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BOYS’ BASKETBALL: Today the Inter-Ac Champion Could be Crowned – See Final Inter-Ac Game Schedule & Around-the-League Motivation

By John Knebels - Photos by Zamani Feelings, Mike Nance & Patty Morgan, 02/05/19, 11:30AM EST

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By: John Knebels

Photos: Zamani Feelings, Mike Nance & Patty Morgan

 

INTER-AC –Rarely has an Inter-Academic League season been so transparent.

Early on, Haverford School and Malvern Prep were identified as the two compelling squads. Entering the final week, nothing has changed.

At 4:00 Tuesday afternoon, the two squads will meet. A victory by visiting Haverford School (9-0) would clinch its second straight undefeated title. A win by Malvern Prep (7-1) would leave open the possibility of a shared championship should the Friars dispatch Penn Charter three nights later.

The first time Haverford and Malvern met turned out to be an absolute classic. The Fords’ 93-90 overtime triumph portends another see-saw battle to the final horn.


Malvern Prep junior guard Deuce Turner defends Penn Charter's Mark Butler - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings


Haverford School senior Christian Ray is averaging 25 ppg - PSD Photo by Mike Nance

“We are very excited, said Malvern sophomore Fran Oschell. “After the way the last game against them went, we have been very motivated to get better and be more prepared for our next matchup with them, and I feel like we definitely are. 

“Playing for an Inter-Ac championship is always exciting. And, when you combine that with the fact that we’re playing it against our rivals, it leads to a lot of anticipation and excitement. We have worked very hard to get to this point and are looking forward to the game.”

Malvern junior Deuce Turner recognizes what’s at stake.

“It’s obviously a must win for us and we’ve been playing well lately,” said Malvern junior Deuce Turner. “This past win over Plymouth-Whitemarsh (90-86 on Saturday, in which Turner tallied a season-high 41 points) has given us confidence and boosted our energy, so we will see if we will pull out the win to give us the chance to tie the league.”

Turner joins sophomore Rahdir Hicks (15.1), Oschell (14.4), and junior Spencer Cochran (10.0) as Friars averaging double figures. Turner’s 26.1 points per game leads the league.

In second place at 25.0 is Haverford School senior Christian Ray. According to the reigning Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player, a possible Fords’ victory extends past the present. 

“It’s a big one not only for this team, but for the legacy of the seniors,” said Ray. “We went 10-0 last year and are 9-0 so far this year and have already clinched a share for the Inter-Ac. We aren’t content with that and want to go 10-0 again.

“My sophomore year we had a game at Malvern to clinch a share for the Inter-Ac and got blown out. That is still on my mind today and it will create a chip on our shoulder going into Tuesday.”

Haverford sophomore Tyler Seward admitted that beating Malvern twice “is not going to be easy. We just have make sure we are all mentally and physically prepared and locked in.” 

Added senior Ford Jameer Nelson: “We have prepared for this and are ready for this test. I am confident we can get the job done.”

As for the remaining four teams in the league, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (3-5) has a half game lead over Episcopal Academy (3-6) and a one-game edge over Germantown Academy (2-6) for third place. Penn Charter (1-7) mathematically can finish, at best, tied for fourth.

Several players from teams third through sixth were asked if it’s been difficult finding motivation knowing early on that an Inter-Ac title was extremely unlikely. Not surprisingly, they have remained optimistic throughout the winter.

Ryan Maloney, Penn Charter, senior: “We try to come out every week and give a team a fight no matter who it is. The league is very competitive, so it is never an easy game. It gets us motivated to knock teams out.”

Ke’Shawn Wiliams, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, junior: “The new motivation is to finish out the year on a high note while preparing for states and getting a good seed in states. So it hasn’t been too challenging, plus coach Jules (McFadden) always keeps us motivated.”

Ryan Holmes, Penn Charter, junior: “From my perspective, it is very challenging playing in the Inter-Ac because every game is important. Everyone always wants to perform well, and that is the motivation to win.” 

Episcopal Academy Colin Chambers, junior: “There is not a different type of motivation and it isn’t a challenge. Whenever I step between those lines, I always play hard. I love to compete, so when I’m on the court I play as hard as I can no matter what the circumstances are.”

Matt Dade, Episcopal Academy, senior: “We just focus on playing as hard as possible and challenging ourselves on winning as much as possible despite the fact we can’t win the Inter-Ac. Our mentality is to always play your hardest no matter what the circumstances are.” 

Jordan Longino, Germantown Academy, sophomore: “As competitors our team’s goal at the beginning of the season was to win an Inter-Ac title. Even though we didn’t accomplish that, it’s not hard at all to keep competing and playing hard, because we know as a team we still have to improve with every game, and I feel like we have done that. 

“Our team is relatively young, so of course there are some challenges, but it’s only a matter of time until we reach our full potential as a team. With Coach (Jim Fenerty) out and not returning, I think we have all the motivation we need to get the Germantown Academy program that Coach Fenerty built for 30-plus years back to winning championships, like it is accustomed to doing.”

Remaining Inter-Academic League schedule: Tuesday – Haverford School at Malvern Prep, 4:00; Germantown Academy at Episcopal Academy, 4:00; Springside Chestnut Hill at Penn Charter, 4:00. Friday –Springside Chestnut Hill at Germantown Academy, 7:00; Penn Charter at Malvern Prep, 7:30.

 

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

WPC vs. SCHA - Photos by Patty Morgan


#32 Matt Dade, Episcopal Academy senior - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings


#20 Jordan Longino, Germantown Academy sophomore - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings