By Terry Toohey
Steve Maloney and Gene Lambert had a running joke all season.
With how their games played out, Sun Valley coach Maloney figured, he was bound to meet Ches-Mont rival Octorara for a third time in the postseason.
Few similarities exist between the teams’ seasons. But their paths will cross again in Saturday’s District One Class AAA quarterfinals. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.
The No. 7 Vanguards (8-14) eked into the postseason to meet defending champs and second-seeded Octorara (19-4).
Despite the gulf in their records, Sun Valley improbably matches up well. The Vanguards lost, 67-64, in December. On Jan. 21, without starters Wali Sabree and Ryan Hall, Sun Valley stayed within two points of the Braves, 53-51.
That contest fell in the middle of four wins in six games, which included beating Rustin and Class AAAA qualifier Great Valley to garner sufficient bonus points for the eight-team field.
“It definitely gave the kids some more confidence,” Maloney said. “They saw we were progressing the way we should be. … That gave us jolt of confidence.”
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