<body><div>Jeff Griffith(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 2026-27 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)~~~For a program that spent two years dominating its league and making deep postseason runs, the last two seasons have been a little different at Dock Mennonite.From 2022-24, the Pioneers were among the most successful small-school programs in District 1, compiling a combined 53-7 record, going a perfect 30-0 in Bicentennial Athletic League play and winning back-to-back District 1 Class 2A championships. Both seasons ended in the PIAA quarterfinals.The two years since haven't quite lived up to that standard.Dock went 19-8 in 2024-25, falling in the BAL semifinals, district championship and opening round of states. Last winter was even tougher, as injuries, transfers and an inexperienced roster contributed to a 12-13 campaign that ended with a two-point loss to Chester Charter Scholars Academy in the first round of districts.But if the Pioneers' recent struggles have taught them anything, it's that they might not be as far away from returning to their winning ways as their record suggests.And with a more experienced group returning to the court this winter, there's plenty of optimism that Dock can take a step back toward the top.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2U6xYF_1GxJai2e00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2U6xYF_1GxJai2e00" width="1280" height="840" ></figure>"We want to win the BAL league, we want to win districts, we want to get to states," junior Timmy Weir said. "We want that success that Dock once had because we've had some down years now, but we're looking to bring it back."For longtime head coach Mike Fergus, who's entering his 50th year coaching basketball and 13th at Dock, there's reason to believe his group is capable of doing just that.The Pioneers weren't necessarily a bad team last season, particularly down the stretch. After Dec. 23, Dock went 9-7, with six of those seven losses coming by five points or fewer. Both of its postseason defeats, in the BAL and district tournaments, came by just two points.A few possessions here or there could have made for a much different season.Instead, Dock enters this winter with a group that's experienced its share of close losses, but also has the pieces to turn some of those results around."Last year we went through some tough times," Fergus said. "We had some transfers, we had a bunch of injuries. It was just a year where we were really young at key positions. We are one year older, kids all got experience, we've got some new kids, and I would hope that we will be a much better team in February and March than we are in December."At the center of those expectations is Weir (6-4), who emerged as Dock's top offensive weapon during his sophomore season.Weir averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game last winter, earning first team All-BAL honors despite being one of the younger players in the Pioneers' rotation. Now a junior, he's expected to take on an even larger role as the focal point of Dock's offense."Our number one returning player is a junior named Timmy Weir," Fergus said. "He is the offensive key to our team, and we are expecting big things from him, and he is only a junior, so that was as a sophomore when he got 15 a game."Weir understands that responsibility, though he isn't looking to make the upcoming season all about himself."Coach told me I got to score the ball," he said. "That's what I started doing last season. I just got to carry that on to next season and just help the team in any way I need to."While Weir will draw plenty of attention from opposing defenses, Fergus is hoping a deeper, healthier supporting cast can take some of the pressure off his leading scorer.Perhaps the most intriguing addition isn't a newcomer at all.Senior Markos Burleigh (6-4) missed the entirety of last season after suffering a significant knee injury, leaving Dock without one of its more athletic and versatile players. Fergus described Burleigh as a tremendous defender who can also contribute offensively, and believes his return could provide a major boost.Burleigh isn't quite back to full strength yet, according to Fergus, but has made significant progress through rehabilitation and should continue improving as the season progresses."He is potentially very good, and he needed experience last year and unfortunately didn't get it, so it's unknown how good he can be," Fergus said.Another important piece is senior Evan Eraydin (6-1), a transfer from Souderton who's already made a strong impression on his new teammates.Fergus praised Eraydin's toughness, defense and shooting ability, while Weir pointed to the newcomer's immediate chemistry with the rest of the roster.“Yeah, he fits, he's perfect for our team," Weir said. "He plays aggressive defense, he can really pass, really shoot, and as soon as he came in we all merged well with him on a personal level."The Pioneers also return senior Ethan Kratz (6-3), who started several games before an injury cut into his season. A physical presence and one of Dock's most respected leaders, Kratz is someone Fergus expects to help establish the team's identity both on and off the floor."Ethan Kratz is a born leader," Fergus said. "He is just tremendous."Kratz is joined by juniors LJ Swoyer (6-0) and Luke Wilkinson (6-1), both of whom gained valuable starting experience last winter.Swoyer started the majority of Dock's games at point guard, providing ball-handling and defensive ability, while Wilkinson brings a versatile offensive game and passing ability. With the departure of last year's point guard, Weir said Wilkinson is stepping into that role this season.There's also sophomore Tyler Sparkevicius (6-7), who could give Dock a much-needed presence in the frontcourt after the graduation of two big men.Fergus described Sparkevicius as a mobile big man with a strong shooting touch who made considerable strides over the summer. While he still needs to develop physically and gain experience, his potential has the coaching staff excited.Senior Marcus Thompson (6-1) and Keith Dunn (6-4) round out the group of nine players Fergus expects to rely on, with Thompson providing toughness and depth and Dunn adding another mobile option in the post.It's a group that Fergus believes can get back to playing the kind of basketball that's long defined his program.That starts on the defensive end."We always hang our hat on defense," Fergus said. "We are old school, full-court man-to-man. We get on the floor, we take charges, we are aggressive in-your-face defense, and that has never changed."The bigger question, Fergus acknowledged, will be finding consistent offensive production beyond Weir. Dock has struggled with streaky scoring at times, and the Pioneers will need their supporting cast to contribute regularly if they hope to turn close games into wins.But with a healthy roster, several experienced returners and a group that appears to have bought into playing together, there's optimism that the pieces are coming into place."We have a really good group of kids that are really hard-working, real tight-knit, and real coachable," Fergus said. "We have a mix of experience and youthful experience, so we shall see, but we are all very optimistic."</div></body>

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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 2026-27 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

Prepping for Preps '26-27: Dock Mennonite (Boys)

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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 o

Prepping for Preps '26-27: Dock Mennonite (Boys)

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