City of Basketball Love

By Dan Arkans (@danarkans)
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(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2024-25 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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Year one under Holy Ghost boys basketball coach Tom Heston felt like it just ended prematurely.

The Firebirds started off the season 3-8, but won nine of their final 11 games.

Unfortunately, one of those losses came in the District 1 5A Tournament with a 79-76 overtime heartbreaker to Upper Moreland in the opening round.

“We were on a good trajectory,” Heston said. “District playoff game was an awesome game. We were up four with a minute left. We just needed to be able to finish. With it ending so quickly, it gave us a focus on this season.”

With nine of the top 10 leading scorers back from last season, a 12-10 record won’t be satisfactory this season. The Firebirds will continue to be led by senior slashing guard 6-foot-2 Adrian Varella, who was a third team All-State performer from a year ago. Varella averaged 20.5 points per game last season.

“I’m the guy,” said Varella of his role this season. “They look up to me. I just gotta be there so we can execute.”

Varella should have plenty of help in the scoring column. Senior wing Robbie Segarich is a perfect complement to Varella with his versatile game. Segarich stood out during Philly Live and figures to play a prominent role this season.

“We have the team to make a run at the state tournament,” Heston said.

Joining that duo in the backcourt is 6-foot senior guard Zak Sharlin, who has received D-III roster spot offers from Maine Maritime and Hartwick so far. The ball will be in Sharlin’s hands plenty this season. Complementing that trio inside will be 6-foot-8 senior center Tommy Nahill. All four of those returners are getting D-III looks.

“Nahill is about 6-8 and gets downhill offensively,” Heston said. “He is stronger than most. He can get through contact. He has a well-rounded game.”

The fifth spot is up for grabs with a team that goes 10 deep. The Firebirds are looking to run at every opportunity and have their aggressive defense helping in that matter. Depth will help in this regard.

“The first three off the bench, they know their role and what they have to do to contribute to the team,” Varella said.

That depth will be tested right off the bat with CB South, Carver Engineering and Science, Bensalem and La Salle to tip off the season.

“It’s been nice since we left the BAL,” Heston said. “It gives us the flexibility to schedule more competitive teams. It gets us ready for the season.”

The goal of the District 1-5A playoffs and PIAA Tournament is several months away, which makes scheduling and keeping their focus the biggest obstacles for independent Holy Ghost.

“One of the downsides is you don’t have rivalry games where stakes are high,”Heston said. “Our biggest rivalry is Neshaminy, Bensalem, Pennsbury. For them we are not a league game. You want the intensity of a district playoff game or a league playoff game. It’s a tricky balance. We have to go through their league games to schedule our game. I think we have a good balance of teams. Some of these games will let us know where we stand.”

After getting through the regular-season schedule, the goal will be to peak come playoff time. The last regular season game is Feb. 1st against CR South, which gives the Firebirds some time to get ready for the playoffs.

“I would say we want to be playing in the state tournament,” Heston said. “We just want to make sure we are playing in March.”

With a solid senior group and more comfort in Heston’s system, the Firebirds are well on their way to reach some lofty goals.

“I feel like we can go all the way,” Varella said. “We didn’t lose any key players from last year.”