TJ’s Top Ten: L-L League Players – 2023-2024 Season

 

If not for his friend and rival, Benne, Troyer would be a solid choice for the No. 1 spot. The Hempfield senior played at an elite level all season and finished the campaign by averaging 21.0 points per game (second-best in the L-L League). Troyer, who reached 1,000 career points this season, was relentless on both ends of the floor but especially as an offensive player. He made a living at the free throw line where he shot a solid 78.1%. Troyer will still be in the area next year when he joins the York College men’s basketball team.

 

The L-S shooting guard is a true, three-level scorer and his numbers back it up. Smucker averaged 18.0 points per game while shooting 47% from the field, 85% from the free throw line, and an outstanding 42% from three-point territory. But he isn’t only a scorer. Smucker logged nearly five rebounds and just under two steals per game as well. He still has one more season at L-S and definitely has the ability to play at the next level.

 

Zach Kirk was the heart and soul of Octorara basketball over the last few seasons. His head coach, Gene Lambert, often referred to Kirk as the Braves’ leader and he showed why with his play. The combo guard became the first L-L League player of the 2023-2024 season to surpass 1,000 career points when he did it in early December. Kirk ranked fourth in the league in scoring with an 18.1 points per game average and he shot an astounding 188 free throws (making 135 of them for a 71.8% clip). Kirk’s future plans are still to be determined but he would be a welcome addition to any college basketball program.  

 

If you were looking for the best point guard in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, you had to make a trip up on the hill in 2023-2024. Artie Poindexter was the third leading scorer on his own team but his impact on the game went well beyond his offensive prowess. The five-foot-ten point guard averaged 12.5 points per game but also pulled in 6.3 rebounds while dishing out 3.9 assists per contest. He was the straw that stirred the Columbia drink. Poindexter made the Crimson Tide engine go. He’s the type of player that made those around him better. Poindexter will likely play football in college but he certainly has the talent to play basketball at the next level, too. 

 

Who was the most complete player in the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season? That question could spark a great discussion and Carter Horst’s name would certainly be brought up. The Warwick shooting guard lived up to his position’s name by leading the L-L League in three-pointers with 68 this season. While he averaged a respectable 14.0 points per game, Horst’s biggest impact might have come on the other end of the floor. He was the top perimeter defender in the league and rebounded well for a guard. Horst’s basketball career is not over, he will join Ben Troyer on the York College men’s team next season. 

 

Jace Conrad is an old-school player. That’s not meant as an insult. That doesn’t mean he lacks athleticism or the ability to make a highlight-reel play. It means his game reminds you of a type of basketball rarely seen these days. He made three-pointers (34 of them, in fact) but he didn’t rely on the long ball. Conrad isn’t going to blow you away with his athletic skills. But he just has a knack for putting the ball in the basket. Think of a modern day Bernard King (kids, google him). Conrad averaged 17.2 points per game and he did it by scoring at all three levels: shooting three-pointers, knocking down mid-range jumpers, and getting to the rim. With Conrad leading the way, there are high expectations in New Holland next season. 

 

If this were a list of the toughest players to guard in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, Marquez would have an argument for the top spot. The left-hander, who’s built like a college running back…well, because he is one, was a nightmare for opposing offenses. He scored in the mid-range, inside, and in transition with ease. His strong frame allowed him to bully smaller defenders while his athleticism let him handle bigs off the bounce. Marquez averaged 12.9 points per game and he did it while shooting an outstanding 59.0% from the field. He has signed to play football at NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Could he perhaps be a two-sport star at the next level?  It wouldn’t surprise me. 

 

He scored less than 10 points per game but Young was still one of the best players in the Lancaster-Lebanon League in 2023-2024. His impact went well beyond the offensive end of the floor. Young averaged a respectable 9.0 points per game but did his best work on the boards and blocking shots. He pulled in nearly seven rebounds per game and averaged more than one block per contest.  That doesn’t factor in the countless shots that the six-foot-seven forward altered near the basket. Teams were simply scared to go at Young and rightfully so. He still has another season to play at the high school level and his potential is limitless. Don’t be surprised if NCAA Division I coaches start paying attention to Young soon. Heck, he might already be on their radar. 

 

Enterline’s name is widely known for his exploits on the football field. But the Manheim Central standout can ball, too. His senior season stats are solid: 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block per game. But to watch Enterline play is when one sees his true impact on a game. He was routinely the best defender on the floor, came up with key rebounds in big situations, and, of course, threw down some thunderous dunks. Enterline’s future is on the gridiron but he will be remembered for his impact on the Barons’ basketball program.

 

Sebastian Henson – Manheim Township (Senior Guard)

De’Andre Jones – McCaskey (Sophomore Guard)

Michael Lower – Penn Manor (Junior Guard)

Sawyer Esbenshade – Conestoga Valley (Sophomore Guard)

Brandon Andrews – Elizabethtown (Junior Guard)

Marqus Hardin – Ephrata (Junior Guard)

Noah Bailey – Solanco (Junior Forward)

Caleb Johnsen – Warwick (Junior Guard/Forward)

Camden Ochs – Cocalico (Junior Forward)

Sawyer Floyd – Donegal (Junior Forward)

Jonzel Morant – Donegal (Senior Guard)

Evyan Patel – Donegal (Senior Guard)

Camden Marquette – ELCO (Senior Guard)

Dallas George – ELCO (Senior Guard)

Justin Glick – Lampeter-Strasburg (Senior Forward)

Crew Wells – Lancaster Catholic (Senior Forward)

Elisha Slabach – Annville-Cleona (Junior Guard)

Jonathon Shay – Annville-Cleona (Junior Forward)

Jordan Poole – Columia (Senior Guard)

Brelon Miller – Columbia (Senior Guard/Forward)

Chris Dukes – Lancaster Country Day (Junior Guard)

Jordan Ashby – Lancaster Country Day (Sophomore Guard)

Cody Fisher – Lancaster Mennonite (Sophomore Guard)

Jackson Neff – Pequea Valley (Senior Guard)