America’s greatest pastime is set to return this week. There is really nothing like house basketball. March Madness, the World Series, or even the Stanley Cup Playoffs pale in comparison to the competitive spirit and will to win in this beautiful sport. As everyone knows, the rankings are a huge part of the league and are taken seriously by all players. I’ve done the rankings since my sophomore year, but I plan on this year being the best. I’m going to do them weekly and plan on giving a new award each week. If you have any ideas for awards, let me know. ALSO, if any sophomores or freshman want to write the rankings for the 9th/10th grade league, please let me know, as the rankings are a long storied tradition that I’d like to keep going.
Without further adieu, here are the Preseason Rankings for 11/12th grade house ball.
1)Suns
This is a stacked team to say the least. Cousins Teddy Brannigan and Willie Keating are two massive human beings that will be rebound and defensive machines for this squad. Guards Bruce Ferguson and Max Grant are also two key players that look to hit some shots and feed Keating and Brannigan down low. Glen Fay is also an underrated player who has the ability to knockdown big time threes. The Suns are extremely well rounded and will be a nightmare for opposing teams defensively. Apparently, though, they will be missing Keating, Grant, and Ferguson for their first game because of a conflict with another sport. If anyone can tell me what sport is more important than house basketball, I’d love to know. Without these three stars, the Suns will need to look for contributions from players like Connor Percarpio, a house ball veteran whose wisdom and “Coach K like” basketball IQ could be huge for this team down the stretch.
2)Nets
On the website it says the Nets coach is Guy Phillips, but I’ve heard reports that the real head coach for this team will be Dickinson bound Jack Tierney, or as I like to call him, “The Red Devil”, or as others like to call him, “Cherry Garcia” (it’s his favorite icecream flavor). Under the leadership of Tierney, a varsity basketball captain (lol what a waste of time), this team could definitely put together a strong season. Similar to the Suns, they have guys that can do pretty much everything for them. They have two great big men in Alex Phillips and Will Rooney, both of whom are psychos and will do anything to win. They also have, in my opinion, the best defensive player in the league Connor Tienken. Tienken is a starting cornerback for the football team and, despite getting “mossed” against East Hartford, got two interceptions in the Wave’s last game against West Haven. David Volz will play point guard for this squad, while Hank Rech will be an emotional leader for them. Don’t sleep on Nolan Crosby, either, who knocks down 3’s like it’s his job.
3.Cavaliers
The Cavs are poised to make noise this year with a few standout names as well as some strong hustle players. Justin Van de Graaaaaaaaafz (can’t spell this kid’s last name) will be this team’s most important player as the starting point guard and best shooter, but production will come from many others. Alex Murray is a player that has the ability to drive to the hoop and knock down foul shots, while the two Blake’s, Blake Cellar and Blake Sommi, will provide some great defense for this team. Mac Mclean and Cason Stone will also add value as two solid all around athletes. The Cavs also possess two of the most electric personalities in the league in Cole Armstrong and Matt Stone. Stone and Armstrong are a couple of funny fellas who will be able to keep the team loose and have fun throughout the season.
4.Rockets
To be completely honest with you guys, other than the first three teams the league is very balanced this year, so the rest of the rankings will be fairly random and are all toss ups. I decided to put the Rockets at 4 mainly because of Jack Joyce. Joyce is one of the best players in this league and will have to play great this year if this team wants to make a run. Andrew Lucas is also key for this team, an athletic specimen, Lucas plays running back for the football team and has no problem running defenders over. If he is able to use this strength in house ball, the Rockets could go places. Other than Joyce and Lucas, this team will look for some hustle and production from players such as Tommy Reilley, Timmy Egan, and Tyler Russo.
