The Fords are undefeated at 7-0; Malvern is at 6-1, its only loss a 62-57 setback at home against Haverford School on January 19. A victory by the Fords would give them a two-game lead with two games to play, albeit toughies against 3-4 Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy and 3-4 Penn Charter. A win by Malvern would create a tie, and the Friars have games remaining at 2-5 Episcopal Academy and at home versus 0-7 Germantown Academy.

   Haverford School is maintaining an even keel.

   “We have home court and we want to use the crowd’s energy to our advantage,” said Haverford School junior Christian Ray. “But every opponent is the same regardless of strength. It’s another game on our journey. We take it one game at a time.”

Haverford School senior Kharon Randolph is embracing the same approach.

   “Every game is a big game,” he said. “We are looking at this game as we did the last seven and how we will look at the final two. We can’t take anything for granted because there is still work to do.”

   Malvern Prep is in the proverbial do-or-die protocol.

   “We’re going to really have to come together as a team and win on both ends of the floor by doing it as one,” said junior TyGee Leach. “We just have to play tough and play at our tempo.” 

Malvern sophomore Deuce Turner, the league’s top scorer, is confident in his teammates and coaching staff.

   “We gotta come out hard and play as tough as possible,” said Turner. “It’s gonna be hard because we’ve had guys out for a while being hurt and sick, but we aren’t going to let if affect us.

   “It’s gonna be a hard-fought game and we mentally have to be strong playing at their place, but I truly believe in my guys that we will get the job done.”

   Senior Billy Corcoran summarized why the Friars lost to the Fords two weeks ago.

   “It was a really good game and came down to the last minute,” said Corcoran. “In that minute, Haverford outplayed us when it mattered most. I think if we come prepared, there isn’t anyone we can’t play with.”

There will be two other Inter-Ac games going on simultaneously.

   Episcopal Academy visits Germantown Academy at 7:30 and is looking for a two-game winning streak. Germantown Academy (0-7), meanwhile, is anxiously awaiting its first league win behind freshman Jordan Longino, who has led the Patriots in scoring in four league games and tied for the top spot in two others. 

In the Churchmen’s 63-51 win at Penn Charter, junior forward Matt Dade netted 25 points and seized 12 rebounds while sophomore guard Alex Capitano scored 14 and junior Jack O’Reilly added 12. Sophomore Colin Chambers chipped in with seven. For Penn Charter, seniors Will Samuel 16 points) and Jake Nicastro (12) kept the Quakers alive.

   “It was super important for us to get back on track after some tough losses,” said Dade. “The difference maker today was that as a team, we came out ready to play. Most of our losses involve us starting slow offensively and defensively. Today, we came out good on both.”

   Capitano said the Churchmen were motivated having lost to the Quakers, 58-52, in the league opener.

   “We were hungry for redemption and we executed,” said Capitano. “I feel like we played very good defense on their guards which helped us win, because their guards are the ones putting up points for them. On offense, we executed our game plan well and when we do that, good things happen.”

At 6:30, Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy will host Penn Charter. A win would give the Blue Devils sole possession of third place. SCH sophomore Ke’Shawn Williams downplayed the fact that he has led the Blue Devils in scoring in each of their seven Inter-Ac contests.

   “I don’t really take pride in it, but it is something I know I have to do for the team,” said Williams. “I feel a little pressure because I would like to keep it up.”

   Random note: The top five Inter-Ac scorers – all mentioned above – are all underclassmen. Turner, a sophomore, leads the pack at 21.9. Ray, a junior, is second at 20.9. Williams is third at 19.9, followed by Dade at 19.7 and Longino at 19.0.