Lost in all the excitement created by three state champions in fall sports last year, the Northwestern Lehigh boys basketball program made its own history last winter by winning the program’s first league championship since 2001.
The Tigers again have to wait for the football season to end before they can begin their own title defense. Once everybody is in place, they figure to be formidable.
Meanwhile, the four other teams in the Colonial League’s West Division are optimistic and looking to make their own title run. Jim Thorpe and Lehighton are in their second seasons as league members and figure to be more accustomed to what the league is all about, and former Northern Lehigh star Jake Waylen is now in charge at his alma mater and is hopeful he can bring back the Bulldogs to a place of prominence. The same is true of Joe Egan, who is in his second full season in charge at Palmerton.
Here’s a closer look at the five teams:
4 players to watch
Northern Lehigh’s Kellen Bauer: He was one of the area’s top scorers as a sophomore last year at 18.8 points per game.
Northwestern Lehigh’s Mason Bollinger: After the Tigers gradated their three top scorers from last year, Bollinger, who averaged 7.8 last season, figures to play a key role. He had 12 in the league title game against Catty.
Lehighton’s Cole Dietz: Another of the area’s and league’s best players last year, Dietz averaged 16.2 points per game and was a top 3-point shooter with 82 treys.
Palmerton’s Cameron Pengelly: A multi-talented athlete, Pengelly averaged 8.9 points per game and made 17 3-pointers last season.
3 questions to answer
(1) How quickly will Northwestern Lehigh come together when its football guys return?
(2) Lehighton figures to be able to score with Cole Dietz and Blake Roberts leading the way but can the Indians get enough stops after allowing more than 54 points per game last season?
(3) Can new coach Jake Waylen build around Bauer and create some excitement with the Bulldogs, who have gone through several coaches and scuffled in recent seasons.
2 league openers to see Tuesday night
Palmerton at Lehighton
Jim Thorpe at Notre Dame-Green Pond
1 man’s opinion
Predicted order of finish: 1. Lehighton; 2. Northwestern Lehigh; 3. Northern Lehigh; 4. Palmerton; 5. Jim Thorpe.
Jim Thorpe
Coach: Brian O’Donnell (2nd season)
Last season: 5-17, 4-14 Colonial League, (tied for fourth in West)
Players to watch: Pierce Gothard (6-1, Sr. G); Brody Schrantz (6-2, Jr. G-F); Cole Lazorick (6-0, Sr. G-F); Ethan Moore (6-1, Sr. F); Caiden Hodor (6-0, Sr. G); Anthony Kiehl (5-11, So. G); Blaze Flyzik (5-9, So. G); Michael Antignani (5-9, Sr. G-F).
Outlook: In their second season in the league, the Olympians feature an experienced squad. “Our biggest goal coming into this year is learning how to finish games and come away with wins,” O’Donnell said. “We finished last year 5-17, but had a few games slip away with lost leads late. We played much better basketball in the second half of the season than the box scores show, so we’re hoping to turn that play into some wins early on this season.” The Olympians have a good mix of upperclassmen and youth. Seniors Gothard, Lazorick, Moore, Hodor, and Antignani as well as Schrantz, a junior, will play big roles as veteran leaders. Pierce and Brody will be counted on to do a lot of the scoring, while Lazorick, Mootre and Antignani will be more of the grinders counted on for rebounding and defense. Sophomores Kiehl and Flyzik will have increased roles. Senior Jadon Reese, sophomores Spencer Gothard and Tyler Hoherchak, and freshmen Bobby Levins, Bryce McElmoyle, and Camani Clarke round out the roster. “We’re hoping to get back into the district playoff mix this year and potentially compete in the Colonial League playoffs as well,” O’Donnell said.
Lehighton
Coach: Trevor Miller (ninth season)
Last season: 17-9, 12-6 Colonial League (second in West)
Postseason: Lost to Bangor 61-57 in league quarterfinal. Beat Wilson 50-26 in a District 11 4A quarterfinal, lost to Northwestern Lehigh 52-36 in the semifinals. and to Saucon Valley 46-44 in the consolation game.
Players to watch: Cole Dietz (6-3, Sr. G) 16.2 ppg, 82 3s; Blake Roberts (6-2, Sr. F) 10.6 ppg, 17 3s; Caden Meek (6-1, Sr. F); Talin Fairchild (6-2, Sr. G) 6.0 ppg, 39 3s; Aiden Solt (5-11, Sr. G);; Tommy Blair (6-0, Jr. G); Cash White (6-1, So. F); Aiden McCarroll (5-8, Fr. G).
