Meet the Panthers: Get to know Central York's state finalist boys' basketball team
It's hard for Central York basketball head coach Jeff Hoke to speak about his players without being reduced to tears.
That has been a common theme throughout the team's playoff run. The Panthers are so deep with talent and height that it's easy to forget they're teenagers. But Hoke knows the pressures and expectations they've faced all season would be difficult for anyone to handle.
And yet they're poised to do something no YAIAA basketball team has done.
Central York (28-3) will play District 11's Parkland (26-5) for the PIAA Class 6A title 8 p.m. Saturday at Hershey's Giant Center. The Panthers are trying to become the first YAIAA team to win a state basketball title in the largest classification.
York Catholic has won four smaller-classification state titles in boys' basketball (1978, 1979, 1987, 1990) but no other YAIAA program has accomplished that feat. York High lost championship games in the largest classes in 1949 and 2009. Eastern York fell short in 1988 and so did Fairfield in 2001.
It's clear this Central York squad is among the most talented teams in league history. But who are the Panthers behind the scenes? Hoke took time to discuss what every player brings to the table.
Meet Parkland: Central York's title game opponent resembles familiar local foe
He's been here before: Now the legendary Gary Sutton is a guiding voice for Central York
No. 0: Ryan Brown
6-foot, sophomore, guard
A steady point guard, Brown is already a two-year starter as a sophomore. He's averaging 6.6 points and often takes a backseat as a scorer, but can shoot from the outside when needed. He scored 17 points in a state quarterfinal win over Upper St. Clair. When Central York's players were celebrating with fans after beating Reading in the semifinals Tuesday, Brown quietly walked to the handshake line and then beckoned his teammates to join him.
Hoke on Brown: "He's just a basketball kid. A happy kid to be around. Love him to death. And he's a born leader. He's the classiest kid. You wouldn't know if he played 32 minutes or didn't play at all. He's 100% about the team and success. He handles it so well. He's the guy we trust at the end of every game. He has to be on the court. We trust him with the ball and against pressure. Just unflappable. I just love his poise."
No. 1: Ben Natal
6-foot-2, junior, guard
Already a three-year starter, Natal reached 1,000 career points in the final game of the regular season. He's averaging 15.6 points and about 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season. He dislocated his finger in December and only missed three games. He will likely be a Division I recruit. Multiple opposing coaches have called him the most skilled player in York County.
Hoke on Natal: "Greatest kid on the planet. Just a silent assassin on the court. He's unstoppable. One of the best guards in the state of Pennsylvania. Before the first (state) game at Garnet Valley, he calls me from the locker room. He brought the wrong color jersey. Gary Sutton looks at me. 'Let it go. Has he ever done anything wrong before?' No. 'Has he ever talked back before?' No. He's quiet but just a wonderful, sweet kid."
No. 2: Brooklyn Nace
6-foot-2, sophomore, guard
Fresh off a successful first season as Central York's starting quarterback, Nace has thrived as a starter or bench player for Central York's hoops team. He's averaging 7.5 points but has reached double digits eight times this season. Nace provides energy, defense and ball-handling when he's not scoring. Don't be surprised if he becomes a Division I recruit in football.
Hoke on Nace: "The ultimate competitor. And the ultimate perfectionist. There's nobody who works harder and cares more about winning and doing things the right way. If anything he's too hard on himself."
No. 3: Saxton Suchanic
6-foot-3, junior, forward
He's better known for his exploits as a defensive back. Suchanic has earned eight offers from Division I football programs since February. But he's provided much-needed defense and rebounding off the bench during basketball season. Suchanic plays with a swagger that sometimes boils over into emotion on the court. But the Panthers have needed his tenacity and toughness in the playoffs.
Hoke on Suchanic: "Amazing athlete. Great smile. He's a silent leader. A leader by example."
No. 4: Greg Guidinger
6-foot-7, senior, forward
Central York's all-time leading scorer and two-time YAIAA Player of the Year. Guidinger is averaging close to 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists this season. He's made 54 3-pointers. The lone senior starter, Guidinger has played some of his best basketball in the state playoffs and scored 22 points in the semifinals against Reading. He's yet to make a college decision but has received interest from many schools.
Hoke on Guidinger: "He's a character. Just mature beyond his years. Just a great person to be around. Everybody loves being around him. It's going to be sad to see him go. It's like a father-son relationship. 'Be home at 5 p.m., son.' He goes: 'Sorry, dad, I got stuck in traffic.' And I go: 'No, you didn't. I can see your GPS.' It's that relationship. He drives me crazy, but I love him."
No. 5: Nasir Ruppert
6-foot-3, junior, forward
Ruppert is a bench player and also plays defensive back and wide receiver on Central York's football team. He's the player who does a specific handshake with every starter during pregame introductions.
