Pioneer Athletic Conference Preview: Elite Guards

[caption id="attachment_1109046" align="alignleft" width="264"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/JP-Baron-2022-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1109046" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/JP-Baron-2022-3-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="264" height="300" /></a> JP Baron (C/O 2022) from Pope John Paul II[/caption] In recent years the Pioneer Athletic Conference has been dominated by Methacton High School. However, with the retirement of legendary Methacton head coach Jeff Derstine and the fact that the Warriors lost four starters to graduation, I expect that the race for the PAC title will be significantly more competitive during the 2020-21 season. Here’s a look at a few of the guards in the PAC who will be trying to dethrone Methacton and one 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 as 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. Kevin Green – 6’2” / Junior / Pope John Paul II / Combo Guard: Green is an ideal versatile guard to run with fellow PJP standouts [player_tooltip player_id="990972" first="Justin" last="Green"] (his brother) and the before mentioned JP Baron. Last season as a starter for the Golden Panthers, Green averaged 8 points. 4 assists and 4 rebs per game and drained an impressive 33 treys. His ability to stretch the floor and create space for others was key for PJP’s District 1 4A Championship run. With his ball-on-a-string dribbles, court vision and finishing skills, Green can also slide over to lead guard spot which allows PJP to attack opposing defenses in a variety of different ways. Mike Memmo – 6”3” / Senior / Phoenixville / Shooting Guard: As former 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown would say (in his thick Massachusetts accent), Memmo is a “bomber”. Last season as Phoenixville’s second option on offense, the sweet shooting Memmo pumped in 48 threes and hit for 13 ppg. Besides his liquid shooting stroke, Memmo’s greatest assets may be his relentless motor which produces constant off-ball movement on offense. With his ultra-quick release, Memmo only needs to lose his defender for a split second to splash home a jumper. This unique combination makes Memmo a lethal perimeter scoring threat. This past summer/fall Memmo displayed an improved ability to score off the bounce. Zack Skrocki – 5’11 / Senior / Spring Ford / Point Guard: Skrocki is an “old-school” guard who uses his speed to score in transition and his filthy dribble pull-up moves to get buckets in the mid-range. This combination allows Skrocki to destroy opposing team’s man-to-man defenses. In an effort to keep Skrocki out of the paint, opponents frequently decide to “pack it in” vs. Spring Ford and that’s when Skrocki unleashes his underrated 3-point shooting ability. In short, he’s a real problem for PAC foes. After the 2019-20 season, Skrocki was a 1st team All-PAC selection. He plays AAU ball for Eastern PA Elite. Madison Tatom – 5’11” / Sophomore / Upper Merion / Shooting Guard: One of the most talked about underclassmen prospects in the suburban Philadelphia area, Tatom saw major run as a freshman and posted 8.2 ppg. last season. He is an outstanding catch and shoot three point specialist who notched multiple games of three or more 3PM. During January 2020 Tatom hit for 19 pts vs. Spring Ford and 15 points vs. Perkiomen Valley. In addition to being a ridiculous perimeter shooter, Tatom is an excellent rebounding guard.