Central League (SEPA) Preview: Elite Bigs
Mike Walz (C/O 2022). Photo: Conestoga HS Athletics In 2019-20 the Central League in Southeastern, PA posted a banner season as Garnet Valley, Lower Merion, Strath Haven, Penncrest and Radnor all won 15+ games and appeared in the PIAA state…
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Continue ReadingIn 2019-20 the Central League in Southeastern, PA posted a banner season as Garnet Valley, Lower Merion, Strath Haven, Penncrest and Radnor all won 15+ games and appeared in the PIAA state tournament. For a number of reasons, I expect the high level of basketball competition in the Central League to continue here in 2020-21.
One reason for that belief is the number of elite level shooters taking the floor this season for Central League teams. Another reason is the fact that the Central League boasts a host of talented guards who can, simply put, get buckets. Today we will look at the third reason – the “bigs” from the Central League who will excel during the 2020-21 season and at the next level.
Denzel Atkinson-Boyer Denzel Atkinson-Boyer 6'7" | PF Penncrest | 2021 State PA – 6’8” / Senior / Penncrest / Forward-Center: A long and wiry athlete who plays much bigger than 6’8”, Atkinson-Boyer is a dominant shot blocker and a force on the glass. Thanks to his high level finishing skills and ability to operate above the rim, Atkinson-Boyer was a double-double machine last season. Included in Atkinson-Boyer solid 2019-20 (Honorable Mention All-Delaware County selection) was an impressive 15 & 12 performance vs. St. Joe’s Prep (Phila., PA). With the graduation of Marquis Tomlin and Aidan Carroll, last season’s leading scorers, a third straight trip to states for Penncrest will fall directly on the shoulders of Atkinson-Boyer.
Andrew Fox – 6’8” / Senior / Conestoga / Power Forward: A returning starter and member of the varsity team since his sophomore year, Fox had developed into a skilled interior presence at both ends of the floor. Fox can run rim to rim with ease and in the half-court, he moves smoothly for a player of his size. This 2021 prospect can finish at the tin with both hands and excels at 2nd chance opportunities. On the defensive end of the floor, Fox is a legit shot blocker and can control the glass. At the Bubble Breakout II event back in early November, Fox turned heads with an excellent all-around performance. Fox also played solidly for the Conestoga in the Competitive Edge Fall League.
Robbie Guilday – 6’6” / Senior / Strath Haven / Power Forward: Guilday is an “old school” four-man who can finish with either hand at the rim and score from the elbows with his sweet jumper. He owns excellent foot work, positioning knowledge and box outs skills. That tri-fecta enables him to score numerous 2nd chance buckets each game. Guilday can also use a solid head-ball fake and then one or two bounces to score on his defender 1-on-1. When teams play zone vs. Strath Haven, Guilday can slide to the high post where he is an excellent passer. Guilday can shoot the three a little, but he is definitely more comfortable operating around the paint.
Demetrius Lilley Demetrius Lilley 6'8" | PF Lower Merion | 2022 State PA – 6’9” / Junior / Lower Merion / Forward-Center: 2019-20 was Lilley’s first season playing for legendary coach Greg Downer at LM (He previously attended Church Farm HS). Under Downer (600+ wins), Lilley turned into a double-double machine, averaging 17 & 12 per contest. On the strength of that stat line and nights like his 34 points and 19 rebounds effort vs Upper Darby, he was selected as a 1st Team All-Central League player. At 6’9” 250 lbs. Lilley is a dominant beast in the paint. The big fella has also shown a decent shooting touch from mid-range. The scariest part about Lilley is that his body is still developing and his basketball skills are raw. A little time in the weight room, some speed-agility work, improvements on his jumper and ability to pass out of the double team, could enable Lilley to push LM to another state title. This summer Lilley picked up offers from Saint Joe’s and LaSalle.
Mike Walz – 6’9” / Junior / Conestoga / Forward-Center: Among the prospects in this article, Walz could be the “big” with the most upside. In 2019-20 “Big Mike” was the 6th / 7th man for ‘Stoga who provided rebounding and rim protection. However, this summer with Philly Pride on the grassroots circuit Walz displayed significant improvements in his game. Walz could always finish at the rim, but in the last 6 months, he added a solid 3-point shot and developed a nice mid-range game. This fall in the Competitive Edge League he also flashed a jump-hook that should be an effective weapon for him this season. Walz is shockingly athletic for a kid his size and does a great job of passing out of double teams. In the last couple of months he has picked up offers from LaSalle, Saint Joe’s, Lehigh and Penn State.