All-Area Pre-Season boys and girls basketball teams

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

I am counting down the days until I am inside where there is heating and there is exciting boys and girls high school basketball going down. Don't get me wrong, the football season has been superb, but once it is so cold my pen will not write I know it is time to start hooping it up.

Here are the players in Montgomery Media's coverage are that I am looking forward to seeing take their game and their team to new heights in 2010-2011.

FIRST TEAM

Rakeem Christmas

Rakeem Christmas SR (Academy of the New Church) - He is not just the top player in Montgomery Media's coverage, but the entire state of PA and possibly the top big man in the nation. Christmas will play at Syracuse after his senior year with the Lions.

Jaylen Bond SR (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) - Bond is the main cog back for the Colonials from their 2010 state championship. With C.J. Aiken starting for Phil Martelli's Hawks and Brandon Dixon and Whis Grant at prep schools, Bond, the Pitt signee will be asked to board and score more than ever has had to.

Jabril Trawick

Malcom Gilbert SR (Academy of the New Church) - As a sophomore the big man in Bryn Athyn averaged nearly a triple double for head coach Kevin Givens. The buckets and boards where to be expected, but the young division-one recrui'st ability to block shots has to be his best attribute.

Savon Goodman JR (Academy of the New Church) - Why not just round out the best front court in the area and talk about Savon. He may get lost in the hype of Christmas and Gilbert, but he too has a fair share of big colleges looking his way as a junior.

Jabril Trawick SR (Abington Friends) SG 6-5 - Trawick averaged 17 points and seven rebounds durinh his junior season, doing enough to catch the eye of legendary coach John Thompson at Georgetown. 

SECOND TEAM
Joey Gripper SR (Abington Friends) - Gripper is a smart player that has grown into the catalyst for Abington Friends. He's their play maker and can get the ball to Trawick or Abington transfer Kenny Johnson to score. He may not lead the team in points per game, but his talents are needed.

Wesley Rines SR (Abington) - With the loss of Kenny Johnson, Rines will need to account for even more of the scoring and the Galloping Ghots are not too worried about it. Rines' quick first step will help Abington become one of the top teams in the Suburban One League.

Jack Rauchut JR (William Tennent) - Rauchut is adding some muscle to his already big frame he supplied during his sophomore season. He should be able to dominate the boards more than he already did and improve on the 10 points per game from a season ago.

Mike Guldin 

Matt Possanza SR (North Penn) - The constantly improving Possanza will be the main scoring threat for the Knights in the 2010-2011 season. When you have a player like this 6-4 unknown around the area the Knights should definitely make the playoffs and challenge for a Suburban One Continental Conference title.

Mike Guldin SR (Pennridge) - I was torn between Guldin and his teammate junior Tim Abruzzo for the final spot on the all-league team. Abruzzo led the young Rams in ppg last year, but Gulding allows Abruzzo to get open as he demands a double team at the top of the key.

FIRST TEAM

Christine Verrelle

Christine Verrelle SR (Archbishop Wood) - Verrelle is a main reason the Vikings were able to win the Class AAA state crown a year ago and she is back for his senior season with her goals high. Without the experience of PIAA's Wood rolled along, so I can only imagine what Verrelle and crew has in store for the 2010-2011 season.

Steph Knauer JR (North Penn) - The opponents on the Maidens schedule knew all about seniors Taylour Alston, Shannon Knauer and Mary Ward, but it was the sophomore center the took the league by storm. She will not go unaccounted for this season, but she has to be my early favorite to win Suburban One Continental Conference Player of the Year.

Mary Jo Horgan

Ciara Andrews JR (Cheltenham) - We all witnessed her leaping ability and quick step to the basket during the playoffs with the Panthers. With the seniors, who did a lot of scoring gone, Andrews has a chance to average over 20 points per game in the 2010-2011 season.

Mary Jo Horgan SR (Mount St. Josephs) - The Magic do not lose often and while they like to preach its a total team effort, Mary Jo is one who takes over the game if it does get a little gritty. She can score from anywhere on the floor and her presence makes the Magic happen.

Aiyannah Peal JR (Abington) - Peal knows how to get to foul line and once she does, she will sink her shots from the charity stripe with regularity. She may only hit a few field goals, but before you know she is well over double digits.

SECOND TEAM

Shea Wassel SR (Lansdale Catholic) - Wassel has been the leading scorer for the Crusaders forever now, but for her finale in her senior year we should see some big things and a few more team wins backed by her leadership skills and her ability to drop 20 points on any given night.

Elise DiFilippo

Elise DiFilippo SR (Springfield) - DiFilipo has played the point for the Spartans for the last two years and seen trips deep into the postseason in both years. With her sidekick Annie Crudele, who could have also made the all-area team, the Spartans have giant goals in mind,

Ashley Alden SR (William Tennent) - She may be going to Rutgers for softball, but she can dominate on the hardwood as well. Alden is force for the Panthers in the paint and should be able to add some scoring they need to win enough games to grace the postseason.

Cutrena Goff SO (Upper Dublin) - Goff displayed her raw talents during her freshman season for the Flying Cardinals and with a year of experience under her belt, the guard should be able to take her game to the next level.

Carley Kendall JR (Souderton) - Goff was not the only lady to burst on to the b-ball scene last year. The Indians' Kendall emerged as a scoring star and should become the go-to-girl during the 2010-2011 season.