Getting a jump on the season

This will be a season of dramatic change for local boys’ basketball teams.

In the Catholic League, the squad formerly known as the St. John Neumann Pirates moved to a new school and changed its name.

Now the Neumann-Goretti Saints, the team is nationally ranked by USA Today.

The Public League is now District XII of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, meaning that city squads can qualify for statewide postseason tournaments. South Philly members — including newcomer CAPA — also will continue to compete for the Public League crown.

Here is a team-by-team look at the season, which is officially underway.

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Public League

All Public League games start at 3 p.m.

Team: Audenried Warriors

Coach: Anthony Rome
2004 overall record: 10-9
Public League division: B
PIAA classification: AAA
Home court: 10th and Fitzwater streets

Rome joins the Public League varsity scene after serving as Furness’ junior-varsity coach. He replaces the retired Hilderbrand Pelzer. The rookie head coach is maintaining team discipline with 6:30 a.m. practices and reports that, for the most part, attendance is good.

The players’ early effort seems to be easing the coach’s transition.

"I like our athleticism and depth and the kids are working hard," Rome said.

Key players:

G Alex Jones 5’8" SR
F Anthony Hill 6’2" SR
C Andrew Hardy 6’6" SR
G Tyreek Jackson 6′ JR
F Kevin Peterson 6’2" JR
G Ashton Jacobs 5’9" SR
F/G Domingo Deleon 6′ JR
G Izaiah Garfield 5’9" SR

Teams to beat: Frankford, Central and Olney

Coach’s outlook: "Our goal is to make the playoffs. We have to get past some good teams in our division."

Schedule

Tuesday Edison Away
Dec. 16 Dobbins Home
Dec. 21 Lincoln Away
Dec. 23 Frankford Home
Jan. 4 Olney Away
Jan. 6 Franklin Home
Jan. 11 Kensington Away
Jan. 13 Mastbaum Home
Jan. 18 Fels Away
Jan. 25 Strawberry Mansion Home
Jan. 27 Northeast Away
Feb. 1 Washington Home
Feb. 8 Penn Away

 

Team: Bok Wildcats

Coach: Lloyd Jenkins
2004 overall record: 9-12
Public League division: A
PIAA classification: AAA
Home court: Eighth and Mifflin streets

The Bok players have a tough year ahead, as many of their Public League opponents are from higher-enrollment schools in the AAAA bracket. The challenging schedule includes a Jan. 6 meeting against defending champion Simon Gratz.

To top it off, the Wildcats have just four players with varsity experience. The graduation of dynamic scoring duo Jamal West (21.9 points per game) and James Pope (21 points per game) has promoted seniors Lamont Butler and Marquise Salley to offensive leaders.

"If they hit their stride and do some things well, it shouldn’t be a problem," Jenkins said.

Key players:

G/F Lamont Butler 6’1" SR
G Marquise Salley 5’8" SR
G Cory Moultrie 6′ SR
F Keith Mitchell 6’4" SR
F Gary Harris 6’2" JR
F Desmond Whitehead 6’2" SR
F David Lorn 6’2" JR
G James Jones 5’8" JR

Teams to beat: Gratz, Bartram, Overbrook and University City

Coach’s outlook: "If we play .500 ball, I will be very satisfied. We are going against all the heavy hitters."

Schedule

Today West Philly Away
Tuesday King Home
Dec. 16 Germantown Away
Dec. 23 Central Away
Jan. 4 Bartram Home
Jan. 6 Gratz Away
Jan. 11 Parkway Home
Jan. 13 Roxborough
Jan. 18 Furness Home
Jan. 20 Southern Home
Jan. 25 Franklin Towne Charter Away
Jan. 27 Swenson Home
Feb. 8 Overbrook Away

 

Team: CAPA Pegasus

Coach: John Dunphy
Public League division: C
PIAA classification: AA
Home court: 10th and Fitzwater streets

The High School for the Creative and Performing Arts is one of several new Public League members.

The squad played a limited junior-varsity schedule last season in preparation for its premiere. With only two players over 6 feet, the Pegasus doesn’t have much size, but the rookies are still eager.

Division C features a combination of veteran Public League programs like Engineering & Science and Franklin Learning Center, as well as a mix of new schools that include World Communications Charter, Nueva Esperanza Charter and Philadelphia Electric Charter. Dunphy said he views this year as a time to scope out the competition.

"The biggest challenge is not knowing what to expect," the coach said. "Many of the other teams have prior knowledge of the offenses and defenses they’re going to face."

Key players:

C Carl Chapman 6’2" JR
F Khalif Woodard 6’3" SR
G Darrell Reed 5’10" SR
G James Davis 5’7" SR
G Samuel Bennett 5’9" JR
G Khalif Collins 5’9" SR
G Maurice Jackson 5’11" SR

Teams to beat: Prep Charter, Masterman and Engineering & Science

Coach’s outlook: "We are hoping to do at least .500 or better. I think we are going to be pretty competitive in our division."

