Bensalem senior Jacob Eberhardt came off the bench last season, but could be the Owls most experienced varsity player this season (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL).
“The goal is to compete for a league title, make districts and then take it to the next level and get into states,” Devine said. “Whether that happens this year or not, we have a lot of work to do but I feel good about the kids. Right now it’s about mastering the daily goals and making habits consistent.”
While this might be a season of transition for Bensalem, the Owls are used to success.
Former head coach Ron Morris led the Owls to four division titles, three state playoff appearances and a 96-60 record over the past six seasons before stepping down in March so he could watch his kids play basketball in high school and college.
Devine can relate. After 10 seasons at Neshaminy and six seasons at his alma mater Bristol, the longtime head coach spent the last two seasons away from the bench because two of his daughters had gotten really into basketball.
“Then one fell in love with singing and one fell in love with softball,” he said with a laugh.
While Bensalem is a bigger school than Bristol, Devine said he always felt there were similarities between the two communities and how they treated athletics. He also knew and respected Morris, former Owls head coach John Mullin and current Bensalem athletic director Geoff Per from his many years in the local basketball community.
He attended some Owls games last season and was drawn to a quote Morris put on the team’s warmup shirts: “Tradition never graduates.”
“Bensalem always felt like the big brother to Bristol,” Devine said. “The kids always come back to the program after they graduate and rally around the team. They play hard for each other and the administrations are really supportive. Bensalem has been successful over the years so a plethora of things like that drew me to a school that’s one of the biggest in the SOL.”
Tradition might not graduate at Bensalem, but most of last year’s starting lineup did. That includes point guard and SOL Player of the Year Amir Drummond, who averaged a shade under 20 points per game. Guard Christian Lee and forwards Jaidyn Moffit and Jahmir Chatman also graduated after standout careers.
Senior guard Aidan Mayfield was set to be the team’s top returner, but the star running back is undecided on playing basketball this season after committing to Lehigh for football, according to Devine.
Senior guard Jacob Eberhardt was a reserve last season, but will be the Owls’ only returning varsity contributor this season if Mayfield doesn’t return. Devine described Eberhardt as a “downhill offensive player and a hard-nosed defender.”
“Things are a lot different, but having pretty much a whole new team has helped with the transition,” Eberhardt said. “We have talent, and it’s surprising how good some of the young guys are doing. I’m just trying to push the (newcomers) to be better and show them you need to have the right attitude on defense. (Devine) is a tough coach, but we like him a lot.”
Devine is very high on sophomore J.J. Bourelly, a “relentless” 5-foot-11 point guard with a “phenomenal work ethic” who can handle the ball and attack the rim. The veteran coach has also been impressed with 6-foot-3 sophomore small forward Naman Parmar, who is working on adding weight to his lanky frame but can shoot from the outside.
Eberhardt pointed out sophomores Juel Nimely and Julian Vose as two other players who’ve also stood out this offseason.
The Owls are also learning a brand new system ⸺ which has been both a challenge for a young team and a blessing in disguise for a group that’s new to the varsity level anyway. While Morris ran a dribble-drive offense that highlighted the talents of guards like Drummond, Devine plans to run a full-court press and screen-and-roll offense that will focus on ball movement.
Devine acknowledged there have been some growing pains, but credited the players for buying into his plan. He has kept JV coach Chris Fead on his staff to give the program some continuity and familiarity.
“We’re picking stuff up, but it’s just a matter of getting game experience,” Devine said. “We’re really trying to help them understand certain situations. Everything will look better once we get the fundamentals down.”
It could be any team’s title in the SOL Patriot this season, with Pennsbury and Council Rock South both breaking in a lot of new starters after posting winning records last year. Devine knows his team is inexperienced, but the 52-year-old hopes this season is a continuation of Bensalem’s success and the start of a special run for the program’s underclassmen.
“I have a senior in college, two kids in high school and a fifth grader. I’m not talking about retirement,” he said with a laugh. “If we want to win championships, we have to start by doing the little things every day.”