AAA
1. Hollidaysburg
The Golden Tigers drop down for AAAA, and should make an immediate impact in the AAA race. Don't expect a great record from Hollidaysburg, but it should be better than last season's 6-15 mark. Hollidaysburg will be a real factor come playoff time, and will force everyone else to step up their games.
2. Johnstown
The Trojans have long been the power in this classification, and they should be a good team once again. Johnstown brings back four starters including talented forward, Shaquan Reid. The meshing a new coach with a veteran team is the key, if they can click early, they will be very dangerous.
3. Somerset
Somerset won the championship last season, and they very well could do it again this year. If past history tells us anything, long football runs don't necessarily hurt teams, but it does slow them down to start the season. It may take a while for Somerset to get rolling especially with Jake Heiple and Dylan Barnes being key players in football. Once they get settled into basketball mode, they will be a very good team.
District Six AA
1. Blairsville
The Bobcats are coming off a solid 19-4 season, and they may be poised to be even better this season. Troy Williams is a go to 6'4" forward capable of posting 20 points and 10 rebounds a night.
2. Bald Eagle
The Bald eagles are coming off a solid 20-6 campaign, and they return two players that averaged double figures last season. Brandon Getting led the team in scoring in 2014, and should do the same again this season. If they can find a group of guys to compliment Getting and Jason Jones, they will be set for another big season.
3. Penns Valley
Terry Glunt has been around for a very long time and his teams are always tough to play. The Rams will play tough defense, and they fill play at their pace. They lose some key players from last season, but they have enough to make a run again this year.
4. West Branch
The Warriors return a pair of high scoring players entering their junior seasons. Austin Krise and Mike Pennington will look to build off solid sophomore campaigns and improve upon their 16-8 mark from last season.
5. Bellwood-Antis
Bellwood had a rough year last year, but should see improvements this year. Nathan Davis is a talented player, and should lead the Blue Devils back into the playoffs this year.
The Bobcats are coming off a solid 19-4 season, and they may be poised to be even better this season. Troy Williams is a go to 6'4" forward capable of posting 20 points and 10 rebounds a night.
2. Bald Eagle
The Bald eagles are coming off a solid 20-6 campaign, and they return two players that averaged double figures last season. Brandon Getting led the team in scoring in 2014, and should do the same again this season. If they can find a group of guys to compliment Getting and Jason Jones, they will be set for another big season.
3. Penns Valley
Terry Glunt has been around for a very long time and his teams are always tough to play. The Rams will play tough defense, and they fill play at their pace. They lose some key players from last season, but they have enough to make a run again this year.
4. West Branch
The Warriors return a pair of high scoring players entering their junior seasons. Austin Krise and Mike Pennington will look to build off solid sophomore campaigns and improve upon their 16-8 mark from last season.
5. Bellwood-Antis
Bellwood had a rough year last year, but should see improvements this year. Nathan Davis is a talented player, and should lead the Blue Devils back into the playoffs this year.
District Five AA
1. Tussey Mountain
The Titans are always a tough team, and coach Dave Bailey will have them in the title hunt all year long. They should be much better than their 12-10 mark from last year. Michael Mitchell should have a big senior season, while Parker Cornelius and Andrew Bithell should provide good second and third options.
2. Chestnut Ridge
The Lions should be the main challengers to Tussey Mountain this season. Ridge should rely on the Wiley's again, just like they did in football. Matt is the leading returning scorer with 17 points a game, while Tyler posted 8 rebounds a game.
3. Berlin-Brothersvalley
The Mountaineers lose their five leading scorers from a 23 win team in 2014, but with a talented junior class - they can make up for it quickly. AA is a different field this year with Township dropping to A, so anything can happen.
District Six A
1. Bishop Carroll
After an incredible 28-1 run last year, the Huskies still have enough in the tank to repeat. Brandon Martinazzi is one of the best players in the area, and could lead BC to another special run.
2. Bishop Guilfoyle
The Marauders may struggle to start the year with many guys on the football field still, but come playoff time they should be rolling.
3. Juniata Valley
The Hornets have plenty of returning from a good team in 2014. They should be a threat to make the state playoffs this season.
4. Homer Center
The Wildcats are always one of the most consistent programs in class A, and they should be in the mix again this season.
5. Ferndale
I had faith in Ferndale last season, but they struggled. I think they can be a serious threat with Ray Hunton leading the charge.
District 5 A
1. Conemaugh Township
The drop to class A is bad news for everyone else. The Indians have won the past three AA championships and have posted a 69-14 record during that span, and they return a few starters from last year's team.
2. Shade
The Panthers return a few key players including guard, Jeremy Pyles. Shade has been as consistent as anyone lately, and they should have some good battles with Township this year.
3. Shanksville-Stonycreek
The Vikings have everything back but leading scorer and team leader, Ryan Platt. If they can work as a team without him, they could be very tough to beat this year.
This looks real good. Any chance you can do team capsules on these teams and or the rest of five and six in basketball
ReplyDeleteThanks, I probably won't go too far in depth - especially with the season starting today. I'll try and keep things updated each week though.
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