Exeter 6'4 point guard Kevin Saenz

Exeter is coming off a historic season.  The (27-7) Eagles won their first District 3 championship and reached the state final for the first time since 1974.  "I'll probably remember that for the rest of my life," Kevin Saenz told SV Sports' Paul Roberts.  Saenz has a new head coach and a new position for the 2023-24 campaign.  Jeff VanGorder takes over for Matt Ashcroft who stepped down after four years in Reiffton.  "Everybody is getting used to their new roles. It's great energy with the new coach," said Saenz.  Ashcroft was named the Class 5A Coach of the Year in Pennsylvania last season.  Saenz will take over the point guard duties after Zyion Paschall graduated.  Paschall was a third team All-State selection who averaged 10 points per game.  Saenz mentioned that they stayed in touch over the summer and Paschall gave him some tips.  Exeter will also miss 6'6, 280-pound center Anthony Caccese.  The second team All-State pick is playing football at Delaware.  Rebounding is going to be a point of emphasis for the Eagles this year.  "We relied on him so much that we didn't realize how bad we were without him. All five guys have to box out on every shot attempt," emphasized Saenz.  The versatile 6'4 senior provided 11 ppg. and hit 39 three-pointers a season ago.  He erupted for 19 points in a 75-72 overtime victory versus Peters Township in the PIAA-5A quarterfinals.  Saenz had a career-high 21 points in an early season loss to Berks Catholic.  Exeter bounced back and finished one game ahead of the Saints for the Division 2 title in the Berks Conference.  Reece Garvin, Alex Kelsey, and sophomore Aidan Dauble all return.  Kelsey is committed to St. Joseph's for baseball.  Garvin, a 6'4 senior, knocked down a team-high 50 treys.  Saenz and Garvin were voted to the all-division team.  The Eagles reached the BCIAA Championship, but fell to Reading 70-63 at Santander Arena.  Exeter hasn't won a county title since 1974.  "Every day we talk about the county chip. It's gonna be 50 years so that would be a nice mark to hit it on," replied Saenz.