INTER-AC BOYS’ BASKETBALL

   If a team hopes to seize an outright boys’ Inter-Academic League basketball championship, it simply cannot lose more than one of its 10 games. Lose more than two? Forget about it.

   Consider: Since the esteemed league commenced in 1924, there have been exactly three seasons – 1951, 1953, and 1969 – in which three losses resulted in a title. Even more telling, since 1996, the league champ has gone either undefeated or lost only once. 

   Germantown Academy is the king of champs, having captured the past four crowns and 10 of the past 17. Malvern Prep’s last celebrated with consecutive championships in 2011 and 2012. Episcopal Academy achieved similar results in both 2005 and 2006; Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy last won in 2010; Penn Charter garnered gold in 2003 and 2004; Haverford School finished on top in 1999.

   Looking at the 2017 season at the one-third point, Haverford School stunned the field by racing out to a 3-0 start. “Stunned” because there is not a single player on coach Bernie Rogers’ roster older than a junior.

   Highlighted by a 49-41 win over Germantown Academy in the Inter-Ac opener at Philadelphia University, the Fords have been led by junior guard Kharon Randolph (18 points per game), sophomore guard Christian Ray (14.7 ppg), and sophomore guard Jameer Nelson (huge nine points versus GA). 

   Germantown Academy relies on 6-5 senior guard Evan-Eric Longino (19.7 ppg) and 6-5 senior forward – and 1000-point career scorer – Kyle McCloskey (18.7). 

   Episcopal Academy was without last year’s scoring champion, 6-7 forward Nick Alikakos, until his injured leg healed in time to score eight immense points in a thrilling 82-81 overtime victory over Malvern Prep. With senior guard Conner Delaney and sophomore guard Matt Dade both averaging 17.3 ppg, and senior forward Kyle Virbitsky at 12.3 ppg, the Churchmen are a dangerous crew.

The freshman-senior duo of guards Deuce Turner (21.7 ppg) and Tommy Wolfe (10.7) helped Malvern Prep forge a strong start. Out of the six Inter-Ac squads, Malvern has placed the most players (13) in the scoring column, more than GA (11), EA (10), Penn Charter (9), and SCH (8). 

   Penn Charter mixes its offense among freshman guard Ryan Holmes (13 ppg), senior guard Adam Holland (11.7 ppg), and junior forward Mason Williams (11 ppg).

   Springside-Chestnut Hill enjoys a one-two punch of senior forward Zuri Peyton (12 ppg) and junior forward CJ Sweitzer (12 points versus Germantown Academy). The pair has provided the only double-figure scoring for the Blue Devils thus far. 

INTER-AC GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

   No offense intended for the other five programs, but unless something unforeseen occurs, the two girls’ teams most likely to battle until the end for Inter-Academic League basketball glory are two-time defending and perennial champion Germantown Academy and heavy challenger Episcopal Academy.

   “With the graduation of three starters and the loss of our starting point guard (junior Cat Polisano tore her anterior cruciate ligament), the burden was heavy for veteran floor leaders Abby Starzecky and Lilly Bolen,” said GA coach Sherri Retif, whose Patriots have captured 16 titles in her 18 seasons at the helm.  

On January 24 at Germantown Academy, their rematch occurred. This time, the Patriots topped the Churchwomen 52-42 – leaving both teams with a 6-1 league record and a share of first place in Inter-Ac rankings. Rachel Balzer led GA on the floor with 25 points and Elodie Furey led the Churchwomen with a game-high of 29 points.

   At Penn Charter, the Quakers finished 17-10 overall and 8-4 in the league. Second-year coach Joe Maguire’s rotation consists of three seniors (Lexi Hnatkowsky, Mireyah Davis, and Juliet Webb), one junior (Grace Stansfield), one sophomore (Emma Maley), and three freshmen (Kaitlyn Carter, Carmen Williams, and Lizzie McLaughlin).

   “We are greater as a whole than we are individually,” said Maguire.

   At the Academy of Notre Dame, Mary Beth McNichol begins her 26th season. She will rely significantly on the leadership and knowhow of Connecticut College-committed senior Casey Walsh, along with co-captains Kara Celano and Tess Phillips. Sophomore Mandy McGurk is a standout.

   “We seem to always have a talented freshman or soph,” said McNichol, responding to the dynamics of blending seniors with youth. “The upperclassmen are asked to embrace the younger kids and guide them.”  

   At the Baldwin School, guard Amaris Baker has been a scoring force. Among her top outputs this season have been 25 points in a victory over Olney, 23 in an overtime loss to Agnew Irwin, 20 against Springside-Chestnut Hill, and 18 versus Germantown Academy.  

   “We have a very young team this year,” said coach Danny Furey, “and look to continue to grow.”

   Agnes Irwin coach Paul Capodanno returns sophomore forward/center Gianna Napoleon, freshman guard Katie Anderson, and senior guard Caroline Coyne. The trio helped the Owls notch nail-biting victories is consecutive days over St. John Paul II (46-45) and Baldwin (38-35 in overtime) in mid-December.

   Among Springside-Chestnut Hill’s highlights was a 77-42 victory over Baldwin on January 6. Talk about a balanced attack. Nya Searight scored 17, Caroline Clark 15, Chloe Burns 10, and Destiny Rogers 10. 

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