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BOYS' BASKETBALL: Episcopal And Germantown Academy Named Dual-Champions Of Inter-Ac League

By John Knebels, photos by EA Jr. Reporters Annin Decker & Maggie Mengel, 02/17/17, 6:30PM EST

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Co-champions.

   Depending on the route that took you there, sharing a title emits distinctly different emotions. Take, for instance, the recently completed Inter-Academic League basketball season. 

   Halfway through, Germantown Academy’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive championship appeared far-fetched at best. The Patriots dropped their season opener to Haverford School and, three games later, a home contest against Episcopal Academy. At a very unfamiliar 2-2, the Patriots would have to run the table and hope for help, as Episcopal and Haverford School showed signs of a two-team battle to the bitter end.

Game five saw GA pull a Lazarus act, emerging from the depths of a 19-point deficit to defeat Malvern Prep. Four nights later, the Pats ruined Haverford School’s perfect 5-0 season with an epic 100-98 triumph that necessitated an 11-point, fourth-quarter GA comeback and five overtimes to determine a winner. In addition to needing Haverford School to lose at least one more game (the Fords ultimately dropped three of their final five to finish 7-3), one major obstacle remained, but it was a doozy. 

   In the penultimate game of the regular season, GA visited Episcopal. A win by the hosts would basically secure an outright Inter-Ac title; a victory by GA would create a first-place tie with the Churchmen. In arguably their most impressive performance of the season, GA defeated Episcopal, 54-50. 

After GA stopped Malvern Prep and EA dispatched Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy in their respective season finales, the Patriots and Churchmen shared the 2016-17 Inter-Ac glory.

   With a week to digest what can accurately be described as a thoroughly entertaining campaign, players and coaches were asked to share their thoughts.

Germantown Academy senior and Inter-Ac Most Outstanding Player Kyle McCloskey:

   “It was really a surreal feeling to extend our streak. It just makes it feel like all our hard work really paid off. We all worked so hard and didn't get discouraged when we lost a couple of games. No one was picking us halfway through the season, but we treated every game like a playoff, like it was win or go home, and we left everything on the court. It was just really amazing to go out after four years never losing an Inter-Ac championship.”


GA's Kyle McCloskey - photo by Zamani Feelings

 Episcopal Academy sophomore standout Matt Dade:

   “It does feel good to be co-champs, but it's disappointing because our main goal was to be solo champs. Looking back at the GA game, knowing we could have been solo champs hurts. But when we see ‘2017’ on our banner, we will feel great. It's very exciting knowing I have two more years to win it outright.”


EA's Matt Dade - photo by Maggie Mengel

Germantown Academy senior and first-team All-Inter-Ac Evan-Eric Longino:

   “It was an amazing accomplishment to come back and win in the fashion we did. My teammates and I knew we had to win this one, not only for ourselves, but for our coach (Jim Fenerty) and our school. I believe I can speak for the whole team and say there was an angel watching over us against Malvern on that Tuesday. And that angel was not going to let us lose. Rest in Peace, Mr. (Peter) McVeigh (long-time teacher and community stalwart at GA). Thank you for everything you've taught not only me, but our whole program. Your spirit will continue to live on throughout all of our lives in the future.”


GA's Evan-Eric Longing - Photo by Annin Decker

Episcopal Academy senior and three-sport starter Kyle Virbitsky:

“We really were not looking to share the title, and I know a lot of us wish that GA game went a little different. At the end of the day, I know everyone is very happy with the outcome of the season. Episcopal hasn't had a championship since ’06 with Wayne (Ellington) and (current Philadelphia 76er) Gerald (Henderson), so this was really big for the program and for the school.

   “I think what was weird was that we didn't officially clinch until after we beat SCHA, and in your head, you have this dream of clinching in an atmosphere like it was when we played GA on Friday night, not in an empty gym on a Tuesday afternoon.”


EA's Kyle Virbitsky - Photo by Zamani Feelings

Episcopal Academy coach Craig Conlin:

“It feels amazing to be I-A champs. This has been a long journey with ups and downs. This past season alone we have been beset by injuries, illness, and many other distractions. But our players persevered and overcame adversity through grit, hard work and a lot of sweat.  So much of the credit for this I-A championship goes to their efforts.

   “A lot of credit also needs to go to our assistant coaching staff (including junior varsity coach Tim Ivory, and assistant coach Tom Kossuth, who were a respective player and assistant coach on the 2006 EA championship squad), who were phenomenal with coming up with outstanding practice and game plans. They were also very instrumental in coming up with winning combinations in games and dealing with match-ups on the other team.

   “Our entire program won this championship for our brothers and for those who played before us. I'd rather win it outright, but we'll take it. In the future, we won't remember that we split, only that we're I-A champs, 2017.  And on the banner in our gym, there won't be an asterisk next to the year 2017. Hopefully more to come.” 

Germantown Academy coach Jim Fenerty:

   “The trademark of these teams has always been playing their best basketball at the end of the season. We came out of the break 3-2, and not to take anything at all away from anyone, we felt like we hadn’t played our best basketball, so we went back to the drawing board.

   “After we came back to beat Malvern, (Temple University coach and former Malvern Prep coach) Fran Dunphy called me and said, ‘Your guys weren’t going to be denied. They kept coming and coming and coming.’

   “It came down to senior leadership. They refused to lose. I think it’s true that winning really does breed winning.”

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