I am running a bit behind this year.
Usually by this point, I’ve put together my annual mid-season look at the high school boys’ basketball season. We are, however, past that point. In fact, a good majority of the teams are headed down the home stretch and — hard to believe — the Schuylkill League playoffs are just three weeks away.
So with thoughts of Martz Hall and the postseason not that far off, let’s call this the beyond mid-season progress report.
As expected, Pottsville (15-0 overall, 8-0 Division I) has been as good as everybody anticipated. In fact, the Crimson Tide, ranked No. 8 in the state in the most recent Pennlive.com Class AAA rankings, have been dominating, winning their games by an average of 33.6 points per game.
While the Crimson Tide appear to be well on their way to winning their sixth consecutive division title, there are still plenty of races to follow in the coming weeks.
Tamaqua (13-2, 7-1) is a game behind Pottsville for the Division I lead and is two games up on Blue Mountain (8-6, 5-3) for second place in the division and the league wild-card spot. North Schuylkill (9-3, 4-3) is 2½ games behind Tamaqua.
Minersville (10-3, 6-1) and Williams Valley (9-4, 5-2) have emerged as the leaders in Division II, with the Vikings a game out of first. The Miners won the first meeting of the season between the two Dec. 15, with the second showdown set for Friday in Tower City.
Mahanoy Area (11-2, 7-0), last year’s overall league champ, has taken control of the Division III race. The Golden Bears have come together in the new year and are two games ahead of Shenandoah Valley (6-8, 5-2) and three up on Nativity (8-6, 4-3) in the division.
What follows is a brief look at how all 21 area teams are doing to this point in the season:
DIVISION I
Blue Mountain (8-6 overall, 5-3 D-I)
Team rankings: Offense (53.8 points per game, 7th), defense (50.0, 12th)
Leading scorers: Mark Chelius (15.8 points per game), Aaron Albertini (11.0)
Review/outlook: The Eagles’ non-league win over Pleasant Valley on Saturday snapped a two-game losing skid. In the running for a spot in the Schuylkill League and District 11 Class AAA playoffs. Making the postseason would be beneficial for a team that starts three sophomores and a junior.
Jim Thorpe (5-9, 2-5)
Team rankings: Offense (46.1, 11th), defense (51.1, 13th)
Leading scorers: Shane Snisky (10.1), Rayan Green (9.8)
Review/outlook: The Olympians have taken steps forward since last season and had won 3-of-4 before suffering a three-game losing streak against the division’s top-three teams. A strong finish in their seven remaining division games might get them a spot in the District 11 Class AAA field.
Lehighton (10-5, 3-4)
Team rankings: Offense (64.5, 2nd), 54.3, 17th)
Leading scorers: Jordan Knappenberger (15.9), Tyler Crum (14.6)
Review/outlook: Indians have gone 1-4 after a 9-1 start and the 30 points scored during a loss to Northampton on Saturday were a season low. They still have plenty of talented offensive players, but need to break out of their slump to make a run during the District 11 Class AAA playoffs.
North Schuylkill (10-3, 4-3)
Team rankings: Offense (52.1, 8th), defense (46.5, 8th)
Leading scorers: Tevin Murray (14.2), Major Jordan (9.7)
Review/outlook: The Spartans have won three straight, including a big win over Blue Mountain last Thursday that got them back in the division wild-card race. Defense has been solid for the most part, but the foul shooting (49.8 percent) must improve.
Panther Valley (3-12, 1-7)
Team rankings: Offense (35.7, 19th), defense (57.7, 19th)
Leading scorers: Chad Dubosky (7.5), Tristan Blasko (6.9)
Review/outlook: The young Panthers have struggled on both ends of the floor. Thursday’s 68-51 loss to Lehighton was a big improvement from the 75-31 defeat to the Indians earlier in the season. Looking to be more competitive down the stretch and build for the future.
Pine Grove (2-13, 0-7)
Team rankings: Offense (41.1, 16th), defense (56.3, 18th)
Leading scorers: Kobe D’Agostino (17.7), Mark Weinus (7.4)
Review/outlook: D’Agostino is having standout year for the Cardinals, who have loss six in a row. Looking for a strong finish as the program continues to rebuild.
Pottsville (15-0, 8-0)
Team rankings: Offense (63.9, 3rd), defense (30.3, 1st)
Leading scorers: Travis Blankenhorn (17.9), Eli Nabholz (11.2)
Review/outlook: The Crimson Tide have overwhelmed the opposition. The big question is, how far will they go in the postseason?
Tamaqua (13-2, 7-1)
Team rankings: Offense (53.8, 4th), defense (43.3, 4th)
Leading scorers: Brett Kosciolek (18.5), Bo Rottet (17.5)
Review/outlook: The Raiders are having their best season in years and control their own destiny in their quest to make the league playoffs for the first time since 1995. Now have the solid defense to go along with an already high-scoring offense.
DIVISION II
Lourdes (4-10, 1-6)
Team rankings: Offense (39.4, 18th), defense (44.9, 7th)
Leading scorers: Larry Czeponis (10.2), Jordan Fobia (9.1)
Review/outlook: Red Raiders’ win over Sunbury Christian on Saturday snapped an eight-game losing streak. Defense has been pretty solid, but the offense has struggled. Strong finish will build momentum for a team that is loaded with underclassmen.
