Delcohoops.com

By Matthew De George

Strath Haven’s 19-win season in 2015-16 ranked as one of the surprises in District 1.

But as John Harrar surveyed the gym this week, he couldn’t help but notice that much of the depth that furnished that special season has moved on.

Where scoring balance was the Panthers’ hallmark last year, Harrar finds himself as the focal point this year, the 6-foot-8 senior accompanied by just one returnee who played more than 12 games last year.

“We’re just trying to get people varsity experience, because we have some people who didn’t even get in last year (that are) starting” this year, Harrar said. “Once we pick that up, we’ll be fine.”

Harrar anticipated changes, with the matriculation of three starting seniors. Point guard Jahmeir Springfield’s transfer to Chester was an unexpected wrinkle.

Though young talent waits in the wings, acclimating them to the rigors of varsity ball requires time.

Harrar understands his task on and off the court. Last year, he served as a support scorer, one of several options in the post as the Panthers efficiently operated inside-out. With less proven shooters than Alex Ischiropoulos and Jayvon Green-Springfield, the spotlight is on Harrar to provide a larger share of the offense.

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By Josh Verlin

The Scholastic Play-By-Play Classics organization has been putting together high school showcase events for the better part of two decades, and this year’s slate is getting ready to get underway this weekend.

The Fred Pickett Classic, taking place this Saturday and Sunday, features six games to open up the year; the City Play-By-Play Classic, which takes place Wednesday at Arcadia, features another terrific pair of games.

Here’s a look at both events; all schools from Pennsylvania unless otherwise noted:

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By Matthew De George

Change pervades the Inter-Ac, with both Episcopal Academy and Haverford School underdoing intriguing offseason metamorphoses.

The big name for Haverford School is Christian Ray, who transferred in from Octorara and reclassified for 2019. The 6-foot-5 Ray already has two years of high school experience and a handful of Division I offers.

He’s expected to form a dynamic tandem with Kharon Randolph, who as a sophomore was a first-league All-Inter-Ac pick and one of Delco’s leading scorers.

This remains a guard-heavy and youthful contingent, with Joe Dignazio providing heady play and Gavin Burke establishing a reputation for clutch 3-point shooting as a freshman. Nasir Smith and Jameer Nelson Jr. will also feature in the rotation.

In the post, 6-foot-5 sophomore Asim Richards will be asked to shoulder much of the load.

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By Matthew De George

Before the word “Lower Merion” is finished being enunciated, Kairi Jones starts ruefully shaking his head.

“I think about it every day,” the Penn Wood senior guard said, memories of a 68-66 overtime loss to Lower Merion in the first round of last year’s District 1 Class 4A tournament still raw.

The Aces went on to the PIAA tournament. The Patriots, on the heels of a second straight, first-round, overtime ouster, have a new coach and a new resolve not to repeat the past with a seasoned group.

Longtime assistant and Penn Wood grad Matt Lindeman takes the reins from Clyde Jones, who departed for Girard College. The parallel of Lindeman, a 1998 baseball All-Delco, growing into the coaching role as the Patriots mature around him is poignant.

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By Josh Verlin

The faces might be different, but the programs at the top of the Central League won’t surprise anybody.

Lower Merion, Ridley and Conestoga all graduated significant senior classes, but the trio will yet again be challenging with the likes of Garnet Valley, Penncrest, Strath Haven and the rest of the league for a spot in the four-team league playoff come February, as well as a spot in the district playoffs.

There’s going to be a number of new stars emerging, however, with a mix of several notable sophomores, juniors and seniors ready to make their impact at the varsity level.

Here’s a look around the league, featuring teams and players to know:

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By Michael Bullock

Well, here we go again.

Back for the second year, City of Basketball Love is going to take another deep rip at splicing together preseason rankings for each of Pennsylvania’s six classifications.

If that seems like a bigger venture than last season, it is since PIAA has upped the number of classes for the first time in 30-plus years — jumping from four to six.

That’s right, six.

And while we’ll spend today revealing Class 5A — Classes 4A, 3A, 2A and A were unveiled earlier this week — check back periodically for the remaining classifications as we crescendo toward the season’s Dec. 9 start.

Should be fun.

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