From first-year head coaches to teams with new lineups, this season for the Schuylkill League has been quite interesting to say the least. On Saturday, the league playoffs held at Martz Hall in Pottsville will kick off with the quarterfinal round. Throughout this article, you will see the seeding, playoff schedule, and information about the teams and players participating in the tournament.
Division 1
- Minersville (13-1)
- Pottsville (12-2)
- Blue Mountain (10-4)
Division 2
- Tri-Valley (14-0)
- Schuylkill Haven (9-5)
- Nativity (8-6)
SCHEDULE (division – seed)
- Game One – 2/7/26 – 5:00pm – (1-2) Pottsville vs (2-3) Nativity
- Game Two – 2/7/26 – 6:30pm – (2-2) Schuylkill Haven vs (1-3) Blue Mountain
- Game Three – 2/11/26 – 6:00pm – (2-1) Tri-Valley vs Game One winner
- Game Four – 2/11/26 – 7:30pm – (1-1) Minersville vs Game Two winner
- Game Five – 2/13/26 – 7:30pm – Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner
TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
For Minersville, the Division One champions, they will have to rely on the skill and experience of Shazier Bethea. Bethea, along with Jordan Bowers and Chase Zimerofsky, will drive into the paint and aim to score layups, or kick the ball out for a three-point shot. The Miners also have several three-point shooters such as Nolan Plesnarski, Camden Rogers, Shane Fessler, and Jordan Bowers.
Shifting to the Division One runner-up, Pottsville, they have Christian Alvarez who is averaging 17.5 points per game. Alvarez is not just a three-point shooter, but he is another player who can also drive into the paint and score. The Crimson Tide also have size inside with Davey Kunstek.
The last team for this division is Blue Mountain who is making a return to the league playoffs after missing last season. The Eagles are all around a solid team with guys who dominate underneath, guys who can shoot deep, and other guys who can drive to the basket such as Tyeirre Meade.
Going over to the Division Two champion, Tri-Valley. They have dominated this division since the start of the season, finishing at a perfect 14-0 record. The Bulldogs are a speedy team that want to run the floor on offense and play aggressive defense. Both of those were on display in a 70-68 shootout loss to Minersville on Thursday.
The Division Two runner-up, Schuylkill Haven, have been led by Alan Evans this season. Defensively, they are not the best team but they know how to drive in and score, and when to shoot. If they want to beat Blue Mountain, they have to box out the Eagles and prevent them from coming in the paint.
The last team in this division is Nativity, and they found their way in the tournament at the last minute, defeating Lourdes 71-68 in overtime on Tuesday. Thanks to Weatherly defeating Williams Valley on Tuesday as well, that secured the playoff spot for Nativity. The tough Pottsville defense cannot let Trey Keating shoot the deep three-pointers he likes to take and makes. Keating is a player that if you let him get hot, he will be hot the whole game.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The Schuylkill League playoffs are always a fun and interesting tournament to be at. From being at Martz Hall to the student sections going at it the whole game, Schuylkill County basketball does not disappoint. Potential showdowns between players like Bethea, Keating, and Alvarez are why the league playoffs are special, because you get to see the best of the best at one venue and watch aggressive and hard played Coal Region basketball.
If you cannot make it to Martz Hall for the semifinal and championship games, be sure to tune into D11 Sports on YouTube and watch the games live. Follow me on X (@RobbieM_media) for coverage of the quarterfinal games all Saturday long.
