Some of the top players in the state return for another season in the competitive Mid-Penn Conference as the Pennsylvania boys basketball season begins this week.
Subscribe to PennLive’s high school sports newsletter every day.
In order to determine the situation going into the season, we polled all of the conference’s coaches. Here is PennLive’s division-by-division preview.
The district champion Mechanicsburg and the defending divisional champions Hershey lead the Mid-Penn Keystone Division, with many excellent teams vying for their position.
Palmyra on November 13, 2024, at PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
8. The Palmyra
Coach: Tim Bean
Last year: 5–16
G/F Braydon Brown, 6-2, Jr.; G/F Aidan Willard, 6-2, Jr.; G/F Cameron Scott, 5-11, Sr.; G/F Bennett Weaber, 6-2, Sr.; G Alex Dorta, 5-9, Sr.; F Micha Warner, 6-4, Jr.; G Luke Grumbine, 5-11, Jr.; G Nolan Haney, 5-9, Jr.; G Jackson Bowman, 5-10, Jr.; G Brady Kyper, 5-11, So.; G/F Tommy Steelman, 6-0, Jr.
Buzz: With many new players joining the team, the Cougars will try to establish a fresh foundation in 2024–2025. Alex Dorta, who did not participate last season but averaged 11.3 points per game in 2022–2023, is one returning player. He ought to be in charge of the younger team, and a strong season for the senior could result in a better 24–25 record.
Cedar Cliff on the media day for PennLive’s boys basketball game. November 13, 2024. [email protected] Sean Simmers
7. The Cedar Cliff
Kevin Rutherford is the coach.
Last year: August 14
F Mar Autry, 6-4, So.; G Garret Weaver, 6-1, Jr.; C Hazikyah Latini, 6-5, Sr.; G/F Trey Seilhamer, 6-2, Sr.; C Troy Joray, 6-4, So.; C Brycen George, 6-4, Jr.; G/F Julius Tirado, 6-2, Sr.; G Moe Ahmed, 6-2, Jr.; G Jayvion Walker, 5-9, Jr.; G Seth Lehman, 5-9, Sr.; G Levi Lehman, 5-9, Sr.
Buzz: The Colts’ production of divisional Player of the Year Sam Grube raises an apparent concern this season: how will the program replace him? A year ago, the forward accounted for the majority of Cedar Cliff’s scoring, but today the team has a number of young players who are prepared to take his place. Mar Autry and Troy Joray may also establish themselves as frontcourt players for Cedar Cliff, while Seth and Levi Lehman appear ready to manage the backcourt.
Mifflin County on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
6. The County of Mifflin
Wade Curry is the coach.
Last year: 10–13
F Josh Hartzler, 6-2, JR; F Landon Haigh, 6-1, Jr.; G Evan Strohecker, 5-8, Jr.; G Aidan Attivo, 6-0, Sr.; G Zach Keller, 5-11, So.; G Jack Curry, 5-11, So.
Buzz: After a few disappointing seasons, the Huskies made significant progress a year ago, led by big man Jayden Bilger. Despite Bilger’s graduation, the pantry isn’t empty. Being the best shooter in the league from a distance, Jack Curry is a guard who lives up to his last name. Evan Strohecker also makes his injury comeback. Josh Hartzler, who made significant progress this offseason, is expected to contribute to the team as a wing impact player.
Red Land on Nov. 13, 2024, at PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
5. The Land of Red
Coach: Mike Mehaffey
Last year: 16–7
Key players: G. Austin Michelsen, 5-9, Jr.; G. Solomon Brown, 6-2, Jr.; C. Quinlin Shearer, 6-6, Jr.; F. Bodie Zeiders, 6-4, Sr.; F. Noah May, 6-4, Sr.; G. Cole Collier, 6-0, Sr.; G. Colton Rose, 6-0, Jr.; F. Jordan McCahan, 6-2, Sr.
Buzz: Lewisberry’s winning program, which Mike Mehaffey has been working to develop, will be put to the ultimate test this winter when the team loses many important members from the district-qualifying squad. Now that the sweet-shooting guard is attempting to replace Tyler Kerlin’s scoring touch, Colton Rose will be the mainstay of the attack. Elijah Espinosa and Anderson French’s graduations will leave gaps in the frontcourt, which will be filled by Noah May, Bodie Zeiders, and Quinlin Shearer.
Milton Hershey on November 13, 2024, at PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
4. Hershey, Milton
Scott Rooney is the coach.
