Who’s Next? – 2024: Section 4
Written by: TJ Eck on April 4, 2024
With standout seniors like Ethan Benne, Ben Troyer, Zach Kirk, Artie Poindexter, and Carter Horst moving on, there will be a new wave of stars in the Lancaster-Lebanon League next season. Over the coming days we will be taking a look at the top returning players who have a chance to become the next group of superstars in the L-L League in a series entitled “Who’s Next?”. We finish with Section 4.
NOTE: Statistics submitted to LLHoops.com by head coaches and available to view here via Lancaster Online.
NOTE: Northern Lebanon is moving from Section 3 to Section 4 for the 2024-2025 season.
Who’s Next? – 2024: Section 4
Elisha Slabach – Annville-Cleona (Rising Senior Guard)
If there was a preseason player of the year award in Section 4, Slabach would be one of the top choices entering the 2024-2025 season. As a junior, the A-C guard averaged 18.6 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per contest while connecting on 66 three-pointers. Slabach is the leading returning scorer in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
Jonathon Shay – Annville-Cleona (Rising Senior Forward)
Shay is a solid complimentary player to Slabach. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 47.5% from the field. With Shay and Slabach leading the way, Annville-Cleona should improve on last season’s 10-win performance.
Ladarian Miller – Columbia (Rising Senior Guard)
The overwhelming majority of Columbia’s district title-winning team graduates. But Miller returns. Ladarian or LD, as he is known, is one of the best shooters in the L-L League. He averaged 10.6 points per game as a junior while sinking a team-best 58 three-pointers.
Chris Dukes – Lancaster Country Day (Rising Senior Guard)
He plays for a 1A school in Section 4 but make no mistake, Dukes is one of the top guards in all of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. He averaged 17.3 points per game, made 56 three-pointers, and grabbed 2.5 steals per contest as a junior. Fans were robbed of seeing Dukes play in the postseason because he was ineligible to participate due to PIAA rules on transferring.
Jordan Ashby – Lancaster Country Day (Rising Junior Guard)
With Dukes out for the postseason, LCDS needed someone to step up. Ashby did just that. The then sophomore guard averaged 18.0 points per game during a six-game run to the 1A state quarterfinals. Overall, Ashby scored 14.5 PPG and knocked down 61 three-pointers this past season.
Cody Fisher – Lancaster Mennonite (Rising Junior Guard)
Fisher is a budding superstar. He was one of the best offensive players in the L-L League as a sophomore when he averaged 16.3 points per game and made 63 three-pointers (37% 3pt FG) while shooting 80.9% from the free throw line. But Fisher’s game goes beyond the offensive end. He’s an elite athlete who can rebound and block shots.
Chase Hurst – Lancaster Mennonite (Rising Junior Guard)
Hurst is a pure point guard. He’s constantly looking to make the right pass and find an open teammate. Hurst averaged 4.5 assists per game as a sophomore. He’s also a strong defender. But Hurst can get it done on offense and on the boards too, as evidenced by his 9.8 points and 5.2 rebound per game this past season. Expect his numbers to only improve as he gets older.
Bill Rothwein – Lancaster Mennonite (Rising Junior Forward)
Three sophomores started for LMHS in 2023-2024 and Rothwein was one of them. He’s an old-school post player who excels in setting screens on offense and rebounding on defense. He averaged 7.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this past season.
Brady Krall – Northern Lebanon (Rising Junior Forward)
Quality forwards are hard to find but there’s one in Fredericksburg. Krall led Northern Lebanon in scoring as a sophomore (8.6 PPG) and the best is yet to come. The six-foot-four Krall has the potential to be one of the top frontcourt players in Section 3.
Cole Stoltzfus – Pequea Valley (Rising Senior Guard)
The majority of Pequea Valley’s production from this past season moves on due to graduation. That means there will be plenty of opportunities for Stoltzfus to improve upon his 7.9 points per game and team-leading 6.5 rebounds per contest average from the 2023-2024 campaign.
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