Penn Charter, Malvern Prep and Germantown Academy Victorious in Inter-Ac Triple Header
PHILADELPHIA, PA- If Philadelphia University's gymnasium floor had been a human being, it would have required an extremely long recovery in a local hospital.
There's no telling how many dribbles pounded off the pinewood Friday afternoon and evening, but it was definitely in the multiple thousands. That's not even mentioning the loose-ball dives and falls to the floor that represented the collective all-out effort by virtually every player on the court.
It was the annual Inter-Academic League season opener for all six teams, this year named after legendary local coach Dan Dougherty. They've been employing this tradition for 22 years, and although the venue has changed nine times, the names on the front of the uniforms have not.
"It's exciting," said Germantown Academy coach Jim Fenerty, whose program is a staggering 19-3 in league openers. "We've prepared ourselves for this by going up against some great non-league competition. But no matter how good the (non-league) teams are, there's definitely something different when you play against an Inter-Ac team."
Penn Charter and Episcopal Academy tipped off at 4:00. About 90 minutes later, Malvern took on Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Approximately 90 minutes after that, Germantown Academy faced Haverford School.
With about six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the final game, someone kiddingly asked the public address announcer and clock keeper if they were hoping for some overtime.
They both responded with a scowl; after all, they had been working for more than five hours. But for basketball zealots, more hoops would have welcomed. In fact, many players and coaches from different schools remained at Philly U until the very end.
And while no game offered any particular drama, excellent all-around competition from each of the six squads provided deserved homage for the oldest scholastic league in the country.
"The tradition is intense," said Haverford School coach Bernie Rogers, a former standout player and coach in the Catholic League. "It's an honor to be a part of something like this, just like it was being in the Catholic League. The intensity is the same and both leagues are well coached. I've been fortunate to be able to experience both leagues."
The day-night triple header resulted in a three-place tie for first place and a three-place tie for last. Here is how that occurred.
Penn Charter Coach Jim Phillips stratagizes late in 3rd quarter -photo John Knebels
In Penn Charter's 52-36 win over Episcopal, the victorious Quakers' 25-16 edge in the second and third quarters made the difference. Junior guard Adam Holland scored all 14 of his points in the second half while senior forward Harrison Williams did the same with his 10.
"We stayed around in the first quarter, and from that point on, we defended very well," said Penn Charter coach Jim Phillips, a 1990 Quakers alum. "We have a tendency to be offensively challenged, but this group is willing to defend.
"Everyone is willing to be 'the guy,' but it doesn't matter who, because they're selfless."
EA's Nick Alikakos takes a breather- Alikakos scored 7 of Episcopal's 8 points in 3rd quarter -photo John Knebels
Nick Alikakos kept the Churchmen (9-5 overall, 0-1 league) decently close. En route to 19 points, Alikakos scored seven of Episcopal's eight points in the third quarter to help trim its deficit to 31-21. But strong free-throw shooting (8 for 11) by Penn Charter (8-3, 1-0) sealed the victory.
"This was one of our worst performances all year," said Alikakos. "It was bad timing. Every game in the Inter-Ac matters so much."
Penn Charter's Mason Williams scores from inside -video by John Knebels
Penn Charter's Harrison Williams (20) who scored 10 points in 2nd quarter and Dylan Burnett (13) after 52-36 victory over Episcopal -photo John Knebels
Penn Charter celebrates by substituting early -video by John Knebels
Malvern's Will Powers shaking hands after win. Powers scored 18 points for the Friars -photo John Knebels
Malvern Prep started quickly and never let up in its 70-37 triumph over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (5-6, 0-1). The Friars (9-6, 1-0) staked themselves to a commanding 23-8 lead after one quarter, stretched it to 45-20 at halftime, and then to 62-30 after three, thus enabling Malvern coach John Harmatuk to rest his starters in the fourth quarter.
With 11 players reaching the scoring column, senior guard Will Powers' 18 and senior forward Mike Hollingsworth's 14 almost singlehandedly supplied enough ammunition to emerge victorious.
"The ways the guys battle in practice is awesome," said Malvern senior guard Mike Narzikul. "Our hard work reaps the benefits in the games."
Junior guard Zuri Peyton netted 15 and sophomore guard Charlie Trey-Masters added seven for the Blue Devils, an energetic, young squad comprised of five sophomores, five juniors, and one senior.
"They have some nice players," said Powers. "They played hard."
Malvern Prep's Will Powers summarizes the Friar's victory over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Malvern Prep's Mike Narzikul describes the mindset and goal of his team going onto the court
Haverford School huddles late in the first half -photo John Knebels
In what turned out to be the showcase's most riveting contest, Germantown Academy upended Haverford School, 60-50. A 16-7 second quarter spree by the Patriots (11-4, 1-0) overcame a terrific effort by the unintimidated Fords (5-7, 0-1), who refused to be intimidated by the teams' different records.
"We tried to throw the records out the window and battle every possession," said Rogers. "Minus that (second-quarter) run, we battled basket to basket.
"We try to tell the kids to take advantage of every opportunity."
While Haverford sophomore guard Kharon Randolph scored the most points of the tournament (24), Germantown Academy was better balanced behind senior forward Gabe Alter's 19, junior guard Kyle McCloskey's 18, and senior guard Devon Goodman's 16.
GA's Kyle McCloskey buries a short jumper -video by John Knebels
McCloskey lays in a basket to close out 2nd quarter -video by John Knebels
Though every Patriot was celebrating, the win - and his own individual performance - might have meant most to Alter. A series of injuries negated his sophomore and junior seasons, but Alter refused to give up or feel sorry for himself.
"You know that was most impressive about him?" said Fenerty, as the humble Alter smiled widely just a few inches away. "He never missed a practice. I can't say enough good things about this young man."
GA's Gabe Alter talks about what he has learned since recovering from serious injuries
GA's Gabe Alter scores 2 of his 19 points after grabbing a rebound -video by John Knebels
Alter said his determination never wavered.
"I appreciate the game more than ever," Alter said. "I'm enjoying every minute of it."
Coincidentally, that's what avid basketball fans probably said after witnessing three consecutive basketball games. Only an overtime, or two, or three, would have made it better.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
Haverford School's coaches meet before addressing their team in the locker room following a hard-fought loss to Germantown Academy.