Pioneer Athletic Conference: Players to Watch in 2020-21

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Gabe-Dorsey.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-991866 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Gabe-Dorsey-300x298.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="298" /></a>In recent years the Pioneer Athletic Conference has been dominated by traditional Pennsylvania state powerhouse Methacton HS. However, with the retirement of legendary head coach Jeff Derstine and the fact that the Warriors lost four starters to graduation, I expect the PAC will be significantly more competitive this coming season. Here’s a look at a few of the players who will be trying to unseat Methacton in 2020-21 and two looking to keep the 3-time defending league champs on top.   JP Baron 6’2” / Junior / Pope John Paul II / Combo Guard: Baron is a name you should hear a good deal during the 2020-21 season. Last year he made a huge impact for PJP coming us the bench to provide instant offense and energy. Baron used that momentum to post a solid summer 2020 including being named a standout at the Hoop Group Elite event back in July. This combo-guard can score at all 3 levels, but is gaining a reputation as a legit 3-point ace. In 2019-20 for PJP he shot 38% from deep and drained seven 3PAs vs Upper Merion. This coming season Baron will be thrust into the first five where in addition to his scoring, his high basketball IQ, excellent court vision and ability to run at both guard spots will help PJP greatly. Brett Byrne 6’2” / Junior / Methacton / Shooting Guard: As the only returning starter for a program that will feature a new head coach in 2020-21, Byrne will be asked to carry the load for traditional basketball powerhouse Methacton. Still, if last year’s PAC championship game proved anything, it’s that Byrne can handle the pressure. Traditionally a role player for last year’s senior led Methacton squad, Byrne busted out in that ‘chip game by raining in 6 threes (6-10 3PAs) and pushing the Warriors to the win. In 2020-21 Byrne is expected to become the No. 1 offensive option at Methacton. In that role, college coaches and fans will see the Byrne is a hard-nosed kid with great court awareness, who can really fill it up. Especially with the corner three ball. [player_tooltip player_id="991171" first="Tre" last="Diguglielmo"] 6’4” / Senior / Boyertown / Wing: Coming into the 2019-20 season, Diguglielmo already had a reputation as dead-eye three point shooter, but the skill set he showed last season proved he is not one dimensional. His non-stop motor and ability to move without the ball make him a threat on the interior as well. Specifically his ability to dive to the rim of pick-n-roll action or a back-screen are very impressive. Diguglielmo also owns an effective head / ball fake move that after he has drained a couple threes, allows him to put the ball on the floor and get to the rack. Last season he posted 12.6 points and 7.6 boards per game while leading the squad with 42 threes in the regular season and pushed the Bears to district tournament for first time since 2016. [player_tooltip player_id="990931" first="Gabe" last="Dorsey"] 6’6” / Senior / Hill School / Wing: A phenomenal basketball player as well as a leader on-the-court (team captain) and off (In early September Dorsey gave a very powerful BLM speech to the student body during a Hill School “chapel talk”.), Dorsey is already committed to Vanderbilt. The Commodores are getting an elite player who can really stroke the 3-ball. Honestly, he’s one of the best deep shooters in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2019-20 Dorsey set the Hill single-season record with 78 threes made and is the school’s career leader in 3PM. In addition to draining threes, Dorsey can handle the rock and excels in transition. He averaged 15 points and 4 rebs per game last season and was a 2nd team Pennsylvania Class 4-A All-State selection. [player_tooltip player_id="990972" first="Justin" last="Green"] 6’6” / Senior / Pope John Paul II / Wing: Green is a long, skilled and well-rounded wing player who shot 38% from deep last winter. Basically he’s an NBA scout’s dream. A 1st Team All Area and 2nd team All-State player, Green was good for 13 points and 8.8 rebs, as he led the Golden Panthers to a 21-5 mark, a division championship, league title game trip, a District 1-4A title and the school’s first appearance in the PIAA quarterfinals. This summer while running with Pro Skills Philly, Green displayed the ability to score off the bounce and outstanding court vision. In recognition of his talents, Green was selected as a participant in the “invite only” Check Rock Summer League at the 76ers Fieldhouse (Wilmington, DE). [player_tooltip player_id="991198" first="Cole" last="Hargrove"] 6’5” / Junior / Methacton / Forward: In 2019-20, Hargrove was the 6th man who supplied a scoring punch and rebounding for a Methacton squad that ran up a 28-2 mark (the most wins in program history), won its first District 1 Class 6A championship and had hopes of advancing deep into the state postseason before the PIAA quarterfinal round was cancelled by the ongoing pandemic. This coming season Hargrove steps into the starting lineup and he will be expected to contribute heavily for a team that lost 4 senior starters. With extended minutes in 2020-21, college coaches and fans will see that Hargrove owns great footwork, can finish in traffic and is a workhorse on the glass. As a bonus, the kid can bury mid-range and baseline Js. Other Notables: Collin Bowman 6’1” / Junior / Upper Merion / Wing: A lefty role player who was good for 7.4 ppg. last season, Bowman’s 30-points and game winning 3-ball at the buzzer in OT vs Upper Merion gave everyone a glimpse of what to expect in 2020-21 from this highly skilled wing player. Jake Kressley 6’4” / Junior / Spring Ford / Forward: A versatile and very athletic baller, Kressley can fill the lanes in transition or play physical on the interior in the half court. Plays for Eastern PA Elite AAU.