NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - It was the Conner Delaney Show. If you didn’t see it, find it somewhere.

   Although several of his teammates – particularly senior Matt Woods and junior Nick Alikakos –  delivered essential contributions, it was the performance of Delaney that propelled Episcopal Academy past visiting Malvern Prep, 60-58, in a Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 2) Inter-Academic League clash.

   “Different people need to step up at different times,” said the affable junior point guard. “I was glad to be a part of it.”

Delaney was much more than just a “part” of the victory. He scored 17 points. Dealt six assists. Made only one turnover (and even that was questionable). From the foul line, he shot 10 free throws and made nine. He played terrific defense.

   Statistics aside, Delaney engineered everything that happened on offense. He brought the ball up on virtually every possession. Avoided double teams. His assist total would have been much higher if Episcopal’s inside game had been more successful. Along the way, Delaney maintained a palpable calm despite Malvern’s penchant for aggressive defense and quick scoring.

    “I’m used to having the ball in my hands because it’s been that way since kindergarten and grade school,” said Delaney. “In high school I’ve watched other players and tried to learn from them. The key is to keep calm, especially against an up-tempo team like Malvern. You have to maintain your mental state and not get too high or too low.”

Asked to explain his sizzling free-throw marksmanship, Delaney smiled.

   “My dad pushed me to be the best I can be,” he said. “During the off-season, or when there is downtime during the season, like when there is no practice, and on Sundays, I work on my shooting. It helps me translate when we play actual games. Just stay calm and shoot.”

   Episcopal coach Craig Conlin labeled Delaney’s performance against Malvern as “tremendous” and said he was a “joy” to mentor. Conlin steadfastly asserted that Delaney should receive serious consideration for being the Inter-Ac’s Most Valuable Player.

   “He’s such an asset,” said Conlin. “He’s very steady. Very solid. Such an intelligent player.”

Woods’ efforts also proved huge. He scored eight of his season-high 16 points in a pivotal second quarter during which Episcopal outscored the Friars by 19-11, thus turning a 12-9 deficit into a 28-23 lead.

   Leading scorer Nick Alikakos uncharacteristically missed some layups and struggled from the free-throw line, yet he still led all scorers with 18 points.

   “We talked about how a good team finds out about itself when not playing their best,” said Conlin. “This was a good win against a good team.”

   Episcopal and Germantown Academy will face each other 7:30 Friday night at GA in what very well might be considered a league championship. Both teams have one league loss. Episcopal (15-5 overall, 6-1 league) has two other games remaining after that – at home and away vs. Springside-Chestnut Hill – while Germantown Academy (7-1 league) has a rugged challenge at Malvern Prep in its season finale.   

Considering that they lost their league opener to Penn Charter, it is somewhat startling that the Churchmen control their own destiny as they attempt to seize their first league title since 2006.

   “I’m proud of how they responded,” said Conlin. “I look at the toughness and grit in our first game against Germantown Academy (a 58-56 home win on January 19), and how we have dealt with so many teachable moments.”

   Conlin compared this year’s Inter-Ac with a 10-round heavyweight boxing match.

   “When you drop a round,” he said, “you have to put it behind you and fight the next one.”

 Notes: Malvern fell to 13-10 overall and 5-3 in the Inter-Ac . . . The Friars normally bury a multitude of three-point field goals, but they converted only two overall, both in the second half . . . Senior Will Powers led Malvern with 16 points. Junior Tommy Wolfe added 11. Teammates O’Shaan Alison (sophomore) and Mike Hollingsworth (senior) combined for 13 points.

John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.