Germantown Academy ends 2019 season as Inter-Ac and PAISAA champions - PSD Photo by Zamani Feelings
2019 PAISAA Highlights: GA vs. Shipley - by Ben Medland
PHILADELPHIA--Germantown Academy was able to hold onto their lead and beat Shipley 58-43 to win the 2018-19 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship game at Jefferson University on Saturday.
The Inter-Ac Champions went 30-1 on their season with a perfect conference record, and now winning the PAISAA title is the icing on the cake.
But, the night before the Patriots got to play for the state title, this happened.
GA faced Abington Friends School in the semifinal on Friday and to say winning that game was intense, would be an understatement.
Down by one, with 11 seconds left on the clock, GA junior Jaye Haynes scored the winning bucket against AFS. GA won the game with a final score of 56-55.
SEE VIDEO OF JAYE HAYNES' GAME WINNING BASKET IN PAISAA SEMIFINAL END OF STORY ON LEFT
Fast forward to the next day and the Patriots find themselves in very familiar territory. In 2014, ’15 and ’17, the Patriots made it to the PAISAA Championship. All three times coming in second against Shipley. But this time it would be different. This time, GA was more than just ready.
The Patriots hit three- three-pointers to start the contest. Their early shooting success was in huge thanks to senior captain, Rachel Balzer. Joining the 1000th point club this year, the George Mason recruit came out strong hitting a three just 16 seconds into the game. A minute later she did it again. Balzer scored 11 of her 13 points in the first half. Along with a three-pointer from teammate junior Elle Stauffer, GA took a quick 9-2 lead.
Coming out of the first half, Shipley was down by 13. They were able to hit a few big shots to bring them within 10 by the end of the third quarter, 40-30. Going into the fourth quarter, Shipley’s, Anna Camden was shooting lights out, hitting two back-to-back threes to bring Shipley within five points, 48-43. But Camden was equally matched by GA sophomore Becca Booth, who scored a game high of 15 points during the contest.
The Patriots were able to stay poised throughout as Stouffer answered with a few quick layups of her own to gain control and pace of the game. Stouffer was also able to get to the line and hit a few late free throws to solidify their victory. The Harvard commit ended the contest with 9 points and four rebounds.
GA senior captain Rachel Balzer talks about her teams' quick start:
GA's Elle Stauffer talks about staying poised, getting the win for senior Rachel Balzer & how grateful she is to play for Coach Retif:
Head coach Dr. Sherri Retif talks about GA's magical season, ending with only one loss as PAISAA & Inter-Ac champs:
The Patriots were able to possess a big padding due to a dominant lead at the end of the first quarter, 22-9. They were shooting the ball exceptionally well and limiting Shipley’s chances to gain some momentum.
2019 PAISAA Championship Photos by Zamani Feelings
2019 PAISAA Championship Photos by Zamani Feelings
The second quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring seven points. However, the Patriots continued a 29-16 lead at the halftime break, which led to the thrilling third and fourth quarters.
Teammates: Jaye Haynes finished with 11 points and Maddie Vizza with 10 points.
For GA head coach Dr. Sheri Retif this season has been especially sweet. Retif has been at the helm of the Patriot program for 21 years and celebrated her 700th win this season.
Retif’s coaching record is now 706-187. Under her leadership, the Patriots have won the Inter-Ac Championship 19 times and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championship four times.
Germantown Academy suffered only one loss all season long, coming against then No. 2 nationally ranked Miami Country Day School on January 18, 2019. The team did not let that loss affect them, as they came full circle, winning 30 games, the Inter-Ac Championship and now the PAISAA Title.
A great season indeed…
Last second basket scored by Jaye Haynes to send GA to the PAISAA final: video by Patty Morgan for PSD
PAISAA Semifinal Photos - GA vs. AFS by Patty Morgan
