Central League Preview: 2021-22 MVP Watch List

[caption id="attachment_1152840" align="alignleft" width="268"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Demetrius-Lilley-2022-3-crop-378x248-1616168258.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1152840" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Demetrius-Lilley-2022-3-crop-378x248-1616168258-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="176" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"] (C/O 2022) from Lower Merion. Photo: Lower Merion Athletics[/caption] <p>With “official” PIAA high school basketball activities kicking off on November 19^th, the start of what we all hope will be a full and complete Central League hoops schedule is just a couple of weeks away.</p> <p>With that in mind, below is a preview of five players (Presented in alphabetical order.) we view as the front runners to win the 2021-22 Central League MVP award.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1119137" first="Jackson" last="Hicke"] </strong>– <strong>6’5” / Junior / Radnor / SJ Hoops Elite-Gray / Wing:</strong> After an explosive spring / summer stretch of basketball, one of the hottest 2023 wing prospects in southeastern Pennsylvania is primed to take the court for a full season of Central League action. In 2020-21 Hicke was a starter who averaged 12.7 ppg for a Radnor team that recorded a roller coaster season. However, after seeing the improved scoring abilities Hicke has exhibited in recent months we suggest you can forget all about last season’s stats. Instead focus on this versatile prospect’s ability to score at all three levels. Hicke’s scoring prowess starts with his ability to splash home threes – spots ups; off the dribble and coming off pick action. He will use that automatic perimeter shot to set up a ball fake and a couple dribbles to get to his mid-range spots or all the way to the cup for a bucket. On the past spring/summer grassroots circuit Hicke posted a couple 30-spots. Then in September during Comp Edge Fall League action he notched a 40-point effort (8-14 from three). During Radnor’s run to the Comp Edge League title Hicke also spent stretches running at point guard spot and was remarkably effective in that role. In short, it should be a monstrous season for Hicke. One that could be MVP worthy.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1185982" first="Max" last="Koehler"] </strong><strong>– 6’1’’ / Junior / Garnet Valley / SJ Hoops Elite-Gray / Combo Guard:</strong> Koehler was a key starter (7.3 ppg) on a Jaguars team that won 14 games during the Covid shortened season, captured the school’s first Central League title and went to the District 1 semifinal. Now with 1,000-point scorer Carl Schaller (2020-21 CL MVP) and three-point ace Justin Langan having graduated, this season Koehler will be cast as GV’s primary ball handler and number one option on offense. This high-level combo guard should be up to that challenge. Koehler is a superb change of speed guard who can get to the rim and score with either hand. He has also as mastered the art of kissing the mid-range jumper and floaters of the glass for a bucket. However, if a defender attempts to keep Koehler out of the lane by giving him space, Koehler will simply knock down the open three. Garnet Valley uses a fast-paced attack featuring an excellent off ball movement as well as precision passing. We believe Koehler will get a bounty of open looks in 2021-22 and that he is ready to take advantage of those scoring opportunities.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991320" first="Saahir" last="Lee"]</strong> <strong>– 5’10” / Senior / Penncrest / Media Mustangs / Point Guard:</strong> Lee owns some of the slickest handles in southeastern Pennsylvania making him the best drive-and-kick-out-to-the-three-point-line player in the Central League. In addition to his handles and distribution skills, Lee can play the role of scoring point guard. In 2019-20 as the floor leader for a Lions squad that captured 21 wins, Lee posted 9.4 ppg. In 2021-22 that number jumped up to 15 ppg. Lee’s highlights from last year include a 25-point outburst against Radnor and a 23-point performance vs. Strath Haven. Now with high level center Denzel Atkinson-Boyer moving on because of graduation, we expect Lee’s scoring numbers to increase yet again in 2021-22. This multi-talented prospect excels at getting to the rim in in the half-court or out in transition. Lee can knock down the mid-range jumper as well. During the summer/fall Lee displayed a more consistent 3-point shot which will help set up his dribble-drive game. With an improved skill set and increased opportunities, Lee should build on 2020-21’s success and be a dark horse candidate for Central League MVP.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991216" first="Demetrius" last="Lilley"]</strong> <strong>– 6’9’’ / Senior / Lower Merion / Philly Pride National UAA / Center:</strong> A two-time 1^st Team All-Central League selection as well as a 2^nd team 6A All-State choice last year, Lilley’s (6’9” 250 lbs.) complete domination of the painted area continued last season as he averaged a double-double with 20 &amp; 12 per contest. The big fella can finish at the rim and owns a decent shooting touch from mid-range. He even added a consistent three point shot to his game this season. He displayed this new skill set several times last winter, but none more memorable then when he splashed home 3 threes on his way to a 31 and 20 double-double (Plus 4 blocks.) in a win over Downingtown West. Lilley also notched 25 points and 13 rebounds in the 6A state semifinal tourney loss to a loaded Archbishop Wood squad. The scariest part is that Lilley worked hard on his conditioning / body this summer, so he returns for his senior season as a stronger, lighter, and faster big man. Lilley is committed to Penn State and is the odds-on favorite to win the MVP award this coming season.</p> [caption id="attachment_1288030" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/mike-walz-2022-2-crop-640x421-1632244789.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1288030 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/mike-walz-2022-2-crop-640x421-1632244789-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Mike Walz (C/0 2022) from Conestoga. Photo: Conestoga HS Athletics[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1119123" first="Michael" last="Walz"] </strong><strong>– 6‘10” / Senior / Conestoga / Philly Pride National UAA / Power Forward:</strong> Unfortunately, because of Covid safety and protocol measures Conestoga’s 2020-21 season was limited to ten games. But that did not stop Walz from posting near double-double stats -- 9.5 ppg. &amp; 10 rpg. -- to go along with 2.5 swats per contest. Still last winter was just the starting point of Walz’s meteoric rise on the recruiting scene. After a tremendous run on the spring grassroots circuit, Walz became the hottest big man prospect in southeastern PA. Then in June at Philly HS Live Walz proved he can play the modern era stretch-four role. At that event Walz (225 lbs.) scored on the interior with both hands – off the dribble and with his back to the basket. He also stepped out to the arc to drain threes. The July recruiting period brought more of the same off-the-charts play from Walz. A relentless motor and high basketball IQ compliment his polished skill set. His outstanding performances during spring/summer grabbed the attention of college coaches. After considering a slew of DI offers, Walz committed to Richmond. Outside of Lilley (see above), there is not a prospect in the Central League who can match Walz’s combination of size, strength, and skills. So, there is no telling what kind of incredible stat line Walz will produce in 2021-22. Which means there is an extraordinarily strong chance those numbers will lead to him winning the league MVP award.</p>