Girls Basketball: Top 10 Breakthrough Players

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

A month ago these were not the names expected to carry their team this winter. A month ago, outside of their home gym, they were looked upon as good players, but not expected to steal the headlines in the papers of Journal Register Company's Philadelphia cluster (Reporter, Times Herald, Mercury, Montgomery).

Whether it is because of extended playing time or exponential improvement over the off-season, these are my TOP 10 BREAKTHROUGH PLAYERS OF THE FIRST HALF.

10. Jill Bolton (Christopher Dock) - The freshman has become a force for the Pioneers and helped them run out of the gate to a 6-2 record. The forward leads the team in points per game (13.8) and rebounds (8.1). Bolton looks to have a big future ahead of her.

Kayla McAneney (UD)

9. Kayla McAneney (Upper Dublin) - A role player on very successful teams over the last few season the seniors have become one of the go-to players on the Flying Cardinals club that is currently undefeated. She is one of the leading scores in Suburban One and alongside Regan Gallagher the duo have been dynamic every night they hit the floor.

8. Laura Killion (Lower Moreland) - She has not needed to be the go-to scorer every night for the Lions, but the sophomore sees her team struggling she has not been afraid to answer the call. The Lions sit at 11-1 overall and Killion's emergence is a big reason they have league and district aspirations.

7. Taylor Herd (Lansdale Catholic) - Herd has the ability to go off any night for the Lady Crusaders. The sophomore in her first season in Lansdale is averaging over 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Crusaders offense can come from all five spots in the floor, but Herd has been a hero on several occasions this season.

6. Asia Baker (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) - The 5-10 senior forward has flourished for the Colonials this season. Baker does her damage on both sides of the court, scoring well over 16 a night and pulling down time rebounds left and right. The inside-combo with her and Alynna Williams have made the Colonials of tall task for opponents.

Vicky Tumasz (NP)

5. Vicky Tumasz (North Penn) - We should have seen it coming with Tumasz. In years past she was good for the occasional three-pointer, yet it always seemed to me at a clutch time in the ball game. For her senior season she has been clutch all game. She has emerged as the Maidens main scorer and vocal leader. Losing Lauren Crisler (American University) is a lot easier with Tumasz shooting lights out this season.

4. Jana Goodman (Phil-Mont Christian) - Goodman has always been a great rebounder and defensive player in the post. But now the senior, who is headed to Kutztown, is dominating the Bicentennial League from all areas on the floor. She is a four year starter, but now is truly showing why she received a scholarship to play for the Bears.

3. Michael Harris (Abington) - The potential has always been there for Harris and college coaches saw it. Before Harris ever averaged double-doubles she was having calls coming her way. But this senior season Harris is having a breakout season, leading the Ghosts to another strong season.

Allison Gallagher (SOUD)

2. Allison Gallagher (Souderton) -  Her partner in crime Bianca Picard gets a lot of the attention, rightfully so with her Division-One abilities, but Gallagher has grabbed the headlines through the midway point. She has been the leading scorer on most nights and giving the Indians the extra effort needed to win the close games. Gallagher will be a difference maker down the stretch for Big Red.

1. Ashley Jones (Cheltenham) - She may be a freshman, but she is already the most prolific scorer in the Suburban One League. Averaging well over 20 points per game she has put the Panthers back on the map after a down year. She's already receiving extra-attention, something she will certainly have to get used to over the next four seasons.


10. Plymouth-Whitemarsh Colonials (9-2) (quarter rank: otw)
9. Souderton Indians (9-3) (quarter rank: otw)
8. Methacton (9-4) (quarter rank: 8)
7. Germantown Academy Patriots (8-0) (quarter rank: 7)
6. Central Bucks West Bucks (9-3) (quarter rank: 4)
5. North Penn Maidens (9-2) (quarter rank: 6)
4. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (11-0) (quarter rank: 9)
3. Archbishop Wood Vikings (8-1) (quarter rank: 3)
2. Mount Saint Joseph's Magic (12-1) (quarter rank: 2)
1. Spring-Ford Rams (11-2) (quarter rank: 1)

Others to watch: Norristown (6-5), Jenkintown (9-4), Lansdale Catholic (6-5), Lower Moreland (11-1), Cheltenham (8-3), Abington (7-5), Saint Basil (8-1), Pope John Paul II (12-1)

Boys Basketball: Top 10 Breakthrough Players

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

A month ago these were not the names expected to carry their team this winter. A month ago, outside of their home gym, they were looked upon as good players, but not expected to steal the headlines in the papers of Journal Register Company's Philadelphia cluster (Reporter, Times Herald, Mercury, Montgomery).

