2020-2021 Season Archive

Perhaps many Lehigh Valley boys basketball fans don’t know much about Christian Fermin. And, many of them may not get to see him during the regular season, since the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference is going with a county-only schedule in this pandemic-shortened season.

But Fermin, the 6-foot-9 Pocono Mountain West junior, just might stand out if the EPC decides to run a league tournament and in the District 11 6A tourney.

The Division I recruit with offers from La Salle, Siena, Central Connecticut State, Hofstra and St. Bonaventure among others, showcased his skills during the first round of districts last year when he scored 20 points and added 14 rebounds in a come-from-behind win at Whitehall. This year, he figures to put up similar numbers every night, probably even more.

And if Fermin is better, the Panthers will be.

“This team is way better than it was last year,” Fermin said. “We have plenty of experience and tons of talent and we’ve been working hard through the quarantine. We’re expecting some really good things.”

Many expect Pocono Mountain West to make a run at its first District 11 title since 2017. Clearly, the Panthers are the most intriguing and talented of the six teams in the EPC’s Monroe County Division, which began play over the weekend and will get into full swing starting Tuesday night.

Predicted order of finish

1. Pocono Mountain West; 2. East Stroudsburg South; 3. Stroudsburg; 4. Pleasant Valley; 5. Pocono Mountain East; 6. East Stroudsburg North.

Here’s a look at the six teams in the EPC Monroe Division:

East Stroudsburg North

Coach: Denzal McKenzie (first season).

2019-20: 1-21, 0-16 (sixth in EPC Mountain).

Impact players: Kyle John (6-1 Jr. G); Sebastian Piget (5-7 Jr. G); Ahmad Wilson (5-7 Sr. G).

Outlook: McKenzie is the Timberwolves’ third coach in four seasons. He was a four-year player at North and a 2016 Keystone College graduate. This will be his fifth year on the coaching staff after four years as an assistant and was on the staff that guided North to an improbable District 11 5A title in 2017. He inherits a young team that will need to find its identity. The goals are to provide stability, build chemistry and lay the foundation for the road to respectability.

East Stroudsburg South

Coach: Shawn Munford (ninth season, 99-92).

2019-20: 16-8, 12-4 (first in EPC Mountain).

Postseason: Lost to Parkland 57-52 in EPC tournament. Lost to Freedom 59-43 in District 11 6A tournament.

Impact players: Christian Sapp (6-0 Sr. F); Jasir Parker (6-0 Sr. G); Pape Sarr (6-0 Sr. G); Jaiden Cesanek (6-4 Sr. C).

Outlook: Munford has built one of the most consistent programs in the league. The team’s top six scorers last season were juniors, but 10.3 points-per-game scorer Mylo Santos has moved to Ohio and Julian Patterson, who averaged nine points, decided not to play. So Munford will look for a new group of players to come together and lead. Sapp, a Villanova football recruit, might be one of the most dynamic players in the league. Without any practices or scrimmages, Munford is concerned about the start of league competition. “Hopefully they will be ready for the intensity of the league,” Munford said. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to see what we’re made of.”

Pleasant Valley

Coach: Bob Hahn (third season, 10-34).

2019-20: 8-14, 6-10 (third EPC Mountain).

Impact players: Joel Contreras (5-8 Sr. G); JaRod Moore (6-1 So. G).

Outlook: The Bears, who played Pocono Mountain West tough in their season opener, jumped from two wins to eight during a somewhat controversial season featuring numerous transfers. Only one returning starter is back, Contreras who averaged a team-high 12-6 points per game. So, it looks like another rebuilding season is coming, but PV would like to avoid the headlines that put the program in the spotlight last winter.

Pocono Mountain East

Coach: Mark Dudley (sixth season, 38-74).

2019-20: 3-19, 3-13 (fifth EPC Mountain).

Impact players: Colin Castillon (5-9 Sr. G); Jaycob Jackson (6-3 Sr. F); Tamir Thompson (6-0 Jr. G).

Outlook: The Cardinals will count heavily on Castillon, Jackson and Thompson, who combined for more than 20 points per game last season, and a group of underclassmen that offer promise. The underclassmen got experience playing in a fall league at East Side Youth Center.

Pocono Mountain West

Coach: Rich Williams (fourth year, 41-35).

2019-20: 11-13, 8-8 EPC (second in EPC Mountain).

Postseason: Beat Whitehall 54-49, lost to Allen 80-48 in the District 11 6A tournament.

Impact players: Justin Smith (5-10, Sr. G); Matt Campbell (5-11, Sr. G-F); Christian Fermin (6-9, Jr. C);

Outlook: Fermin is arguably the best player in the league and area. No one has more Division I offers. While he averaged just 9.2 points per game last season, his overall game has advanced to another level since the end of last season, especially on the defensive end. His presence on the floor makes everyone around him better because he will get double- and triple-teamed, and he has the patience to find the open man. Smith and Campbell both averaged more than 10 points per game last year. Julian Pagan, who played in 20 games for West last year as a freshman, suffered a major knee injury during practice and will be out for the entire season. That’s a void the Panthers will have to fill to contend for the division and District 11 6A titles.

