By Peter Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
There was talk that the Pennsbury Falcons wouldn't be able to match triumphs of previous seasons.
After a 16-1 start, that talk has quieted.
Players like current Temple University center Lavoy Allen are not easy to replace, but Pennsbury has managed to sustain similar success this season under head coach Frank Sciolla. Off to a near perfect start, the Falcons have taken some people by surprise after graduating several key players from a year ago.
Critics claimed that this year's version of the Pennsbury Falcons would be weaker, but it has been teamwork that has allowed them to perform above expectations.
"We have done a really good job of playing together. We have defended well as a team," Sciolla said.
The Falcons have breezed through league play thus far, winning all nine contests. Pennsbury has done more than just win games, they have dominated. Through those nine Suburban One-National League games, Pennsbury has outscored opponents by 21 points a game.
Pennsbury has not only been great during conference play, they have several impressive out-of-conference wins. The Falcons defeated perennial Pennsylvania powerhouse Lower Merion by 18 points. They also beat New Jersey's Linden Tigers, who boast several Division I-caliber players, and are one of the best basketball teams in the Garden State.
Pennsbury's only loss came at the hands of Putnam City (Okla.) in overtime at the Bay Ball Classic in Delaware.
Pennsbury wouldn't be on this great run without its star, Dalton Pepper. The junior is considered one of the best players in the entire 2009 class. He has garnered interest from schools in the Big East, Big 12, and ACC.
"[Dalton Pepper] is one of those kids that is very competitive. He has a high basketball IQ," Sciolla said. "He can play above or below the rim. He has a lot of big game qualities."
Right now, Pepper is waiting until after he takes the SATs for the first time this month. Once he gets the scores he is looking for, he will take a more serious approach to looking at schools. He has no real favorites at the moment.
Pennsbury depends on more than just one player, though. Senior Marcus Healey is shooting an unbelievable 53 percent from three-point range. Healey's offense is pivotal for Pennsbury, because he is able to open things up for Pepper. Sophomore Jesse Krasna is a point guard and floor leader that puts the team first. Dante Devine has great athleticism and is a good shooter.
Pennsbury faces Pennridge on Friday night, and will head to Manhattan this weekend for the Big Apple Classic, where they will go up against Wadleigh (N.Y.).
Pennsbury is currently ranked No. 4 in Pennsylvania by MaxPreps.