Hoke on Ruppert: "One of our favorite people. I can't even describe Nasir. Hard-working, great kid, very selfless. He would do anything for anyone. He's like Mr. Responsible. If someone can't get to practice he'll pick them up. If they're late he'll run laps for them. He's just the most selfless kid you'll meet."
No. 10: Ryan Jackson
6-foot-2, sophomore, guard
Jackson didn't have much hype surrounding him entering the season but has become of huge part of the Panthers lineup. He started during the team's state playoff run and has emerged as a standout perimeter defender. He's also a dangerous shooter who's made 17 3-pointers this season.
Hoke on Jackson: "The fiercest competitor we have. He absolutely doesn't say a word. I don't think he's spoken more than five words since I met him. He's just fierce. The kid is fierce."
No. 11: Doug Layer
5-foot-10, freshman, guard
Layer entered the season under a lot of pressure as a freshman starter on a team with huge expectations. Hoke said in the preseason he had a chance to be the best point guard in the league. Layer was moved to a bench role midseason but has still gotten consistent playing time in the postseason. In the semifinals against Reading, he hit consecutive buckets and then assisted on a Ben Natal 3-pointer in the final minutes of the third quarter to extend Central's lead to 14 points.
Hoke on Layer: "He's really a funny kid. He's fun. He and R.J. in practice are unreal. Those two battle. His maturity is outstanding and it showed last night (against Reading). You can't phase the kid. There's not a moment too big for him."
No. 12: Boden Pease
5-foot-11, senior, guard
Pease is a talented player, but has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He's become a respected leader in the locker room. Hoke made Pease and Guidinger stand alongside him during his post-game interview after beating Reading Tuesday.
Hoke on Pease: "A born leader. The toughest kid we have, by far. Probably the most fundamentally-sound kid we have. He does absolutely everything right. He's had nothing but injuries for three years. I projected him as the next (2021 first-team YAIAA all-star) Nolan Hubbs. He could shoot, defend, take charges. He should teach our kids to take charges. He hasn't been healthy more than two weeks at a time. He's had a rough road. It's been brutal. I'm proud of him."
No. 13: Ben Rill
6-foot-8, junior, forward
He returned to Central York his sophomore season surrounded by a ton of hype after spending his freshman season at Westtown prep school. And he's already reached 1,000 points. Rill is averaging 14.8 points and 9 rebounds this season. His ability to handle double-teams has opened up the perimeter for Central's outside shooters. Reading fouled him continuously in the semifinals and he went 10-of-14 from the line and led the Panthers with 28 points.
Hoke on Rill: "He's just a big teddy bear. But a teddy bear who can become the Incredible Hulk. If you make him mad? Get out of the way. He's unstoppable. And he's probably the most coachable kid we have. He's a sponge. He wants to learn and get better every second. He's unselfish. He comes over to me and says: 'Coach, we should run this play for Greg.' He has a good feel for what goes on in the game as far as what's best for the team."
No. 14: JoJo Woodard
5-foot-11, junior, guard
A supremely-talented player who hasn't gotten much playing time due to Central York's stacked lineup. He's thrown down some impressive dunks when on the court this season.
Hoke on Woodard: "A lion's heart. He had a heart condition his freshman year. He couldn't play for a whole year. And we just have so many guards on our team. He's just a quiet, great kid. Tough as nails. One of the fastest kids I've ever seen."
No. 15: Adzmir Ludvig
6-foot-3, junior, forward
A bench player, Ludvig has shown more enthusiasm than anyone when inserted late in games. He threw down a dunk in celebration when Central York beat Red Lion in the second round of the state playoffs. He's also Ben Natal's cousin.
Hoke on Ludvig: "Everybody's favorite kid. He's the energizer bunny. He's probably — actually, I can't say probably — he's our best athlete. Pound for pound he's our best athlete and one of the best in the school. He's funny and I'm telling you, he has a screw loose. You can't contain him. He's crazy. But everybody loves him. He went from struggling with his GPA to having all As and Bs. He's the most fun kid. If I'm going to war, he would be the first person I'd pick. He and Boden Pease would go with me. He'd be on the front line."
No. 21 Eric Tati
6-foot-5, sophomore, forward
He was moved up from JV during the season. A promising player who will be utilized in the future due to his size and athleticism. He's a frequent participant in Central York's pregame dance circle.
Hoke on Tati: "A very funny kid. Talented kid. Probably the most improved from last year. Not even probably. By far the most improved kid I have."
No. 22: Byron Pinkney
6-foot-4, junior, guard
Pinkney scored 11 points in a game against Dallastown early this season but has struggled with injuries. He's also a talented musician and drummer.
Hoke on Pinkney: "He's going to shock people next season. Be ready. I've told him: 'Wait for your moment because it's going to happen.' He was working his way into the rotation this season and he just got hurt twice. It's a shame because his length could really help us. He's ready at any moment. I could put him in at the Giant Center in the championship game with a minute to go and not be worried about his performance."
Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on X at @bad2theallibone.