Last year this list included Brendan Casper, John Kanas, Tyrell Long, Zach Quattro, Purnell Wilson. Whether it is because of extended playing time or exponential improvement over the off-season, these are my TOP 10 BREAKTHROUGH PLAYERS OF THE FIRST HALF.

Joe Molettiere (PHS)

10. Joe Molettiere (Pennridge) - If you do not count the garbage minutes Molettiere received as a sophomore, this year is really the first varsity experience for the guard, playing center for the undersized and conference leading Rams. At 6-1 he is the Rams go-to rebounder and also their leading scorer. Coach Dean Behrens' team is a surprise first place squad and its because they have a surprise first-team all-leaguer in Molettiere.

9. Amin Taylor (Bishop McDevitt) - The Royal Lancers were looking for a secondary scorer behind forward Tyrell Long and Taylor has answered the call in his senior season. The sharpshooting 6-1 guard has already had his share of 25 point games and has his team 6-6 overall with their challenging schedule.

8. Carter Knight (Souderton) - From sixth man to the man in a season, Knight has grown into quite the offensive threat. A quick first step allows him to get to the basket and a strong pull-up jumper has him as one of the leading scorers in the Suburban One League. Knight has proven to be fearless in the leadership position.

7. Amir Hinton (Abington) - No one was quite sure where they Galloping Ghosts would go to get offense after the departure of Anthony Durham and Jordan Simmons from last year's state playoff team. Hinton has become a junior wing with the ability to go off. Luckily with the help of multiple emerging talents, he has not needed to score 20 every night, but Hinton is in store for a big career numbers when it is all said and done.

Tim Guers (GA)

6. Tim Guers (Germantown Academy) - The 6-2 junior guard is the leader for a  trio of Patriots putting up points on a nightly basis. He is probably a passer and point guard at the next level, but in the Inter-Ac he is doing it all. Guers already garnered MVP hardware during the Holiday Tournament they took part in.

5. Joe Robinson (Abington Friends) - The 6-5 Robinson has shown the ability to take over a game for the Roos if needed. One game this season he had 30 points and 18 rebounds, a true man's man's double-double. Robinson does most of his work in the paint, but is not afraid to step outside and test his range. The Roos had a jumper in Robinson.

4. James Bleming (Pope John Paul II) - The senior shortstop is going to play baseball at Lehigh, but right now he is playing ball for the Panthers, who are in a stiff fight for second place in the PAC-10. His three-point prowess has him averaging over three three's a game 14 per in total.

3. Nick Stanek (Spring-Ford) - The 6-4 senior has broken out in a big way. He has the Rams rolling along, well in front in the PAC-10. He is averaging close to 18 points per game and has been no slouch on the glass either. His partner in crime Drew Kakareka makes the Rams a team to watch come district playoff time.

Andre Mitchell (PW)

2. Matt Alden (William Tennent) - He is one the hardest working warriors on the floor and his senior season is turning out to be something special. With media-darling Horace Spencer off the Panthers and in Vegas, Alden has stolen the show. He is averaging close to 20 points per game and if the Panthers find a way to win enough game to reach the district playoffs I would not be shocked if Alden leads his squad to a big first round upset single-handedly.

1. Andre Mitchell (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) - The 6-1 junior has arrived. The Colonials are back from a down year and a threat to make some postseason noise thanks to Mitchell and crew. There is not a body in the paint Mitchell will back down from and is doing most of his damage on the drive. Not many teams have a defender that can defend Mitchell moves around the basket. The Colonials are 8-2 and in for two good years with Mitchell manning the floor.

10. Wissahickon Trojans(6-4) (quarter rank: 6)
9. Methacton Warriors (7-5) (quarter rank: 8)
8. Academy New Church Lions (7-5) (quarter rank: nr)
7. Germantown Academy Patriots (9-4) (quarter rank: otw)
6. Pennridge Rams (9-2) (quarter rank: otw)
5. Abington Friends Roos (8-2) (quarter rank: 9)
4. LaSalle Explorers (9-2) (quarter rank: 4)
3. Plymouth-Whitemarsh Colonials (8-2) (quarter rank: 3)
2. Spring-Ford Rams (11-1) (quarter rank: 5)
1. Abington Galloping Ghosts (10-1) (quarter rank: 1)

Others to watch: Christopher Dock (6-3), Phil-Mont Christian (8-2), Pope John Paul II (6-5), Lower  Moreland (7-3)Bishop McDevitt (6-6),North Penn (5-5), Norristown (6-3), Archbishop Wood (5-5)