Inter-Ac Boys’ Basketball Round-Up:
Three games into a 10-game Inter-Academic League boys’ basketball schedule, a two-team race has emerged for early supremacy.
On Tuesday afternoon, Malvern Prep and Haverford School both raised their record to 3-0 with double-digit wins. The two teams will play against each other 7:15 Friday at Malvern.
Haverford vs SCHA - Photos by Zamani Feelings
HAV. vs. SCH - Photos by Zamani Feelings
“This should ultimately decide who will stand alone atop the Inter-Ac leading into the halfway mark of the season,” said Haverford School senior Bobby Stratts. “We look to practice with the same mentality and focus we have been doing. We have to rebound and play a lockdown defense.”
The Fords, playing without injured standout Jameer Nelson, defeated Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy, 66-54, behind a combined 50-point effort from junior Christian Ray (24 points, his third straight game of 20 or more), senior Kharon Randolph (14 points, now averaging 18 per game), and freshman Christian Clover (career-high 12).
For SCH (1-2), which was coming off a 55-53 win over defending league co-champ Germantown Academy, sophomore Ke’Shawn Williams scored 19 and junior Zyon Grant added 13.
“It was harder than we had to make it, but it was definitely a necessary game to get used to not having Jameer in the lineup,” said Ray. “This game coming up on Friday is looked as revenge for last year.”
CJ Sweitzer hits a three for SCH - video by Zamani Feelings
Beating Malvern will be a mighty task. The Friars upended Episcopal Academy, 74-64, and has defeated their three league foes by an average of 26 points.
Sophomore Deuce Turner shot 8 for 15 from the field and 12 or 14 from the foul line and finished with 30 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. For the Churchmen (0-3), junior Matt Dade scored 24 and sophomore Jack Fitzpatrick netted 10.
“I haven't played to my full potential this season and now it's time to keep this level of play up, which I'm capable of doing,” said Turner.
#4 Malvern Prep sophomore guard Kieves "Deuce" Turner - PSD photo by Zamani Feelings
“We came out early and played our style of basketball. Once we let up a little bit they were able to come back and make it a tough game, but overall we made big plays down the stretch and came out with a huge win for us.”
Senior Billy Corcoran collected 14 points and nine boards. While making life miserable for EA sophomore Alex Capitano (eight points) in MP’s box-and-one defensive alignment, junior TyGee Leach contributed nine points, six rebounds, and five assists.
“Today was a good win for us,” said senior Brady Devereux. “We didn’t play as well as we should have, but we grinded the whole game out. This year more than ever, we’ve been more together as a team, and we’ve been playing for each other. We are having fun together and getting everyone open shots. We also have been defending a lot better and using that to our advantage to run the floor better.”
Devereux is looking forward to Friday night.
“Us and Haverford are going to be the two teams competing for the Inter-Ac title,” he said. “This game has extreme value to it.”
Penn Charter was also victorious. In a 72-65 overtime win over visiting Germantown Academy, senior Mason Williams contributed 25 points while sophomore teammate Ryan Holmes chipped in with 19 and junior Ryan Maloney offered seven points and eight rebounds.
The Quakers (2-1) led throughout, but the Patriots (0-3), behind junior Brian Basile (25 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) and freshman Jordan Longino (17 points), turned a 36-24 halftime deficit into a tie game after regulation with consecutive 19-13 second-half quarters.
“I think we approached the game not really knowing what to expect because this wasn’t the same GA team as last year,” said Williams. “During the game I thought we grew a little frustrated, myself included, because we weren’t able to convert some easy plays that we usually do, as in we missed some open shots and drives that we usually expect to make.
“After the game I think we were satisfied with the win but we acknowledged that we did not play our best game and that we definitely need to be more efficient in our play moving forward in the Inter-Ac in order to compete as a top team in the league, which we are striving to do.”
PC vs. GA - Photos by Zamani Feelings
Penn Charter vs. GA - Photos by Zamani Feelings
GA vs. SCH - PSD Photos by Patty Morgan
GA v. SCH - PSD Photos by Patty Morgan
Penn Charter senior Will Samuel (seven points and six rebounds) said the win “shows how far we’ve come as a team.”
“Our team was able to keep on fighting even though the ball wasn’t always going in,” said Samuel. “But we’re treating it like any other league game, and gotta move on to the next one and get SCH on Friday.”
The storyline in Penn Charter’s 7:30 clash versus visiting Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy will feature Williams attempting to score his 1,000th career point. He needs 10 to accomplish the feat.
“I think it will be cool but I’m glad I’m in the position to be able to think about my 1000th point and that I’ve had the opportunity year after year to be trusted by my teammates and coaches to score and try to help my team win in every game.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)