L-L Section Three boys' capsules
SECTION THREE
Cocalico Eagles
Coach: Travis Wealand
2014-15 record: 16-8
Returning Starters: Tucker Lescoe (6-0, SR, G) Damien Ricks (6-1, SR, F) DJ Fabiani (5-11, SR, G)
Others to watch: Moses Ulysse (5-8, SR, G), Ian Arcudi (5-7, SR, G)
The skinny: The Eagles qualified for the L-L and District Three Class AAA tournaments last season and were bounced in the first round in each. Now Travis Wealand’s bunch will look to take the next step as they return plenty of talent.
Shooting guard Tucker Lescoe is back for his senior year coming off a junior campaign where he averaged 21.5 points per game and led the Eagles in minutes played.
Donegal Indians
Coach: Matt Zoeller (second season, 7-15)
2014-15 record: 7-15
Returning starters: Micah Reber (5-10, SR, G), Derek Mohr (6-1, SR, F), Ryan Mitchell (6-3, SR, F/C)
Others to watch: Ethan Hess (6-2, SR, F), Chris Beaudoin (6-3, SR, C), Austin Dimeler (5-10, SR, G), Evan Burnette (6-0, SR, G)
The skinny: The Indians were one of the younger teams in the L-L last year, but they are now one of the most experienced squads in Section Three with seven active seniors on the team.
“We have a very athletic and experienced group back this season,” head coach Matt Zoeller said. “We are looking to build on the progress of last year, with the hopes of earning a playoff berth.”
Manheim Central Barons
Coach: Chris Sherwood (eighth season, 112-66 during two stints as coach)
2014-15 record: 25-5
Returning starters: Taylor Funk (6-8, Jr, F)
Others to watch: Kody Kegarise (6-1, Jr, F), Jake Novak (5-10, Soph, G), Trevor Hosler (6-0, Jr, G), Tyler Lyons (6-0, Jr, F), Roman Wagner (6-2, Jr., F), Jeremy Landis (5-10, Sr, F), Jay Barreto (5-10, Jr., G), Lowen Hanselman (5-8, Jr., G), Connor Hostetter (5-11, Soph., G), Connor Dickinson (6-1, Sr., F), Lou Bosch (5-9, Jr., G)
The skinny: For the past two seasons, the Barons have been the kings of Section Three and have qualified for the PIAA Class AAA tournament.
Now with most of their starting roster gone, head coach Chris Sherwood must find a new batch of players to hopefully carry on the torch.
“We seem to be the team in Section Three full of underclassman, in a senior driven section, where all teams have high expectations,” Sherwood said. “We have high expectations, too.”
The one returning starter is 6-8 forward Taylor Funk, who averaged 15.4 points per game in 2014-15.
Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers
Coach: John Achille (11th season, 159-113)
2014-15 record: 11-11
Returning starters: Matt Achille (6-1, SR, G), Luke Beers (6-1, SR, G), Ben Sandberg (6-3, JR, F)
Others to watch: Jordan Boynton (6-1, Sr., G), Connor Brown (6-1, Sr., F), Jake Groff (5-11, Sr., G), Darren Metz (6-5, Sr., C), Logan Miller (6-3, Sr., F), Jack Banner (6-0, Jr. G), Jared Houck (5-9, Jr., G)
The skinny: The Pioneers were on track to finish with an above .500 record before losing four of their final six games and missing out on the L-L and District Three playoffs.
Now with a boatload of seniors returning, John Achille’s Pioneers will look to take the next step in 2015-16.
“We have many players back from last year. If players come in with right attitude, it could be a special season,” Achille said.
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