Schedule

Today Human Services Home
Tuesday World Communications Home
Dec. 21 Bodine Home
Dec. 23 Philadelphia Electric Away
Jan. 4 Hope Charter Home
Jan. 6 Delaware Valley Away
Jan. 11 Engineering & Science Home
Jan. 13 GAMP Away
Jan. 18 Imhotep Away
Jan. 20 Prep Charter Home
Jan. 25 Nueva Esperanza Away
Jan. 27 Masterman Home
Feb. 1 FLC Away
Feb. 8 Saul Home
 

Team: Furness Falcons

Coach: Dave Connolly
2004 overall record: 2-16
Public League division: A
PIAA classification: AAAA
Home court: Murphy Rec Center, Fourth and Shunk streets

The Falcons leave the nest a little shaky, with just two returning players and a lack of height. As a Division A member, Furness will face many of the city’s top programs game after game, making the season somewhat formidable.

"If we have good shot selection and patience on the offensive side of the ball, we might be OK," Connolly said.

Key players:

F Marquis Brooks 6’1" JR
F Nick Grasso 6’3" JR
G Dwayne Wilson 5’8" JR
G Keith Williams 5’7" JR
G Roger Pressley 5’7" SR

Teams to beat: Gratz and Bartram

Coach’s outlook: "It’s going to be another rebuilding year. Hopefully our quickness will make up for our lack of height."

Schedule

Today Central Away
Tuesday Bartram Home
Dec. 16 Gratz Away
Dec. 21 Parkway Home
Dec. 23 Roxborough Away
Jan. 6 Southern Home
Jan. 11 Franklin Towne Charter Away
Jan. 13 Swenson Home
Jan. 18 Bok Away
Jan. 20 Overbrook Away
Jan. 25 West Philly Home
Jan. 27 King Away
Feb. 1 University City Home
Feb. 8 Germantown Away

 

Team: GAMP Pioneers

Coach: Art Kratchman
2004 overall record: 0-24
Public League division: C
PIAA classification: AA
Home court: Guerin Rec Center, 16th and Jackson streets

The Pioneers are very young, with 10 out of 13 players sophomores and freshmen. Three of those sophomores — who all received regular minutes last year — are starters. Despite the group’s youth, Kratchman said he thinks the squad could contend for one of the six Division C playoff spots.

The coach’s most daunting task will be to replace Michael Brino’s 17.8 points per game. The athlete graduated fourth on GAMP’s all-time scoring list with 1,099 points.

"I think we are a better team now," Kratchman said. "All five starters are capable of scoring a little bit."

Key players:

C Paul Vanderzee 6’3" SR
F Eric Funaro 6′ SO
F Khiry Ghordon 6’3" SO
G Anthony Venafro 6′ SO
G Gabe Natale 5’10" SR
G Hakim Fontaine 5’8" SO
G Stefan Thompson 5’10" FR

Teams to beat: Prep Charter, Lamberton and Masterman

Coach’s outlook: "It’s hard to determine where we are now. This team hasn’t had much success in the past, but I think down the road, we’ll be pretty good."

Schedule

Today Nueva Esperanza Home
Tuesday Masterman Away
Dec. 16 FLC Home
Dec. 21 Saul Away
Dec. 23 Lamberton Home
Jan. 4 Freire Away
Jan. 6 Human Services Home
Jan. 11 World Communications Home
Jan. 13 CAPA Home
Jan. 18 Bodine Away
Jan. 20 Philadelphia Electric Home
Jan. 25 Hope Charter Away
Jan. 27 Delaware Valley Home
Feb. 1 Engineering and Science Away
 

Team: Prep Charter Huskies

Coach: Dan Brinkley
2004 overall record: 12-10
Public League division: C
PIAA classification: AA
Home court: 16th and Jackson streets

Brinkley might be new to the Huskies sidelines, but he’s familiar to most of the players.

The majority of the team learned the coach’s defense-oriented approach while playing for his Hunting Park Warriors in the Amateur Athletic Union.

Among Public League teams, Prep Charter is one of the early favorites to contend for the PIAA AA title. The Huskies are ranked fifth in the state by the Patriot-News.

"We are just going to play defense and see what happens," said Brinkley, the cousin of record-shattering West Catholic football player Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley, who graduated in 2004.

The program, now in its fourth year, could soon claim its first 1,000-point scorer. Senior guard Jason Dogan opened the season with 595 career points.

Key players:

G Jason Dogan 6’3" SR
G Rodney Green 6’3" JR
F Haven Wroten 6’3" SR
F Paris Griffin 6’6" JR
C Markieff Morris 6’8" SO
G/F Marcus Morris 6’7" SO
G Bilal Rogers 5’8" SR
F Troy Blue 6’3" SO
G Rakeem Golden-White SO

Teams to beat: Frankin Learning Center and Freire Charter

Coach’s outlook: "If we play defense and share the ball, we have the talent to compete in the states and go far."

