A closer look at the landscape of Pennridge basketball

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

The state of the two Pennridge basketball programs have shifted in opposite directions this season. With the loss of talented seniors for the girls and the development of returning starters for the boys, the recent successes or lack thereof of each team has been reversed.

While the boys' season looks promising and the girls looks lousy, there is a lot to play for in 2011 for both. As someone who has seen a number of games over the last three seasons, here is my opinion on what the boys and girls' basketball teams upcoming and distant future may look like.

Pennridge girls' basketball
It is rare that the first year as a head coach is a walk in the park and that is no different for Dave Martin. He has been around the program, working with his wife Brooke Martin, so he knows what he signed up for. It was clearly going to be a rebuilding year for the Rams with the loss of Jordan Dominic and Sam Simononis. The tandem probably accounted for 80 percent of the Rams scoring in the 2009-2010 season.

The one thing that should keep Martin's girls focused in a season with not many wins would be what the boys' are doing this season. After two years with six total wins and one league win the boys' look to be one of the most complete teams in the area. The girls need to remember hard work and perseverance can lead to better days if they stick together.

Junior Alyssa Marchunsky is clearly the biggest scoring threat for the Rams. She is fearless from the floor and will pop one from anywhere. She may graduate before the Rams hit their peak, but if continues to play hard like she has done this season she will be remembered at a key contributor.

Jen Cooley and Brianne McGrath are other juniors that will need to develop more of offensively if they want to compete in their senior season. McGrath and Cooley are strong on the boards, but not as strong going to the hoop as they need for success this season. Cooley, who has started since she was a freshman, needs to realize she has the talent to take off and average 10 points a game in the Suburban One League.

The most exciting player on the Rams may be freshman Jordan Rimmer. She is coming off the bench this season and already has shown glimpses of a sweet shot and a fearless sense that is deeply needed. If I was coach Martin I'd be giving Rimmer as much time as possible because she could develop into a all-league player.

This year should be all about learning the ins-and-outs and try to knock any team that takes them too lightly. Hopefully they can burst other teams playoff hopes and gain some confidence in the process.

Pennridge boys' basketball
This might not be the year we find out who's up-and-coming in the boys' program, but we will find if they hang with the big boys. The Rams are off to an insane start if you take into consideration how dismal they have been in recent years.  Are they a 15 win team? Will they win the league title? district? state playoffs? What can the Rams actually do this season.

The 15 win mark looks like a lock, with nine wins already under the belt. Souderton and North Penn will challenge the Rams for a league title but they definitely could win. Districts is where it will get dicey. Even if they pull a top-10 seed teams like Norristown, Neshaminy, and Plymouth-Whitemarsh will wait in the wings.

Teams with a dominate post presence could also give the Rams trouble. Kyle Peters has played incredible defense to this point and has really owned the boards, but if the 6-0 forward has to make up for a three-or-four inch difference it could be a long night for Pennridge.

The Rams are going to score points. Tim Abruzzo is making a early push for Continental Conference MVP, but even on the rare night he is struggling from the floor the Rams have others that can keep the pace. Mike Guldin has been a strong point guard since his freshman season, but now improved his scoring skills. Jared Schaffer has come off the bench and completely transformed himself into an offensive weapon.

Rocky Ferrier is a great leader and motivator for the team and Andrew Lyons still has untapped some of the talents he possess. Lyons has the skills to be the Rams top rebounder or top scorer on any night. If the junior forward's entire game ever fully clicks the Rams could be extremely dangerous in March.

The one flaw I see is depth. The Rams are running six deep and seven, eight and nine just have not been able to keep the pressure on opponents when they take the floor. Foul trouble could be a curse for the Rams, but that's a bridge they will cross when they get there.

Coach Dean Behrens has been at the helm for 14 years and 100 wins so he is well aware to handle all the adversity in a variety of game situations that are handed to him and his team. Reaching the second round of the playoffs is something that should be the goal at this point and will be a test for the entire Pennridge program, including Behrens, but something Gang Green (the Rams' student section) should be hyped for.