A game-by-game preview of the L-L League boys basketball quarterfinals (2024)

One of the wildest, most unpredictable boys basketball regular seasons is over. It’s time for the playoffs.

All eight teams in the Lancaster-Lebanon League tournament believe they have a chance to claim the title. After the way the past two months went, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Here’s a look at Monday's quarterfinal matchups:

Section 3 runner-up Octorara (8-4 league, 16-6 overall) at Section 1 champ Cedar Crest (9-1, 16-5), 7 p.m.

The Braves

Player to watch: Zach Kirk is a four-year starter who was the first L-L player to reach 1,000 points this season. The 6-foot senior is averaging 18.6 points with 32 3-pointers.

Unsung hero: Shane Althouse, a 6-foot-4 forward, is a good rebounder who offers a physical presence in the paint and senior leadership.

L-L playoff history: Qualified for the tournament three times since joining the league in 2018-19.

Outlook: Finished the regular season on a four-game losing streak after starting 8-0 in section play … Junior Jason Johnson (11.6) and sophom*ore Vincent Thaler (11.5) provide complementary scoring ... Sophom*ore Lazo Christou runs the offense.

The Falcons

Player to watch: Fernando Marquezis averaging a team-high 14 points. The 6-foot-1 senior is crafty near the rim. His quick first step and running back strength make him tough to stop.

Unsung hero: Owen Chernich is a terrific defender who is second on the team with 22 3-pointers while averaging 7.3 points.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Manheim Central in last year’s semifinals. Four-time L-L champion with the last title coming in 2015.

Outlook: Wire-to-wire winners in Section One with only league loss coming against Penn Manor … Scoring is deep and balanced with 6-foot-7 junior R.J. Young (8.8), 6-foot-6 senior Aiden Schomp (7.5) and 3-point sniper Leo Tirado (7.3) contributing … Danny Speaks provides a spark off the bench.

Section 2 runner-up Manheim Central (10-2 league, 18-4 overall) at Section 4 champ Columbia (8-0, 17-4), 7 p.m.

The Barons

Player to watch: Aaron Enterline has become a highlight reel. The 6-foot-3 senior is averaging 13.2 points and can seemingly score at will at crucial moments.

Unsung hero: Jackson Tracy helps take care of the ball and will hit some timely shots while averaging 5.9 points. The 5-foot-11 senior has 29 3-pointers and makes his free throws.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Hempfield in first appearance in championship game last season.

Outlook: Was the last L-L team to suffer a loss after starting 9-0 … Ended the regular season by thumping Warwick 52-28, ending the Warriors' 11-game win streak … A balanced scoring attack is bolstered by Sam Witmer (8.9), Mason Rodgers (8.5) and Ryan Kenneff (6.0) ... Zac Hahn is a defensive specialist.

The Crimson Tide

Player to watch: Artie Poindexter is one of the league’s best pure point guards. A pass-first floor leader who is third on the team averaging 12.3 points.

Unsung hero: Brelon Miller averages 12.8 points and earns most of those near the rim. The 6-foot senior is a natural guard who rebounds and defends big men because of his team’s lack of size.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Cedar Crest in last year’s quarterfinals. Captured championships in 1989 and 1990.

Outlook: Ran the table in Section Four and swept the season series from rival Lancaster Mennonite … Uses pressure defense to create points in transition … Jordan Poole is the most dynamic scorer averaging 15.4 points … Ladarian Miller is the leading 3-point threat with 45.

Section 4 runner-up Lancaster Mennonite (6-2 league, 15-7 overall) at Section 2 champ Warwick (11-1, 15-6), 7 p.m.

The Blazers

Player to watch: Cody Fisher is a 6-foot-3 wing who can score from deep, has a mid-range jumper and can dunk in transition. The sophom*ore averages 17.2 points.

Unsung hero: Bill Rothwein is one of three sophom*ores in the starting lineup. The 6-foot-2 forward provides rebounding and much-needed muscle in the paint.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Hempfield in last year’s quarterfinals. Reached the championship game once in 1991.

Outlook: Struggled down the stretch with three losses in final five games … Chase Hurst is the engine that runs the offense. The 5-foot-10 point guard is averaging 9.7 points and has a knack for getting to the foul line … Myles Halvorsen, who missed seven weeks with an injury, is back and averaging 9.2 points … Jadyn Taylor has provided a scoring boost since joining the starting five.

The Warriors

Player to watch: Carter Horst is an excellent perimeter defender and one of the best rebounding guards in the league. The 6-foot-1 senior averages 14.3 points.

Unsung hero: Mason Burr is a stopper off the bench who can lock down the other team’s top scorer. Team's rotation is filled with quality role players.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Hempfield in last year’s semifinals. Last championship came in 1988.

Outlook: The hottest team in the league, winners of 11 in a row, before a dud against Manheim Central in the regular season finale … Caleb Johnsen is the other top scoring threat averaging 13.4 points … Ya’ Majesty Washington is the best interior defender who chips in 6.1 points … Tyree Hughes runs the point and averages 6.3 points.

Section 1 runner-up Penn Manor (6-4 league, 16-6 overall) at Section 3 champ Lampeter-Strasburg (10-2, 16-6), 7 p.m.

The Comets

Player to watch: Ethan Benne is arguably the league’s MVP. The 6-foot-6 senior is averaging 22.9 points and shoots 83% at the line.

Unsung hero: Andrew Gallioncan get lost in the shuffle because he doesn’t score much. The 5-foot-10 junior is essential to protecting the ball against pressure defense and traps.

L-L playoff history: Making first appearance since 2010. Seeking first win in this tournament since 1990.

Outlook: Earned second place in Section One by defeating Hempfield on the last day of the regular season … Michael Lower is one of the league’s top 3-point shooters and is averaging 13.1 points … Dhamir Wesley is an imposing presence in the paint and scores 7.8 points … Devin Figueroa has returned from injury to provide an emotional lift.

The Pioneers

Player to watch: Chase Smucker is a scoring force. The 5-foot-11 junior has made 51 3-pointers and 104 free throws on his way to averaging 18.1 points. He’ll attack the rim or launch from deep.

Unsung hero: Yasin Abdi is one of the primary ballhandlers. The 5-foot-11 guard contributes to the offense by averaging 7.3 points.

L-L playoff history: Lost to Warwick in last year’s quarterfinals. Won championships in 2018 and 2022.

Outlook: Ended the regular season with 10 wins in 11 games and owns victories over Class 6A playoff qualifiers Cedar Crest and Chambersburg … Justin Glick is the most indispensable player after Smucker. The 6-foot-3 forward averages 11.9 points and is the top rebounder … Dean Herr is a clutch shooter who has made 42 3-pointers.