Schedule

Today Imhotep Away
Dec. 16 Nueva Esperanza Away
Dec. 21 Masterman Home
Dec. 23 FLC Away
Jan. 4 Saul Home
Jan. 6 Lamberton Away
Jan. 11 Freire Home
Jan. 13 Human Services Away
Jan. 18 World Communications Home
Jan. 20 CAPA Away
Jan. 25 Bodine Home
Jan. 27 Philadelphia Electric Away
Feb. 1 Hope Charter Home
Feb. 8 Delaware Valley Away

 

Team: Southern Rams

Coach: George Anderson
2004 overall record: 20-5
Public League division: A
PIAA classification: AAAA
Home court: Broad Street and Snyder Avenue

The Southern Rams are rebounding from the loss of some major players, including leading scorer Kashief Carr (20.5 points per game), who transferred to Philadelphia Christian Academy. The team graduated two other top scorers, Shawn Saab and Antoine Brown. Saab, now playing at Independence Community College in Kansas, left the Rams with 1,337 career points.

The new Southern squad will have to jell quickly, as Division A features many of the city’s top programs, including defending Public League champion Simon Gratz and 2003 champion Bartram.

"We have a lot of talent, but are untested," Anderson summed up.

Key players:

C Irving Spuriel 6’8" SR
F Demetrius Murray 6’3" SR
G Isaiah Denny 5’7" SO
G Amir Ryan 5’10" SR
G Christian Howard 6′ SR
G/F Ramon Moore 6’3" SO
F Bryheem Charity 6’2" JR
G Jalil Harris 6′ SR
G/F Tarik Gray 6’3" JR

Teams to beat: Simon Gratz, Central and Bartram

Coach’s outlook: "Defensively, we are looking pretty good. I think we have a good shot of making the playoffs."
Schedule

Today Germantown Away
Tuesday Central Home
Dec. 16 Bartram Away
Dec. 21 Gratz Home
Dec. 22 Southern Away 7 p.m.*
Dec. 23 Parkway Away
Jan. 4 Roxborough Home
Jan. 6 Furness Away
Jan. 13 Franklin Towne Charter Home
Jan. 18 Swenson Away
Jan. 20 Bok Home
Jan. 25 Overbrook Home
Jan. 27 West Away
Feb. 1 King Home
Feb. 8 University City Away

*Denotes a non-league game

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Catholic League

Team: Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Saints

Coach: Carl Arrigale
2004 overall record: 19-8
Division: Southern
Home court: 10th and Moore streets

The Saints begin their new era in the national spotlight with a 25th-place ranking from USA Today. Neumann-Goretti is the only Pennsylvania team to make the prestigious list.

Arrigale said the recognition is great for the athletes, but he’s more concerned with preparing the Saints to meet their Catholic League championship expectations.

The Saints’ talent and experience should give them an edge over many of their Catholic League foes. Senior David Burton averaged 12 points and seven rebounds last season, while promising guard Earl Pettis tallied 13 points per game sophomore year.

"I expect us to be a good basketball team," Arrigale said. "We definitely have the talent level to have a successful season."

Key players:

G Antonio "Scoop" Jardine 6’2" SO
G Derrick "DJ" Rivera 6’2" JR
G Earl Pettis 6’5" JR
F David Burton 6’5" SR
F Richard Jackson 6’8" SO
F Phil Love 6’6" SR
G/F Jamal Wilson 6’4 FR
G Conor Kennedy 5’8" SR
F Billy Nolan 6’5" SR

Teams to beat: Saint Joseph’s Prep and Roman Catholic

Coach’s outlook: "If we do what we are capable of doing, we’ll be fine. Our kids improved individually over the summer. Now we’ve just got to put it together."

Schedule

Today Penn Charter Home 5 p.m.*
Saturday Abington Friends Away (Gwynedd Mercy College) TBA*
Wednesday Archbishop Wood 7:30 p.m. Home*
Dec. 22 Southern Home 7 p.m.*
Dec. 30-Jan.1 Dell Curry Shootout Charlotte, N.C. TBA*
Jan. 3 West Catholic Away 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 Roman Catholic Home 8 p.m.
Jan. 9 Monsignor Bonner Home 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 Kennedy-Kenrick Away 8 p.m.
Jan. 16 Archbishop Carroll Away 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 Cardinal O’Hara Home 8 p.m.
Jan. 22 Mount St. Joseph Away (Seton Hall) TBA*
Jan. 24 Saint Joe’s Prep Home 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 West Catholic Home 8 p.m.
Jan. 29 St. Benedict’s Away (Parkland High) TBA*
Jan. 31 Roman Catholic Away 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 Monsignor Bonner Away 8 p.m.
Feb. 11 Kennedy-Kenrick Home 8 p.m.
Feb. 13 Archbishop Carroll Home 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 Cardinal O’Hara Away 8 p.m.
Feb. 20 Saint Joe’s Prep Away 2:30 p.m.

*Denotes a non-league game