Last year: March 19
G Kahlif Turner, 6-0, Jr.; G Kingston George, 5-11, Jr.; G Taiye Onabanwo, 5-8, Sr.; G Aryan Sandhu, 6-0, Sr.; G Steven Dao, 5-10, Sr.; G Josh Gibb, 6-1, Sr.; G Gavin OVerman, 5-9, Jr.; F Abdou Diene, 6-6, So.; G Boyega Awofiranye, 6-1, Jr.; G Josh Sessoms, 6-1, Sr.; G/F Mekhi Nivar, 6-2, So.; F Dylan Crawford, 6-3, So.
Buzz: A squad with a 3-19 record ranking this high in the preseason is uncommon. However, the Spartans are projected to do well following a fantastic summer ball offseason. While Abdou Diene will continue to grow as a physical presence down low, expect youngster Khalif Turner to be among the best players in the division. For a bright team captained by veteran Milton Hershey assistant Rooney, guard Boyega Awofiranye is a contender to make a breakthrough.
Lower Dauphin on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
3. Dauphin Lower
Coach: Rick Attivo
Last year: 12–11
G Brady Hofsass, 6-3, senior; G/F Nico DeFrank, 6-7, senior; G Wes Heagy, 6-1, senior; F Landon Miller, 6-4, senior; G Evan Deibler, 5-10, senior; G Isaac Medlin, 5-11, junior; G/F Luke Brown, 6-3, junior; F Colin Shaffer, 6-4, senior; G Tyler McKay-Newman, 5-10, senior; G Tein Deimler, 5-11, so; G Noah Warren, 5-11, so; G Jacob Ryan, 5-11, so; G Evan Ketty, 5-10, senior; G Chase Murphy, 5-8, senior.
Buzz: Before losing to Greencastle last season, the Falcons barely made it into the playoffs. This year, however, Lower Dauphin has greater goals in mind, and their starting five is composed entirely of seniors who are eager to use their experience to their advantage. Brady Hofsass, one of the league’s finest returning scorers, and Nico DeFrank, one of the best big men, are the starting points of it all. A run to a divisional title shouldn’t surprise anyone because the LD team is strong.
Hershey on Nov. 13, 2024, during PennLive’s boys basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
2. Hershey’s
Paul Blackburn is the coach.
Last year: 21–4
Key players: G. Cameron Sweeney, 6-2, Jr.; G. James Campbell, 6-4, Sr.; G. Aidan Miller, 5-11, Sr.; F. LJ Douglas, 6-2, Fr.; G. Jaidan Waynes, 6-3, Sr.; G. Grant Later, 6-0, Jr.; G. Drew Grana, 6-1, So.; G. Jack Zakovitch, 6-0, Jr.; G. Roman Panko, 6-4, Sr.; F. Mehmet Amasyali, 6-3, Sr.; G. James Argento, 6-0, Jr.; G. Ben Felix, 6-0, Sr.; G. Alexx Guzman, 5-11, Jr.
Buzz: After winning a district silver a year ago, Hershey is still winning under head coach Paul Blackburn. Since the club loses important players like Isaiah Danner, Logan Richards, and Derek Guzman, junior guard Cameron Sweeney will probably have to step up as the team’s top dog in an attack that is often well-balanced. Hershey should have one of the conference’s most formidable defenses, while James Campbell and Aidan Miller should be dependable backups.
1. Mechanicsburg
Mike Gaffey is the coach.
Last year: 21–6
Key players:G Josh Smith, 6-2, Sr.; G Chance Yanoski, 6-2, Sr.; G Justin Bardo, 6-0, Sr.; C Liam Owens, 6-3, Sr.; F Andrew Simpkins, 6-3, Sr.; G Elijah Beya, 5-10, Sr.; G Isaac Dollman, 5-11, Sr.; F Jacob Eager, 6-3, Jr.; G Aiden Pinkser, 6-0, Jr.
Buzz:The defending District 3 champs return nearly their entire roster from a year ago, most notably the group of seniors that has overseen a dominant run with Mike Gaffey taking over the program. The backcourt of Josh Smith and Chance Yanoski is as strong and productive as there is in District 3, while Justin Bardo does everything a glue guy is supposed to do. Watch for senior Elijah Beya to be a spark plug as the Wildcats fight for another D3 crown.
Player of the Year during the Preseason
Mechanicsburg’s Josh Smith during PennLive s boys basketball media day. November 13, 2024. [email protected] Sean Simmers
Josh Smith, Mechanicsburg
Buzz:Smith averaged over 18 points per game a year ago for the Wildcats en route to a state title, but even that doesn t measure the impact he has for the group. Smith is a stalwart on both ends of the ball, also racking up steals and blocks, but is simply a proven big-game player with a knack for elevating his game when the Wildcats need it the most.
We appreciate your interest in PennLive. There has never been a greater need for local journalism of high quality. We need your help. Not yet a subscriber? Please think about helping us out.
More High School Sports
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!