BOYS BASKETBALL: Predicting the Class 4A District One playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

(1) Chester
(32) Downingtown West
                           Chester
                           Springfield (D)
(16) Methacton
(17) Springfield (D)
                                          Chester
                                          Norristown
(8) Pennsbury
(25) Kennett
                          Pennsbury
                          Norristown
(9) Norristown
(24) Ridley
                                                          Chester
                                                          Wissahickon
(4) C.B. West
(29) W.C. East
                         C.B. West
                         Cheltenham
(13) Cheltenham
(20) Upper Dublin
                                           Cheltenham
                                           Wissahickon
(5) Wissahickon
(28) Glen Mills
                        Wissahickon
                        Upper Darby
(12) Bensalem
(21) Upper Darby
                                                                                 Chester over Coatesville 


(2) Lower Merion 
(31) Penncrest
                       Lower Merion
                       Plymouth-Whitemarsh
(15) Conestoga
(18) P-W
                                              Lower Merion                                     
                                              Council Rock North
(7) C.R. North
(26) C.B. South
                     Council Rock North
                     Souderton
(10 Souderton
(23) W.C. Henderson
                                                                   Council Rock North
                                                                   Coatesville
(3) Coatesville
(30) Truman
                      Coatesville
                      Pennwood
(14) Pennwood
(19) Spring-Ford
                                                  Coatesville
                                                  Great Valley
(6) Great Valley
(27) Interboro
                      Great Valley
                      Marple-Newtown
(11) Abington
(22) Marple-Newtown




Breakin' down the Montgomery Media 1st round Match-Ups

Springfield Delco at Methacton - The nights where the Warriors struggled it usually correlates with an opponent's striking presence in the post. Senior Geoff Wittenberg will be the x-factor. He will need to use all 6-feet, 6 -inches to win the rebounding battle. They will be asked to contain the sharpshooting Cougars and limit them to one shot per possession.

Ridley at Norristown - All season long the Eagles have implemented a balanced scoring attack and it has landed them with the 9th seed. But in the playoffs the game usually calls on person to stand up and take the ball in their hand down the stretch, become the closer, or hit the game tying shot. Coach Mike Evans will probably look to seniors Samir Bey or Richard Bouknight to be that guy to send them into the second round.

Upper Dublin at Cheltenham - The Cardinals have already fallen short in the final seconds twice this season in this conference battle and the Panthers have the daunting task of beating a team three times. Senior guard Nafis Walker is playing out of his mind and it will be up to the Cardinals defense to give them a chance for sharpshooting John Decamara to be one to hit the game winning shot this time around.

Glen Mills at Wissahickon - The Trojans are not too happy right now about losing the final regular season game and it just adds fuel to the fire. The barely missed the state playoffs last season and have made it known reaching the PIAA tourney is the biggest goal. Area's top leading scorer Jordan Reed will probably be the toughest task since Rondae Jefferson from Chester, who beat Glen Mills twice.

Plymouth-Whitemarsh at Conestoga - It has not been the typical season for the Coloinals of this decade, but is there any question coach Jim Donofrio will have his team ready to play? Senior Jake Silvers came off the bench over the last two years and knows what this is all about about. Junior Anthony McKie continues to take his game to next level. Never count out this year's 18 seed.

West Chester Henderson at Souderton - The best news for the Indians is that senior Ryan Connolly seems to be back at full strength after a holiday illness that forced him to miss six games in the middle of the season and lose 20 pounds. The Indians are senior heavy and play fearless. The 10 seed suggest they are on the outside looking in at a state playoff berth, but nobody should be shocked when they are one of the nine teams out of District One standing.

Spring-Ford at Pennwood - If this game was in Royersford I might have a different gut feeling, but traveling to Pennwood is a home court advantage I'm not sure the Rams can overcome. Led by junior Zameer McDowell, the Rams will have to get big to take down the perennial powerhouse. Let's hope they have a student section following them to take off some off some of the pressure and nerves that come with playing in Pennwood's house.

Marple Newtown at Abington - Time and time again Anthony Durham has put the Galloping Ghosts on his back this season and he has averaged close to 20 points per game. Come playoff time the Ghosts will benefit from getting offensive contributions from Jordan Simmon and Jiere Morrisey.