Outlook: The Indians return two of their top three scorers from a 17-win team. It’s a team that will shoot 3-pointers at a high rate. Miller said it’s a senior-laden team, but will mix in some younger players like freshman Aiden McCarroll to run the point guard position for a team that averaged 62.2 ppg last year. Dietz needs 33 points to reach 1,000 career points. It’s a team with enough talent to compete for league and district playoff berths.
Northern Lehigh junior Kellen Bauer figures to be one of the league’s top players in the 2025-26 season. (Contributed photo / Theresa Bauer)
Northern Lehigh
Coach: Jake Waylen (first season)
Last season: 4-19, 4-14 Colonial League (tied for fourth in West)
Postseason: Lost to Notre Dame-Green Pond 89-61 in the District 11 3 quarterfinals
Players to watch: Kellen Bauer (6-4, Jr. G); Colin Karetsky (6-2, Jr. F); Coy Daubert (6-2, Sr. G-F); Chayce LoPinto (6-3, Sr. F); Michael Bauer (5-8, Fr. G); Parker Schaffer (6-1, Jr. F)
Outlook: Jake Waylen, a 2008 graduate who won two league championships and a district crown as a player, returns to the program as head coach and says, “We are setting the bar high. We worked hard this offseason, in the gym, the weight room, and in the Whitehall summer league.” Waylen believes that his squad is ready for the challenges ahead. “We have a lot to prove, but I know my guys will battle every night. I’m confident in our ability to compete with the best of the Colonial League.” Junior guard Bauer, who averaged 18.78 ppg last season, figures to be one of the league’s top players. He will be joined by his younger brother, freshman point guard, Michael Bauer. “We have a talented core group,” Waylen said, “and they are unselfish. Each guy knows how important their contributions are to the team’s success. I can’t wait to see this team reach its full potential.”
Northwestern Lehigh
Coach: Patrick Wanamaker (third season at Northwestern Lehigh, sixth overall)
Last season: 24-4 overall, 17-1 Colonial League (first in West)
Postseason: In league tournament, beat Wilson 66-62 in quarterfinals, Saucon Valley 55-47 in semis, and Catasauqua in the league finals. In the District 11 4A tourney, beat Lehighton 52-36 in the semifinals, lost to Allentown Central Catholic 68-57 in the district finals. In the PIAA 4A tourney, lost to Scranton Prep in 75-48.
Players to watch: Mason Bollinger (6-3, Sr. F); Brady Krimmel (6-0, Jr. G); Cannon Fitch (5-11, Sr. G), Brady Zimmerman (5-9, Jr. G), Malachi Coleman (6-2, Sr. G/F)
Outlook: Wanamaker finds himself in familiar territory, waiting for some football players to wrap up their season and jump over to the hardwood. But as in previous years, the Tigers will continue to work hard and prepare for the season while they wait for the football players. “Many of our athletes have grown accustomed to waiting for fall sports guys and the process that comes with that,” Wanamaker said. “They know exactly what they need to do to be ready for the start of basketball season.” The Tigers played a lot of basketball in the offseason so they are hoping for another smooth transition once the team is all together. “We are coming off of a really great season, a historic one as far as Northwestern boys basketball goes, and return a lot of great kids with varsity experience to hopefully pick up where we left off last year.” Again, the Tigers will look to play an uptempo style and rotate many players throughout the lineup each game. Growth throughout the season will be important to have them playing their best in late January. “We will work day in and day out to get better,” Wanamaker said.
Palmerton
Coach: Joe Egan (second season)
Last season: 8-14, 7-11 Colonial League (third in West)
Players to watch: Cameron Pengelly (6-1, Sr. F), Brady Reph (6-2, Sr. F), Beau Stahler (6-1, Sr. F), Kurt Jedrzejczyk (6-0, Sr. G/F), Jared Grammes (5-10, Jr. G), Braylen Delgado (5-9, Jr. G), Gaige McGowan (6-1, Jr. G/F), Tate Buck (6-3, Fr. G)
Outlook: The Blue Bombers come into the season following an offseason dedicated to intensity, pace of play, and shooting. They are led by a strong core of returning players, who, according to Egan, embrace a “strength in numbers” identity with multiple athletes capable of contributing at a high level on any given night. While the absence of standout center Logan Anthony will be felt, the team is determined to turn that challenge into an opportunity for returning players to step up. With a focus on finishing games and executing under pressure, the goals remain the same: qualify for the league and district tournaments and position the program to compete for a title.
