LebCo Boys Basketball Season Update: January 25

Records are current as of the time of publication, but power rankings may be slightly lagged.  We will fix these as they become available.

To see the rosters of any of the teams mention below, please visit the Season Outlook section and visit any of the teams from there.

Home teams are in italics, Bolded games are wins

     Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4

Current Record: 8-9 overall, 1-4 in Section 4 (4th place)

District Power Ranking: #7 AAA (top 6 qualify)

Last 5 Games: WLWWL

1/9: Annville-Cleona 39, Northern Lebanon 30

1/12: Columbia 68, Annville-Cleona 34

1/16: Annville-Cleona 51, Williams Valley 37

1/20: Annville-Cleona 43, Pequea Valley 33

1/23:  Lancaster Mennonite 49, Annville-Cleona 33

Update: Winners in four of their last six, the Dutchmen have played themselves back into post-season contention.  During this stretch, Annville-Cleona has seen an elevated level of play from several players, including senior guard Ricky Cruz who has become a regular scorer in most games (7.1 ppg).  Sophomore Jon Shay continues to be the #1 scoring option (12.9 ppg) and provides solid rebounding (8.4 rpg), but the team is finding success as the ball is being distributed more than it was earlier in the year.  Sophomore Elisha Slabach is another scoring option, along with junior Ben Morcom who has given the Dutchmen an outside scoring threat.  Senior Gavin Keller has also seen an increased role in the offense.  If Annville can remain on this current path, they could have the chance to make a bit of a post-season run.

     Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 8-8 overall, 4-3 in Section 1 (3rd place)

District Power Ranking: #13 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Games: WLLLWW

1/10: Cedar Crest 51, Manheim Township 29

1/12: JP McCaskey 51, Cedar Crest 49

1/14: Wilson 59, Cedar Crest 40

1/20: Hempfield 60, Cedar Crest 42

1/21: Cedar Crest 62, Bishop McDevitt 46    @Manheim Central

1/24: Cedar Crest 53, Penn Manor 36

Update: This season has been a bit of a roller coaster for the Falcons, as they remain one of the more dangerous teams in the LL, even if their record does not totally show what they have.  Saturday’s win over Bishop McDevitt proved just how good Crest can be when they are hitting their shots.  The team has had several scorers contribute to their offense, including senior J’veon Reyes-Vega.  Junior Aiden Schomp has been a steadying force for the Falcons. Fellow juniors Owen Chernich, Fernando Marquez, and Leo Tirado have all taken turns in helping to light up the scoreboard.  It will take this balance and strong offensive performances if Cedar Crest wants to make the playoffs.  If (when) they do, watch out.

    ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 8-8 overall, 2-5 in Section 3 (5th place)

District Power Ranking: #8 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Last 5 Games: WLLLL

1/6: ELCO 48, Blue Mountain 45

1/10: Cocalico 54, ELCO 45

1/13: Octorara 63, ELCO 50

1/17: Donegal 40, ELCO 30

1/19: Lampeter Strasburg 51, ELCO 36

Update: After an exciting stretch that included several come from behind wins, the Raiders have hit a rough patch.  Since their last loss, they have had some time off to prepare for their upcoming match-up with Annville-Cleona.  During the season, it has been junior Dallas George who has been the most consistent offensive threat for this ELCO squad.  He has been aided by fellow junior Camden Marquette.  There have been several other role players that have provided timely shooting throughout the season.  This is the type of play that the Raiders will need as they round the turn for home with their sights set on earning a spot in the District 3 playoffs.

     Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 0-16 overall, 0-7 in Section 1 (6th place)

District Power Ranking: #26 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Last 5 Games: LLLLL

1/10: Penn Manor 65, Lebanon 39

1/12: Hempfield 59, Lebanon 35

1/16: Hershey 72, Lebanon 31

1/20: Manheim Township 76, Lebanon 43

1/24: JP McCaskey 66, Lebanon 35

Update: The Cedars have remained winless as they work through growing pains, but there is reason for Coach Uffner to believe that this season’s efforts will yield future success.  Recently, sophomore Emmanuel Suarez has begun to return to form after coming back from an ACL injury that he sustained last season.  Suarez has much promise, so seeing him back on the court is encouraging as he reacclimates to playing in game situations.  The other silver lining to the season is that the coaching staff has been able to give key minutes to several other young players that they will be relying upon in future years.  This list includes freshman Malachi Briddell and sophomore Ben DiScuillo, along with freshman Jonnathan Rodriguez and sophomore Paul Trace. In fact, in most games, all available players have seen some time on the floor.

