Pre-Season All-Area Boys Basketball Team

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Welcome to the wonderful world of winter sports. Where it's cold outside and the games are indoors. I love football, but I am thankful this Holiday Season for no more standing on the sidelines while I lose the feeling in fingers.

High School Basketball, in my opinion, is at its best in and around this area. Teams from Lansdale Reporter, Mercury, Times Herald, and Montgomery Media's coverage area always seem to be in the mix for district and even state championships. There are always a handful of players that commit to Division-One schools and more than you can count that go one to play Division Two and Three.

So without further adieu... Here is one man's opinion on the best teams and the best players in the area prior to the 2013-2014 season starts.

Check back to this blog all season for stats and scores. Go to www.gametimepa.com for stories everyday.

Top 10 Pre-Season Teams

1. Perkiomen Valley Vikings - And for his encore Rasaan Stewart will bring his leadership to the hardwood. The Vikings finished last season strong under first year coach Michael Poysden and now look poised for a state playoff appearance. Senior guard Purnell Wilson is one of the top play-makers in the area and the roster is full of hard-working athletes.

2. Archbishop Wood Vikings - The mix of new coach John Mosco and sharp-shooting Pat Smith is bound to cause some noise in the Philadelphia Catholic League. Smith is set to be atop the points per game leaders in the state and Mosco's South Philly vibe should work well in Warminster.

3. Germantown Academy Patriots - The Lindners and the Moores of the world have moved on but Jim Fenerty still has a deep and talented roster. Look for a few youngster to emerge this season. Sophomores Devon Goodman and Joe Stinson are ones to watch.

4. Wissahickon Trojans - With Chase Wilson running the show things cannot be that bad. Wilson learned how to create his own shot last year and the young Trojans got better with time. Now they return the majority of their roster and are the early favorite to win the Suburban One American Conference.

5. Abington Galloping Ghosts - After back-to-back seasons of deep District One runs, this is no longer that run-the-floor team. But coach Charles Grasty still has some ball players and while they may be unable to compete with the Lower Merion's and Chester's like last season, they still should be a tough out.

6. Academy of the New Church Lions  - Coach Kevin Givens has restocked. In comes Carnell Harley from Imhotep and Samir Phillips from Mastery Charter. Look for the Lions to contend in the Friends League.

7. Abington Friends Roos - The Roos are young, but filled with talent. Their players have been working hard all year around and while they get my 7th spot right now, they could be number one by the season's end. The squad includes junior Jordan Greene and an impact trio of freshman.

8. Cheltenham Panthers - There is a new coach in town, but Aaron Burton is comfortable running the show for the Panthers. His second season transferring from LaSalle, Burton now can let loose, lead, and score double digits on any night.

9. LaSalle Explorers - The Explorers graduated most of their scoring from last season, but should still be able to field a fierce fivesome. Shawn Witherspoon and Najee Walls should be a strong backcourt duo while junior Dan Corr could become an impact player.

10. North Penn Knights - The Knights did not shoot the ball great, nor rebound with the big boys, but their heart helped them squeak into the District One field and finish strong. The heart and hard work returns with Noah Melchior and Cordell Lord, while Brian Coleman has a chance to average around 15 points per game if he pleases. The Knights and healthy Central Bucks West squad should compete for Suburban One Continental Conference championship.

Other possible title contenders: Central Bucks West, Christopher Dock, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Methacton, Hatboro-Horsham, Pennridge, Souderton, Bishop McDevitt

Pre-Season All-Area Teams

Chase Wilson (Wissahickon)

FIRST TEAM

Chase Wilson (Wissahickon)
Purnell Wilson (Perk Valley)
Pat Smith (Archbishop Wood)
Tyrell Long (Bishop McDevitt)
James Rodgers (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)








SECOND TEAM

Zach Quattro (Hatboro-Horsham)

Carnell Harley (Academy New Church)
Zach Quattro (Hatboro-Horsham)
Jared Armstrong (Christopher Dock)
Jordan Greene (Abington Friends)
Simeon Fryer (Upper Dublin)

Devon Goodman (GA)

THIRD TEAM
Devon Goodman (Germantown Academy)
Zack Muredda (Pennridge)
Brian Rafferty (Lansdale Catholic)
Aaron Burton (Cheltenham)
Matt Penecale (Abington)