-foot-1 forward Hogan Millheim, 6-1 forward Tyler Strechay, and wing guard Andrew Light.
Missing junior guard Ahmin Williams, who is sidelined with a foot injury, No. 2 seed Plymouth Whitemarsh bowed to No. 3 Abington, 70-66, in the Suburban One League final Monday night.
If Ahmin Williams is done for the season, the Colonials will need a strong effort from his twin, Ahmad; 7-foot center Naheem McLeod; and fleet-footed guard Ish Horn.
Abington is powered by 6-7 sophomore Eric Dixon, guards Robbie Heath, and Lucas Monroe. Heath (30) and Dixon (12) combined for 42 points against PW.
For PW, which won last season's District 1 Class 4A crown with a 68-57 win over Chester, McLeod (17), Ahmad Williams (14), and Horn (10) were double-digit scorers against the Colonials.
Abington is seeking redemption. As the No. 6 seed, Charles Grasty's squad was ousted by No. 27 Upper Dublin, 41-40, in the opening round last year.
Keep a close eye on No. 4 seed Coatesville. The young but dangerous Red Raiders are spurred by point guard Kamau Brickus. His cousin, Jhamir Brickus, is one of two freshman guards in the rotation.
Also in the mix for Coatesville are 6-8 forward Tyrel Bladen, guard Haasan Young, 6-3 forward Joe Boulware, and guard Dapree Bryant.
No. 5 North Penn, looking to rebound from last Saturday's 66-45 loss to Abington, is is fueled by 6-4 seniors Reece Udinski, David Giuliani, and Ricky Johns.
Four seniors lead the way for No. 6 North Penn: 6-8 forward Mark Flagg, a St. Francis (Pa.) recruit; guards Addison Howard and Tyler Sessa-Reeves; and 6-7 forward Billy Warren.
No. 7 Conestoga will try to bounce back from a 62-54 loss to Strath Haven in a Central League semifinal. The Pioneers' Charlie Martin (45) and Scott Shapiro (39) have combined to hit 84 treys.
The headliners for No. 8 Cheltenham are Trevonn Pitts (16.3 ppg., 10.7 rpg.) and Jack Clark (14.2 ppg., 44 treys).
Our 10 state qualifiers, in projected order of finish: Abington, Coatesville, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Perkiomen Valley, Cheltenham, Lower Merion, Pennsbury, Central Bucks West, Conestoga, and Spring-Ford.
@ozoneinq