Cross Court Vision: LL Section 3 Mid Season Observations
Written by: Sterling Cross on January 14, 2025
Ordinarily I’ll use this space to post quick observations from the latest game I’ve seen, along with some game film that is expanded from our quick social media edits. But to start, let’s get up to speed on what I’ve seen so far, through the first 12-15 games of the season. Please note that these views are my own and do not represent the collective thoughts or opinions of LLHoops.com. This is the third of 4 posts and covers Section 3:
At the mid-way point of league play, the records in Section 3 are perfectly distributed along the spectrum of possible outcomes: Manheim Central is undefeated with 5 wins, then Octorara at 4-1, Lampeter Strasburg at 3-2, ELCO at 2-3, Donegal at 1-4 and Lancaster Catholic at 0-5. With each team having played every other team in the section exactly once, the results so far have been “chalk”. Octorara’s one loss is against Central; LS’s two losses are against Central and Octorara; ELCO’s 3 losses are against Central, Octorara and LS; and so on down the line. But the distinction between first and fifth is really not that large, I’d be surprised if it goes that way in the second half. Fisher, Lambert, Berryman, Shipper and the rest are some of the best coaches in the LL so it will be interesting to watch the chess matches play out when they get a second bite at the apple. My view for a while has been that Central is the most complete and best team in the entire LL, and I stand behind that view now (even if I think Octorara may come out ahead when they face off against the Barons tonight in Atglen). Second place in the league is a tougher call. LS has always found a way to end up on top of this section regardless of the mid-season standings. Last year Octorara held a similar mid-season advantage over LS but collapsed in the second half and nearly missed the league post season altogether. On Friday Octorara escaped with a 2 point victory against the Pioneers, so if I have to pick one… give me Octorara [***Max Kellerman Voice***].
Now feels like the right time to mention that I coached 7th and 8th grade basketball at Octorara for 1 year during the 2022-2023 season and remain a fan of the Braves. My coverage is not intentionally biased towards them, but thought it was worth a quick note for the sake of journalistic integrity.
Section 3 Team by Team Observations:
Manheim Central: The Baron’s are really good. Their guards, Ryan Kenneff and Mason Rodgers are bigger than you would think. What they lack in front-court size they make up for in athleticism – Landon Zeiset can jump out of the gym. All three of those guys are seniors so is Kyle Mylin. Junior Chase Book rounds out the starting five. Coach Fisher has been impressive from the sidelines, particularly with respect to the variety of defensive schemes he has the Baron’s executing at a high level. Like Warwick, Central has had a favorable home schedule facing both Octorara and Lampeter-Strasburg at home. LS’s student section and Octorara’s half-moon baskets make both of those gym’s unique playing environments. It would be hard to imagine a clean sweep for the Baron’s in Section 3, but it’s definitely on the table. Manheim Central ranks 4th out of 25 LL teams in point differential per game (+/-) at +12.4ppg (7th in the LL in Offensive PPG (OPPG), 2nd in Defensive PPG (DPPG)). That’s second best in section 3.
Octorara: The Braves are the league’s most potent offense averaging just over 67 points per contest through their first 14 games of the season. Every player on the floor for the Braves is a threat to score. Vito Vespe, Chase Fetrow and Karter Lambert have combined for over 60 3PT’s, while the Brave’s leading scorer, Vincent Thaler, averages 18 a game almost exclusively at the rim. As with many teams in the LL, the Braves are undersized. What they lack in size, they have largely made up for in length and quickness – pestering teams into live ball turnovers which have led to easy points in transition. With exception to Thaler, the Braves struggle to rebound the ball, but that may be their only weakness. The Braves were runners up in the section in the last two seasons, and figure to finish plus or minus one spot of that again this year. That margin of error is the difference between section champs and first team out of the post season. If the Braves want to end up on the plus side, they can start tonight with a big game at home against the Baron’s. Octorara ranks 2nd in the league in (+/-) at +15.1ppg (1st in OPPG, 10th in DPPG), best in section 3.
Lampeter Strasburg: The Pioneers are section 3’s reigning champions. Ed Berryman is section 3’s reigning coach of the year. Chase Smucker is section 3’s leading scorer at 22ppg. Yet, LS may still qualify as an inexperienced team, having graduated at least 3 out of 5 starters from last years squad. One of the realities of having a strong program is that players don’t typically get major minutes until their junior and senior years unless they’re truly sensational. That inexperience may have shown through in a couple late game possessions that ultimately decided a very winnable game at home against Octorara on Friday. That said, in-game experience accrues quickly and I expect the Pioneers to be very difficult to beat twice. For now, LS is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but history says they won’t stay there. Lampeter Strasburg ranks 8th in the league in (+/-) at +4.5ppg (10th in OPPG, 9th in DPPG). That’s good for 3rd in section 3.
Donegal: I’ve seen the Indians play twice very early in the season. It would be hard to say I’m surprised to see them at 1-4 in the section just given the strength of the top 3 teams in the league and the fact that I haven’t seen ELCO play at all, but man, I’m surprised. Sawyer Floyd is a 6’4” guard who defends and rebounds while adding close to 18ppg. Whenever he checks in he is in the conversation for the best player on the floor. There isn’t a player in the section I personally would take ahead of him. I thought that alone might translate into an upset or two, and it still may on the back half of the season. When we spoke to the Indians at media day in November they told us they didn’t expect to have trouble scoring and that the focus would have to be getting stops. Their words are better than mine. Donegal ranks 17th in the league in (+/-) at -4.6ppg (9th in OPPG, 23rd in DPPG). That’s 5th out of 6 in the section.
ELCO, and Lancaster Catholic: I’ve seen LCS play just once, and have yet to see ELCO (thanks to the Snow Day last Monday) so for now just the stats:
ELCO ranks 13th in the league in (+/-) at -1.5ppg (11th in OPPG, 21st in DPPG).
LCS ranks 24th in the league in (+/-) at -13.4ppg (14th in OPPG, 24th in DPPG).
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