High School South heads into the basketball summer league’s playoffs as the No. 1 seed. With an 8-2 record in league play, the Pirates earned a first-round bye. They sat out the July 18 preliminary round, which determined their opponent in the semifinal round on Monday, July 23.
Head coach Bob Schurtz says his team is led by the senior duo of Bryan Rivers and Zavon Johnson, two returning starters. Schurtz describes point guard Rivers, who is being recruited by Ivy League schools, as an explosive scorer who also improves his teammates’ shot opportunities.
In South’s backcourt Rivers teams with Johnson to form a powerful tandem. Schurtz says the team is lucky to have such a strong backcourt, as Johnson is also being recruited to play in college.
“These are two of the main guards in our conference, and they’re our leading scorers as well. Tommy Hussong, who’s going to be a sophomore, competes with these two big guys every day. He’s improved much because of their modeling, showing him and the rest of the team how you play, act, and interact as a team member,” Schurtz said.
The coach expects South’s strength at the guard position to continue past the upcoming season, saying Hussong will see significant time on the varsity basketball team and gain recognition for his play in the future.
South’s senior presences on the front line are 6’5” forward Brian Matthews, Jeff Paskewitz, and small forward Dennis Zhou. Schurtz describes Paskewitz as South’s main energy spark off the bench who “runs around like a maniac.”
In Zhou’s case, the coach knows that additional practice has paid off with a finely tuned jump shot. To practice, Zhou takes between 350 and 400 shots, sinking at least 200 three-pointers each time out. Schurtz says Zhou’s field goal percentage has been steady at 55-60 percent.
“The repetition certainly helps his shooting technique and muscle memory. Zhou played JV last year, and through the summer he’s worked hard. He wants to make an impact going into his senior season and contribute to this team,” Schurtz said.
Though High School North’s team did not qualify for the summer league playoffs after a slow start, the Knights won four of their last five games heading into the final contest of the year against Delran.
Several players emerged as potential contributors to the varsity squad. Xavier Dory, a wing player who splits time between shooting guard and small forward, has been a catalyst of North’s defense.
In the frontcourt North has some size too, led by senior Darrien Banks.
“He’s solid power forward/center who is fundamentally sound. We’ve seen good play from Darrien, and he’s been rebounding really well this summer,” said head coach Tim Stevens.
Kevin Murphy, an incoming sophomore, is likely to spend time at point guard. Murphy has done a good job of leading the offense and running plays for his teammates during North’s late run in the summer league.
The Knights’ leading scorer this summer was Juwan Harrison, who is headed into his junior year. Harrison plays shooting guard and also handles the ball from time to time, but he has seen much success taking defenders off the dribble and elevating for shots.
One potential contributor not playing this summer is senior Brian Wang, a threat from three-point territory who is in China this summer. Stevens expects Wang to come back in good shape to contribute to the varsity team. Stevens also says up to five sophomore players could compete to make varsity.
At most games in South’s gym, former football standout Chris Evans has attended and dribbled a basketball on the sidelines, shouting to friends on South’s basketball squad.
Evans was the Pirates’ starting shooting guard in the 2011 summer league, and he went on to win the conference player of the year award.
“Chris was a great leader, and he’s been a success in everything he’s done in life. He has sound morals and principles, and that has served as a tremendous asset to me as a coach,” Schurtz said.
“Like with many of our athletics alumni, Chris is like a family member. Players develop an allegiance to one another and love of hanging out at the gym. In the summer it’s a lot more relaxed, there’s a lots of jokes,” Schurtz says.
