District 1 6A Second-Round Preview

By CoBL Staff

The 16 teams left in the District 1 6A bracket all have something in common: one win on Tuesday means a berth in the PIAA Class 6A state tournament, not to mention a spot in the district quarterfinals.

Eight teams will lock up berths tomorrow night, while the losing eight go into a play-back bracket, whose two final teams also qualify for the state tournament.

Here’s a look at each of the eight games taking place on Tuesday night (all games 7 PM at higher seed unless otherwise noted):

1) Perkiomen Valley vs. 16) Garnet Valley
This could be one of the more fun shootouts of the second round, as the two “Valleys” both love the 3-point shot, and both hit at a reliable pace with the ability to absolutely catch fire for stretches. Both are having season-to-remember type years, as well: Perkiomen Valley (21-3) won the most games in school history and captured the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship; Garnet Valley (15-8) won its first district playoff game since its transition from small-school to the Central League in 2008 (and well before that). Both teams are looking for their first-ever state playoff berth, and it’s likely going to come down to whoever’s feeling it from deep.

Each team is led by a dominant scoring guard with a very capable partner in crime. For the Vikings, it’s senior guard Justin Jaworski, the two-sport star who’s the shoe-in for PAC Player of the Year. The 5-11 dynamo is an outstanding 3-pointer shooter and rebounder from the guard position who can also get into the lane and make things happen; Sean Owens, a tough 5-10 scoring combo, fits in perfectly as well in Mike Poysden’s constant-motion offense. The Jaguars are paced by junior Austin Laughlin and senior Brandon Starr, who average slightly above and slightly below 20 ppg, respectively. In the first-round win over Methacton, GV got a nice boost from junior guard Connor O’Brien, who knocked down four 3s (including a half-court buzzer-beater at halftime) and dished out seven assists in the 49-45 win.

(click on this link for the full 8 game preview)