MALVERN, PA – The Inter-Academic League basketball season has concluded. It almost resulted in Episcopal Academy capturing a state title, but it wasn’t to be.
On February 25, the Churchmen gave one of Pennsylvania’s top teams – Westtown – all it could handle through the middle part of the third quarter, but the top-seeded Moose proved to be too quick and too deep in a 64-49 victory.
Episcopal finished the season with an 18-11 record. The Churchmen had tied Germantown Academy for the Inter-Ac League championship, EA’s first since 2006.
In the PAISAA tournament, fourth-seeded Germantown Academy also fell victim to Westtown, losing 71-53, in the semifinals. Since third-seeded EA technically fared better in the postseason – a 59-58 overtime win over second-seeded Hill School in the semifinals secured a trip to the final – it could be argued that the Churchmen engineered a more successful season than the Patriots.
PAISAA Semi EA vs. Hill - 42 photos by EA Jr. Reporter Annin Decker
To their credit, the Churchmen avoided that assumption.
“I think we're pretty even with them,” said sophomore Matt Dade. “We split in the league and lost to the same team in the PAISAA. We play each other really tough, and it could really go either way."
Senior Kyle Virbitsky takes up the ball for the Churchmen vs. the Hill School - photo by Annin Decker EA Jr. Reporter
Senior teammate Kyle Virbitsky agreed.
“We both lost to Westtown, who is obviously a one-of-a-kind team,” said Virbitsky. “You don't see many kids in high school that can play like that, let alone an entire team. I was really proud of the way we played against them. We managed to win two of the four quarters, and to be honest with you, I think we ran out of time.”
Virbitsky, like all players from both EA and GA, felt that his compatriots were the best team. That said, the Churchmen will enjoy seeing a championship reminder adorn their rafters for the rest of time.
Can’t get too much better than that.
“We had an awesome season,” said Virbitsky. “It's one I know we will all remember for a long time.”
Senior guard Conner Delaney, who scored 26 points against Hill School and 14 against Westtown, said defeating the Hill School was a “huge feat” for the Churchmen, especially for the EA seniors who had never beaten them.
2017 PAISAA Final: EA vs. Westtown (66 Photos by Maggie Mengel, EA Jr. Reporter)
“I mean, it does make us feel good that we made it to the championship,” said Delaney. “We both lost to Westtown. I think the thing we take away from advancing to the championship is the validation that we are better than every other team in the PAISAA. To beat Hill to make it to the championship game was a huge feat for us.”
EA senior Nick Alikakos dives for the ball - photo by EA Jr. Reporter Maggie Mengel
“I have great respect for Germantown Academy and think we were both really good teams,” said Alikakos. “It would definitely be a great game to see us play them again.”
The next time EA meets GA will be next winter. Players such as Virbitsky and Alikakos will be watching from afar, undoubtedly checking out social media and reminiscing with former high school chums.
As one of their top starters this year, Dade will be a huge component of EA’s defending championship team.
“I think it's not too early to think about next year,” said Dade. “Our goal next year is the same as this year, which is to win the Inter-Ac. We know it will be tougher next year, because we are losing a lot of seniors. But that's why we need to work hard now, so we can put ourselves in a better situation to repeat.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)