Lower Merion downs Conestoga to wrap up 9th consecutive state berth

By Bruce Adams

Lower Merion clinched its ninth consecutive PIAA 6A state berth – the longest current streak in District 1 6A boys’ basketball – with a 65-56 win against visiting Conestoga Tuesday evening in the second round of the District 1 6A tournament, and it was a hard-earned victory, thanks to a persistent Pioneer squad.

While Lower Merion led for nearly the entire game, the Pioneers hung tough with some potent three-point shooting, and the visitors trailed by only three points (57-54) with two minutes left.

Lower Merion senior guard Jack Forrest, who scored 22 points, said, “We know Conestoga is going to hit shots, they’re big-time players. We just had to get some stops; and down the stretch we got some needed buckets and sunk our free throws, which was really important. Conestoga is a great team, this is the third time we’ve played them this year [all LM wins], and every game has been close, every game has been a battle, and we’re just lucky we got this one.”

Aces head coach Gregg Downer was asked what his first reaction was when the final buzzer sounded at the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium.

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