Minersville (10-3, 6-1)
Team rankings: Offense (51.3, 9th), defense (42.6, 2nd)
Leading scorers: Chris Leshko (11.4), David Graham (11.0)
Review/outlook: A last-second, heart-breaking loss to Mahanoy Area last Thursday snapped a four-game winning streak. Strong defense has backed up a balanced offensive attack. Need one more win to reach the District 11 Class AA playoffs. Could put themselves in position to win division title with victory at Williams Valley on Friday.
Schuylkill Haven (7-8, 3-4)
Team rankings: Offense (45.0, 14th), defense (44.0, 5th)
Leading scorers: Danny Blugis (11.2), J.T. Hughes (9.0)
Review/outlook: Hurricanes dropped back under .500 with two losses this past week. Offense hasn’t been great, but defense has kept them in every game. Have played hard to this point and need to finish strong to be rewarded with a District 11 Class AA playoff berth.
Tri-Valley (2-10, 0-7)
Team rankings: Offense (45.7, 13th), defense (52.1, 15th)
Leading scorers: Jaden Buchanan (14.0), Jericho Zemencik (9.8)
Review/outlook: The Bulldogs have been a disappointment and are currently on a nine-game losing streak. A few wins would help end the season on a positive note.
Williams Valley (9-5, 5-2)
Team rankings: Offense (45.8, 12th), defense (44.4, 6th)
Leading scorers: Nick Rodichok (18.8), Cody Miller (9.1)
Review/outlook: After a 1-2 start, the Vikings have won 8-of-11. Defense has kept them in games while offense has produced enough points to put them two wins away from a spot in the District 11 Class AA playoffs. A victory over Minersville on Friday will make a tight division race even tighter.
DIVISION III
Mahanoy Area (12-2, 2-7)
Team rankings: Offense (54.4, 5th), defense (42.9, 3rd)
Leading scorers: Matt Yedsena (15.7), Brian Miller (15.0)
Review/outlook: The Golden Bears have been perfect in the new year, winning seven straight. Defense has been strong again, while plenty of new faces have stepped up offensively. Already postseason bound and in control of their own destiny to win a third straight division title.
Marian (6-7, 3-4)
Team rankings: Offense (43.4, 15th), defense (47.5, 10th)
Leading scorers: Mike Vercusky (8.8), Nick Wesner (8.8)
Review/outlook: Colts put themselves back in the running for a spot in the District 11 Class AA playoffs by winning three of their last four games. Have been competitive in most division contests and have plenty of opportunities to make the postseason.
Nativity (9-6, 4-3)
Team rankings: Offense (54.3, 6th), defense (53.3, 16th)
Leading scorers: Jeff Yordy (23.5), Dominic Piccioni (9.7)
Review/outlook: Hilltoppers have hit a bit of a rough patch, losing 2-of-5 after a 7-3 start. Other scorers have stepped up to complement Yordy, but the defense needs to improve. All but certain to make the District 11 Class A playoffs.
Shenandoah Valley (7-8, 5-2)
Team rankings: Offense (50.3, 10th), defense (49.2, 11th)
Leading scorers: Joel Santana (18.8), Ian McCole (10.7)
Review/outlook: Blue Devils are coming around, winning five straight after a 2-8 start. Hot streak has got them back in the division race and put them in position to qualify for the District 11 Class A playoffs. Will be a team to reckon with down the stretch.
Weatherly (3-9, 1-6)
Team rankings: Offense (39.9, 17th), defense (46.8, 9th)
Leading scorers: Luke Reiner (13.3), Luke Figas (9.3)
Review/outlook: The Wreckers’ defense has been decent, however offense has really struggled. Been competitive and in their share of games, but have been unable to finish them off with wins.
BERKS LEAGUE
Hamburg (0-17, 0-6)
Team rankings: Offense (32.2, 20th), defense (59.3, 20th)
Leading scorers: Logan Adams (8.4), Corey Evangelista (5.1)
Review/outlook: The Hawks have been a little bit more respectable offensively the past four games, but the defense gives up way too many points to be competitive. Program has a long way to go and a win or two would be a step in the right direction.
TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE
Upper Dauphin (12-3, 7-1)
Team rankings: Offense (65.7, 1st), defense (51.5, 14th)
Leading scorers: Matthew Miller (24.5), Alex Uhler (10.2)
Review/outlook: Trojans have won four straight and are tied for first place in the Tri-Valley League East Division with Halifax. Are in position to qualify for the District 3 Class AA playoffs and are in the hunt to make the TVL’s four-team league playoffs.
INDEPENDENT
Gillingham Charter (0-11)
Team rankings: Offense (17.1, 21st), defense (61.9, 21st)
Leading scorers: Isaiah Thompson (5.8), Nate Woodling (4.5)
Review/outlook: The 40 points scored during a loss to Berks Christian last Thursday were a program high for the Wolf Pack. Still searching for program’s first victory.
(Carnahan is the boys’ basketball beat writer for The-Republican-Herald. Follow him on Twitter @mdcarnahan71 and read his blog at http://blogs.republicanherald.com/ac/)
Power poll
Through Jan. 17
W-L Pvs
1. Pottsville 15-0 1
2. Tamaqua 13-2 2
3. Mahanoy Area 12-2 7
4. Minersville 10-3 4
5. North Schuylkill 10-3 6
6. Blue Mountain 8-6 5
7. Lehighton 10-5 3
8. Upper Dauphin 12-3 10
9. Williams Valley 9-5 9
10. Nativity 9-6 8
— Complied by Mike Carnahan