Stroudsburg

Coach: Matt Gallagher (third season. 14-30).

2019-20: 9-13, 6-10 (fourth EPC Mountain).

Impact players: Jahkai Barnes (6-0, Sr.), Justin Shenery (6-0, Sr.), Alex Santos (6-0, Sr), Dan Bruzzese (5-8, Sr.) Kevin Duffy (6-2, Sr.), Qadir Mitchell (6-2, Jr.), AJ Kornegay (6-0, Jr.), Jeremiah Hosten (6-0, Jr.), Nate Reisch (6-0, Jr.), Blake Best (5-9, Jr.)

Outlook: The Mounties had a four-game improvement last year and figure to continue an upward trend. “What we lack in size we make up for in our athleticism,” Gallagher said. “We will have to be able to rebound consistently every game and do the tough stuff on defense.” Mitchell averaged 9.4 points per game last year and Gallagher said he can take that next step for this team. Barnes only played in nine games last year because of an injury, but scored 10.2 ppg and is the most underrated guard in the league according to Gallagher. Shenery and Santos didn’t play last year but will contribute significantly this season.

Outside the Valley

Tamaqua was the last area boys team standing in March when the pandemic hit and canceled the PIAA tournament. The Blue Raiders were 21-8 and headed to the state quarterfinals when COVID-19 brought the season to a halt. The Blue Raiders’ big three of Brayden Knoblauch, Lucas Gregoire and Nate Boyle has graduated. Nathan Gregoire is the lone returning starter. Jim Barron, in his sixth season, has some work to do with the team off to an 0-3 start.

Panther Valley won the District 11 3A title and went 14-12 with a PIAA playoff win last year, but the Panthers graduated eight seniors. Veteran coach Patrick Crampsie will try to build around several talented underclassmen including freshman Stephen Hood, freshman guard Chase Weaver, sophomore forward Austin Hadley and senior Bryce Krapf. Krapf had 10 points in the district title win over Notre Dame last year, but is out until late January with an injury. The Panthers were off to a 2-2 start.

Jim Thorpe was just 7-15 last season but several seniors — Caiden Hurley, Chris Condly Jared Marykwas and Sonny Ivey — return. Experience at the guard position could pay dividends for seventh-year coach Jason McElmoyle. He said the team lacks height, but has more depth. The development of underclassmen will be key. The team was off to an 0-4 start, but three of the losses were by four points or less and the other was to perennial power Pottsville.

Lehighton went 8-14 last year, but coach Trevor Miller said his team, 2-1 at the outset, is more athletic and has a deeper roster than it had last year while returning four starters. Zach Hunsicker and Richie Yturrino are expected to be two of the top players in the Schuylkill League. “Our goals are to compete in Schuylkill League Division I and qualify for districts,” Miller said. “Our strengths are athleticism, size, and depth. We must consistently defend every night. With our overall size at each position, we want to work inside-out and put pressure on teams to be able to guard us in the post.”

Marian Catholic is coming off a 19-win season that included the Schuylkill League Division III title. Tyler Fritz, who averaged 28 points per game last season and became the school’s all-time top scorer, has graduated. But the Colts feature five significant returners and Dewin Concepcion, a transfer from Hazleton. They were off to a 2-1 start with wins over Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe.

Pennridge is two years removed from that remarkable run to the PIAA 6A title game. The Rams were impressive again last season going 21-8 and getting to the second round of the state tournament. They graduated several top players including Christian Guldin, who is at DeSales, and Trent Fisher who is at Wilkes. Senior Colin Post and junior Luke Yoder are the key returners for a team off to a 2-2 start. “There are many players battling for varsity minutes,” coach Dean Behrens said entering his 23rd season. “We are looking for players to step up and prove they belong on the varsity level.”

Keith Groller can be reached at 610-820-6740 or at kgroller@mcall.com

Christian Fermin literally towers above his team and much of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

At 6-foot-9, the Pocono Mountain West junior is one of the tallest players in the EPC and District 11.

He’s also one of the best.

Fermin, who has received five Division I scholarship offers from La Salle, Siena, Central Connecticut State, Hofstra and St. Bonaventure, showcased his skills during the first round of districts last year when he scored 20 points and added 14 rebounds in a come-from-behind win at Whitehall. This year, he figures to put up those kind of numbers every night, probably even more. 

Likewise, his Panthers have a chance to stand at the top of the league and district this year as they did in 2017. 

But like everyone else, Pocono Mountain West’s season is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Panthers didn’t get to practice until Dec. 2 and will likely have to wait until Jan. 15 or later to play their first game.