5.Warriors
This is my team, so I decided to throw us right in the middle to not cause any controversy out of the gate. When I saw this roster, the first word that came to mind was gritty, because that is how this team is going to have to play this season. I say this because we definitely lack size, but also have a lot of talent, our top two players being Kevin Grune and Charlie Olsen. Henry Nolte will have to play big for the squad, as he is the tallest dude on the team, while Will Rehm and Connor Olson will have to add some value in the hustle department and nail the occasional 3 pointer. In terms of how I add value to this team, I’ll play some solid defense and probably hit a 3 once in awhile, but overall I’m just a really Big Baller. Jack Gordon will also be important for this team in terms of swagger. My dad, Hutch Pegler, is coaching this team. He’s made it clear that he has no basketball knowledge or any idea how he’s going to run the team, but I have confidence that he will get the job done, he’s also a pretty Big Baller.
6.Knicks
This team gets the 6 spot simply because of the man himself, Craig Triano. Craig, Craig, Craig…. what a fella. The guy nails mid-range jumpers all day, eats nothing but pizza (friends call him “Pizza Boy”), and is a handsome devil. Triano is what some may call a renaissance man, as his interests and talents span far and wide, from pizza to cool shoes, Craig can do it all. Other than Pizza Boy, the Knicks have a lot of talent in players like Cameron Raia and Jack Bogan, both of whom have the ability to play point guard and shoot the ball well. Jackson Mcnear adds some size and aggressiveness to this squad, making them a real contender this season.
7.Hornets
The name of the game for this team will be size. The Hornets will have to rely largely on play from tall guy Michael “The Bicycle” Neary, who has the ability to fight hard on the glass for rebounds and blocks. Neary’s partner in crime will be Harry Rayhill, another tough big man who remains to have the best hair in the league. John Gianattasio and AJ Arledge will also have to play well this season if the Hornets want to find success. Arledge is especially important to this team as he has the ability to play as a guard or down low near the hoop. The Hornets could be a contender if these pieces come together.
8.Spurs
This is a team that could definitely fly under the radar in the regular season but make noise in the playoffs. Max Gasvoda, Fin Batson, and Sean Collins all have the ability to play guard for this team and could all get hot from the field at any moment. The Spurs big man will be Will Wilson. Wilson is a super tall kid who hopes to get boards and feed the ball out to the playmakers. Another strong player for this team is Jack Cronin. Outside of his basketball abilities, Cronin has been come to known as a poor man’s Tim Riggins, the fullback from the beloved tv show “Friday Night Lights”. Tim Riggins was an absolute beast, so if Cronin can play anything like him then the Spurs are in good shape.
9.Celtics
Two of this squad’s key players will be Tommy Hellman and TJ Cornachia. I don’t know these guys very well as they are both juniors, but I know they both have some athletic ability, Hellman being a lacrosse player (I’ve been told, not 100 % sure) and Cornachia a wide receiver on the football team (that I’m sure of). Despite not having one “MVP type” player, this team has one of the deepest rosters in the league. One name that pops out quickly is house ball’s resident Canadian, Nathan Hadlow. Hadlow is a solid shooter and is probably the nicest player in the league. You can thank Hadlow’s Canadian upbringing as the reason for his positive attitude; some have even said that you can hear him say “Sorry, eh?” after every shot he takes. The team’s big man will be Chuck Zuro, while Alex Dehmel looks to add even more athleticism to this squad. The Celtics also have the Sullivan brothers, Ryan and Connor, two guys who I would not cross and are willing to throw punches for their teammates.
10.Raptors
As I said earlier, the team’s are very balanced this year, so this last place ranking could be completely false after this week’s games are played. As of now, though, the Raptors stand at tenth mainly because I don’t know their first rounder, Nicholas Tallis. I’m assuming Tallis is a junior who I’m not aware of, but if he is ridiculously talented and I just don’t know somebody please correct me. Cole Stevenson and Dillon O’Shea will be two solid players for this team, both of whom are good athletes and can make plays on offense and defense. Charlie Baylis is also on this squad. Baylis is a guy who, if you don’t know by now, never stops hustling and is the true definition of a team player. If the Raptors start their season off strong this week with a win they will definitely start to climb in the rankings.
Preseason Awards
MVP: Jack Joyce
Coach of the Year: Paul Hadlow
Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Tienken
Guy Who’s Not in the League Anymore But Was Really Sweaty: Tommy Murphy
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