WYNNEWOOD, PA--It’s been four years since the Westtown boy’s basketball team won their last Friends School League championship.

That could very well end this February. 

Westtown has blown through their league competition so far, as they most recently traveled to Friends' Central on Thur., Jan. 15 and beat the Phoenix, 71-40, to improve to 4-0 against conference teams. 

The Westtown head coach has been able to run a deep squad, playing as many as 10 players throughout the duration of the game. This very well could be the difference between Westtown and their opponents: the fact that they do not drop off that much with their second unit, in addition to the fact that their second five could be most teams’ starting five. 

“I think what is different about this team, with this many kids that can play, we’re able to play a full court defensive pressure and wear teams down,” Westtown head coach Seth Berger said. “So, while we might be in a game in the first or second quarter, by the middle of the third quarter, the other team is tired, and our depth really comes to light.”

To talk about Westtown’s depth… They are playing 10 guys consistently. A.J. Stewart, Wilson Udo, and Marshall Bailey are all guards who just have to start. They all can score, shoot, and defend at a high level. Chike Oli gives Westtown some height to go with their guard-heavy lineups, as the 6’9 junior protects the rim, grabs rebounds, and provides Westtown with scoring under the basket. Closing out Westtown’s starters, Archbishop Wood transfer Rowan Phillips plays the wing position perfectly, providing a midrange offense that can step back behind the arc as well. 

And when the first five go to the bench, Westtown opponents are not catching a break. Peace Brand is a big who can confidently hit shots behind the three-point line. The Ehigie brothers, Eb and Declan, defend at a high rate. Victor Lagerkvist is a 6’5 lefty from Sweden who is not afraid to use his body to drive through the paint. Adam Walker is a 6’11 senior, committed to Purdue Fort Wayne, and another player on Westtown who creates defensive obstacles for opposing teams when they are on offense, while being able to play above the rim on offense, often creating mismatches. 

There is a common pattern – everyone who gets on the court at Westtown plays defense. And that’s what makes it hard to beat this Westtown team. They defend like crazy. In their four league games so far, they have given up an average of 47 points, while scoring 67 themselves.

“With our team, they don’t need any help on offense," Berger said. “We told them all year, if they take the position that they are going to be a great defensive team, we can beat anyone we play. I think this team’s defense is a whole different level.”

Westtown’s depth has been fully on display so far this season. They kicked off league play with a commanding 17-point win against defending league champion Academy of the New Church. They squeaked by George School on the road, and then beat Shipley by 26. Friends' Central was their fourth victim. 

Brand helped separate Westtown at halftime, as they led by 12 at the half. Brand recorded nine points in the first 16 minutes, all coming in the second quarter. Bailey added eight, while Phillips and Udo made three baskets each, combining for 12 points. 

As Berger mentioned about the team’s identity, the depth helped in the third, and Westtown outscored Friends Central, 18-7, giving them a 23 point lead heading into the final eight minutes. 

“Definelty a talented team,” Bailey said. “We had to practice a day before to prep for this game because we know what they’re capable of and we did not let them get easy shots and guard each person.”

Bailey drilled four three-pointers in the fourth quarter for 20 points, while Phillips finished with 10, Udo with 14, and Brand with 14. Four players recorded a three-pointer, and eight players recorded at least two points. 

“We have two of the top scorers in the state and probably the best shooter I’ve ever played with,” Udo said. “AJ Stewart and Rowan Phillips getting to the rim is automatic, and [Bailey] from three, it’s just going in all the time,” Udo said. 

For Bailey, it is a balanced team that has allowed Westtown to have the early success that they’ve had. 

“I think we have each piece,” Bailey said. “Great point guard, two great scorers, great shooting, and we have a great big as well. And we also have a lot of great pieces off the bench for role players, and we all rotate on defense and play really well.”

Westtown only gave up 17 points in the second half, and held Friends' Central’s top scorer Patrese Feamster to 12 points on 11 shots. Westtown held Friends Central to 30 percent shooting inside the arc and 30 percent shooting  from beyond the arc. In comparison, Westtown shot 61 percent from the field, and 42 percent from three.

“It’s a brotherhood,” Udo said. “Everyone is together all the time, everyone loves each other. Everyone wants to see each other do well. And I think that’s the biggest point this year; that everyone eats.”