Adam RippleThe Daily American
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Berlin Brothersvalley ran through its regular-season competition en route to a 20-2 record, with its only losses coming to New Town, Maryland, and to WPIAL Class 6A No. 1 New Castle.
The Mountaineers played an independent schedule, hoping it would prepare them for a deep playoff run. Berlin, winners of three straight District 5 Class 1A, will bid for fourth crown in a row and seventh in the past eight seasons.
Here is a look at the names to know and teams to watch in the District 5 Class 1A and 2A playoffs that start Thursday.
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Boys basketball
Class 1A
Defending champion: Berlin Brothersvalley
Favorite: Berlin Brothersvalley
Contender: Southern Fulton
Dark horse: Turkeyfoot
Outlook: Everyone is playing for second and third place in Class 1A behind Berlin. No one will beat the Mountaineers in the district playoffs. Earning a trip to the state playoffs as the D5 No. 3 could be very meaningful for a program like Turkeyfoot or Salisbury-Elk Lick if it can upset Forbes Road in the first round.
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Players to watch
Ryan Blubaugh, sr., Berlin Brothersvalley
Blubaugh's offensive output has increased in his senior campaign. He has scored 376 points to go along with 72 rebounds, 66 assists and 34 steals. Blubaugh is also second on the team with 10 blocked shots.
Craig Jarvis, jr., Berlin Brothersvalley
Jarvis is second on the Mountaineers in scoring with 451 points, including 81 3-pointers. He averages 20.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. Jarvis also has a team-high 11 blocks.
Lance Jones, fr., Salisbury-Elk Lick
Since senior Daulton Sellers went down with an injury, Jones has stepped up and led the Elks (8-13). He has tallied 330 points. He also has a team-high 67 assists and 44 steals. Jones is second on the team with 127 rebounds.
Chris Kozlowski, sr., Turkeyfoot
Kozlowski has been a double-double machine, racking up 14 in 23 games played for the Rams (15-8). He is second on the team with 316 points and leads the squad with 289 rebounds.
Bryce Nicholson, so., Turkeyfoot
Nicholson is having a breakout season. He has produced a team-high 362 points, 111 steals and 81 assists for the Rams.
Pace Prosser, jr., Berlin Brothersvalley
Prosser has racked up 528 points, surpassing 1,000 for his career, to lead the Mountaineers. He averages 24 points per game to go along with a team-high 7.5 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per contest.
Class 2A
Defending champion: Conemaugh Township
Favorite: Windber
Contenders: McConnellsburg, Conemaugh Township
Dark horse: North Star
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Outlook: McConnellsburg (21-3) is the top seed in the 2A playoffs while Windber (21-3) and Conemaugh Township (16-7) round out the top three spots.
Conemaugh Township is the two-time defending champ. However, Windber has already bested Conemaugh Township three times this season, including 38-31 in the WestPAC title game. The teams could meet again in the semifinals with a trip to the championship game on the line.
Windber beat McConnellsburg last season in the playoffs and very well could square off for a title.
Players to watch
Grady Klosky, so., Windber
The sophom*ore guard is leading the way for the Ramblers with 298 points and is second on the team with 71 steals and 61 assists. He has also pulled down 88 rebounds.
Will Latuch, sr., Rockwood
Latuch leads the way for the Rockets. He surpassed 1,000 career points this season. Rockwood (13-10) will need some contributions from Josiah Rock, Christian Schrock and Dalton Boden if the Rockets are going to pull off the upset against the Cougars.
Tanner Shirley, sr., Conemaugh Township
Shirley is tied for the team lead in points with 349 including 75 3-pointers. He also is first on the club with 88 assists and is second with 72 steals.
John Shuster, sr., Windber
Shuster's game has grown in his senior campaign. He is second on the team in scoring with 280 points and rebounds with 100. Shuster has also contributed 35 assists and 34 steals.
Jon Updyke, jr., Conemaugh Township
Updyke is tied for first on the team with 349 points. He has pulled down a team-high 194 rebounds and swiped 80 steals to go along with 77 assists, which is second most on the club.
Brady Weimer, jr., North Star
Weimer has been the driving force for the Cougars (13-9). He has notched 386 points including 71 3-pointers. He has also contributed 72 rebounds, 45 assists and 37 steals. Weimer has a great supporting cast including CJ Biery and Ethan Smith, who leads the team with 167 rebounds and 62 steals.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
