Trio of area boys players receive all-state honors

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette
Correspondent
North Penn-Mansfield’s Karson Dominick was one of three area players to receive all-state honors in boys basketball, doing so in Class AAA. Others were Noah Confer of Muncy (Class AA) and Brody Pentz of Bucktail (Class A).

North Penn-Mansfield senior Karson Dominick exceeded lofty expectations placed upon him before he reached high school. Muncy senior Noah Confer kept storming back from injuries and showed the state what he could do. Bucktail junior Brody Pentz proved small towns can produce big-time players.

And now all three are on the same elite team.

Dominick, Confer and Pentz have been named to the Pennsylvania Sprotswriters’ All-State Basketball teams. Dominick earned first team Class AAA, Confer second team Class AA and Pentz third team Class A.

Dominick repeated as an all-state honoree after earning second team a year ago. He seemed an easy first team selection this year after producing one of the best individual seasons at North Penn-Mansfield since the legendary Tom McMillen played there.

A four-year starter, Dominick overcame constant double teaming and led the area in scoring, averaging 24.9 points per game. He also topped 20 points 22 times in 25 games, while scoring at least 19 in his last 23, helping a young team hit by injuries finish 17-8.

A match-up nightmare, Dominick could score outside, attack the basket or set up his teammates. He filled up the stat sheet each game, producing 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He is second on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,810 points and might have reached 2,000 if not for a freshman season shortened by the pandemic. Headed for Lock Haven next fall, Dominick also closed his career with 602 rebounds, 207 assists, 112 steals and 132 3-pointers.

“I would like to thank my family and all the amazing people in our great community for supporting me,” Dominick said. “This is a great honor and I would like to give a shout out to all my coaches for always staying after practice and helping me become the best athlete possible, and I would like to thank my teammates for pushing me.”

Confer helped push a young Muncy team to a second straight District 4 Class AA championship. The only player returning with significant varsity experience, Confer raised his game to another level and developed into an excellent all-around player, as we well as a leader.

A three-year starter, Confer averaged 16.7 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while collecting 13 double-doubles. His impact on and off the court helped Muncy win its first league title since 2004, as well as another district title and 20 games.

All this, after breaking his arm during the football season and missing all but one quarter before returning for the district final. Confer suffered an avulsion fracture late in the regular season but again fought back and dominated throughout the postseason, producing double-doubles in all four games. He was at his best in a dramatic district final win against Neumann, generating a triple-double of 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals.

“Injuries, obviously, ruined my football seasons, so I never was really able to show off my talent in football, and going into basketball I just wanted to prove to people that I was a better athlete than what everyone was seeing,” Confer said. “I never really was able to showcase what I was capable of until this year because there were so many athletes in front of me, but I never really complained and it didn’t bother me. It was fun to finally prove myself.”

Confer was instrumental to Muncy reaching three straight district finals, winning two and finishing with 19 or more wins in each of the past three seasons. He was a defensive factor as well, averaging 3.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Like Dominick and Confer, Pentz was a glue-like player who did a bit of everything to help his team flourish. The versatile junior shoots and handles the ball like a guard, while possessing the strength and tenacity of a post player. Pentz tied for the district lead in double-doubles, totaling 17 while helping Bucktail win its first District 4 championship and its first overall since 1989 when the school was in District 6.

Pentz also shared the big-game gene which his all-state teammates possessed and dominated in the district final, scoring a career-high 34 points while adding 10 rebounds in a comeback win against Galeton. Pentz also topped 1,000 career points that night. A centerpiece for both the basketball and football teams, Pentz closed his season averaging 15.8 points and more than 10 rebounds per game.