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Current Record: 9-5

District Power Ranking: #6 A (top 10 qualify)

Last 5 Games: WLWLW

1/10: New Covenant 71, Covenant Christian 51

1/14: Williams Valley 68, New Covenant 62

1/17: New Covenant 77, Harrisburg Christian 47

1/19: Alliance Christian 51, New Covenant 48

1/20: New Covenant 52, West Shore Christian 47

1/24: Mount Calvary 65, New Covenant 55

Update: The Flames remain solidly in the hunt for an invite into the District 3 playoffs.  This is an athletic team that has shown a large amount of tenacity in most games.  They are led in scoring by senior Ben Hartman, who is averaging 24 points per game.  In the previous four games prior to last night, he had averaged 27, including two 30+ performances.  At last check, Hartman is just about 150 points away from the 1K points club.  While he is the most prolific scorer, he has been aided by Juan Torres and Tycen Vanderploog, along with the acrobatic abilities of Colson Hess.  New Covenant seems to be ready to take its next step in being known as a basketball school.

     Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 1-16 overall, 0-8 in Section 3 (6th place)

District Power Ranking: #23 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Last 5 Games: LLLLW

1/10: Lancaster Catholic 56, Northern Lebanon 48

1/13: Lampeter Strasburg 57, Northern Lebanon 23

1/19: Cocalico 54, Northern Lebanon 41

1/21: Octorara 79, Northern Lebanon 17

1/24: Northern Lebanon 45, Hamburg 38

Update:  Everyone knew that this was going to be a rebuilding year for the Vikings.  These can often be painful and frustrating, but they do offer opportunities to be hopeful for the future.  In several recent games, Northern Lebanon has been leading, including going into the fourth quarter with the lead against Lancaster Catholic.  Seniors Collin Wall and James Voight continue to play hard in leading the team, while sophomore Riley Messinger is showing that he may be ready to fill their role going into next season.  Junior Riley Clinger is also showing his ability to score.  Young talent is starting to have more of an opportunity to play, including big man Brady Krall, a freshman who is now the backline anchor, offering scoring and rebounding (5 boards per game).  Kael Erdman is another freshman to keep an eye on, as he is learning to play the point guard position at the varsity level and has also shown a unique ability to draw charges.  Other young talent that is quickly developing includes versatile guards Brian Bicksler, Andrew Via, Donovan Brandt, and Kade Erdman.  After a season worst loss to Octorara on Saturday, the Vikings showed their resolve and overall development last night when they scored their first win of the season, beating Hamburg.

   Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Current Record: 9-8 overall, 5-5 in Keystone

District Power Ranking: #13 AAAAA (top 14 qualify)

Recent Results: LLLWWL

1/10: Mechanicsburg 63, Palmyra 54

1/13: Hershey 61, Palmyra 36

1/16: Northern York 43, Palmyra 40

1/18: Palmyra 60, Mifflin County 45

1/20: Palmyra 57, Red Land 50 (OT)

1/24: Milton Hershey 63, Palmyra 53

Update: Currently 9-8, the Cougars are sitting on the bubble in receiving a bid into the  District 3 Tournament.  With a tough stretch of games remaining, Palmyra may be finding their groove at exactly the right time.  This past Friday, they were able to avenge an earlier loss when they scored an OT win over Red Land.  Much of this stretch of the season has forced them on the road (7 of 9), which has added and will add an extra challenge.  When it comes to what has made them successful, there are two major players who pop out, senior Eli Becker and sophomore Alex Dorta.  Becker has been averaging: 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.  Dorta has averaged 11.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals.  The Cougars have found more balance with the increased contributions of sophomore Hank Roesch.  If this Palmyra unit can continue to gel, they may just be a force when it comes to the playoffs.  This is an area where the long bus rides may help.

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