NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA
Heading into the final two games of the Inter-Academic League boys’ basketball season, nothing has been clinched. On January 27, that reality was cemented. More on that a bit later.
Here’s the skinny: Barring a monumental upset loss at Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy in its season finale on February 7, Episcopal Academy, at minimum, has wrapped up a share of the league crown. The Churchmen are 7-1, with Germantown Academy and Haverford School sitting at 6-2.
Final seconds & EA court rush
Tomorrow night, February 3, Episcopal hosts Germantown Academy. A victory would eliminate GA from winning its fifth straight league championship and, though not mathematically, pretty much do the same to Haverford School, regardless of its tough challenge at Malvern Prep.
Although a share of the title would be quite an accomplishment, that isn’t what the Churchmen desire.
“(Winning the title outright) would be a lot more special,” said senior Kyle Virbitsky, a three-sport standout, including football and baseball. “I don’t think any of us are in the business of sharing the title with GA or Haverford School or both.
“We’ve just about dominated everyone in this league especially with (last year’s scoring champion Nick Alikakos) back, so being the outright champs would be the only way I see fit to represent that. This (contest against Germantown Academy) is a championship game for us.”
The aforementioned January 27 had a championship feel when Episcopal visited Haverford School and emerged with a 71-57 triumph. Both squads had entered with one league loss. With the boisterous Haverford School crowd bellowing clever chants and trying to drown out a small but emphatic contingent of Episcopal zealots, the Churchmen needed to grab control early.
Conner Delaney scored 23 points and orchestrated EA’s win
Episcopal Academy senior Kyle Virbitsky grabbed 10 rebounds
EA coach Craig Conlin expresses pride after a key victory over Haverford School
EA senior Jack O’Connell scored 15 clutch points to help Churchmen top Haverford School
A 12-1 start and 15-3 lead after one quarter did the trick. By the time Episcopal’s lead swelled to 19-3 and 27-8, Haverford School was in desperation mode. The Churchmen led, 32-17, at halftime, and early in the third quarter by 37-18. The Fords utilized their speed and an eight-point flurry by junior Kharon Randolph (game-high 25 points) to climb to within 39-28 with 4:39 left in the third and 46-37 at the start of the fourth.
Haverford School could move no closer. Tremendous point-guard orchestration and smooth shooting by senior Conner Delaney (23 points, five assists), laser-like shooting by senior Jack O’Connell (he nailed three of his five three-point field goals in the decisive fourth to finish with a career-best 15 points), balanced contributions from Virbitsky (6 points, 10 rebounds), sophomore Jack O’Reilly (8 points), sophomore Matt Dade (nine points), and Alikakos (8 points and standout defense), and solid free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the deal.
“I’m very proud of all our players,” said EA coach Craig Conlin.
He might be even prouder Friday night.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
See photo gallery below for game photos taken by EA Jr. Reporter, Annin Decker:
