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By Matt DeGeorge

For a team with championship aspirations in the Inter-Ac League like Haverford School, a trip to Germantown Academy for the league opener is about the most daunting task possible. But the Fords responded to the five-time reigning champions with a statement victory Tuesday.

Kharon Randolph scored 22 points and Christian Ray paired 20 points with 11 rebounds as the Fords upended GA, 84-70, in an early broadcast of their title credentials.

Jameer Nelson Jr. poured in 18 points, and Asim Richards added a season-best 11 points for the Fords (10-4, 1-0). Haverford has won four straight games.

Germantown Academy, which last year shared the title with Episcopal Academy after four consecutive outright crowns, got 18 points from Lacey Snowden.

Also in the Inter-Ac League:

(click on this link for more game stories and scores)

By Ari Glazier

This season, Bonner Prendergast sophomore Tyreese Watson made the jump from JV to varsity. Now, he’s not just getting minutes for the Catholic League contenders, he’s the Friars’ starting point guard.

The 6-foot-2 West Philly native was not intimidated by this major jump in responsibility. Instead he dove head first into a leadership role for Bonner, using his fun loving personality to connect with his teammates.

“Most of the kids are just semi-introverted…but Tyrese is more of a vocal leader,” Bonner coach Jack Concannon sad. “He’s not afraid to tell the older kids where they should be and what they should do, which is part of being a point guard, that’s what you want out of your point guard: leadership.”

Tyreese credits his leadership ability to the example set by his brother Maurice Watson Jr.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Michael Bullock

CITY OF BASKETBALL LOVE STATE BASKETBALL RANKINGS

(records through games of Jan. 7/OW-others to watch/NR-not ranked)

CLASS 6A

Speedy Morris pocketed career victories No. 998 and No. 999 as No. 6 St. Joseph’s Prep defeated West Catholic (75-55) and Archbishop Ryan (54-44). Darius Kinnel totaled 42 points in the victories, while Kyle Thompson banked 32. Morris could bag 1K on Friday against Lansdale Catholic. … No. 3 Hazleton walloped a pair of victims, decking Wyoming Valley West (94-64) and Crestwood (72-33) to remain unbeaten. Da’Mir Faison (25/11), Jeff Planutis (16/15), Josh Samec (19/11) and Joey Grula (14/10) reached double digits in both games. … No. 8 Penn Hills became the first Pennsylvania squad to collect 12 victories, as the Indians on Friday bested Penn-Trafford 65-56. Cameron Wiley netted 16 points for the Indians.

(click on this link for the full rankings)

A fast start helped Bonner & Prendergast, the No. 1 team in the Super 7, stay undefeated in Catholic League with a 49-37 triumph over Bishop McDevitt Sunday afternoon.

The Friars jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter and outscored the Lancers, 15-6, in the third period to take a 39-24 advantage into the final frame.

Isaiah Wong paced four players in double figures with 15 points for the Friars (9-2 overall, 2-0 PCL). Ajiri Johnson tallied 13 points, and Tyriq Ingraham and Donovan Rodriguez contributed 10 points each.

In the Central League:

Garnet Valley 68, Springfield 55 >> The Jaguars’ 3-point shooting was too much for the Cougars. Garnet Valley made 10 triples and scored 26 points in the second quarter to erase a 17-14 deficit.

(click on this link for more game stories and scores)

By Matthew DeGeorge

The execution, after two snow-bound and practice-free days, wasn’t always crisp, but the plan was sound for Upper Darby Saturday.Nursing a lead in the fourth quarter, coach Bob Miller packed the backcourt with his two point guards, Jalun Trent and Mamadou Toure, to share ball-handling duties in the face of an aggressive Strath Haven half-court press. It’s a luxury most teams don’t have, two sure-handed vets in the backcourt.

The plan was blighted by a pair of late turnovers. But by and large the Royals held firm to the lead to preserve a 51-45 Central League win.

“It’s great because they’re able to facilitate on the floor, they’re able to get people open and they’re able to control the game since they’re the ball-handlers,” said shooting guard Magd Abdelwahab, a sturdy secondary option with the ball. “They’ve got good control down the stretch. It helps the team a lot.”

Toure committed those late turnovers as the Royals (7-3, 3-3 Central) tried to milk clock while defending an advantage that rose as large as 12 early in the fourth quarter, on a tic-tac-toe bucket by Chris Martin off crisp passing between Toure and Trent. Upper Darby wasn’t always successful in slowing the pace, with Cooper Driscoll cutting the deficit to two at 47-45 with 42 seconds to play. But the blueprint of a backcourt-driven Royals squad is a convincing model late in games.

(click on this link for more game stories and scores)

  

By Bruce Adams

If the Lower Merion boys’ basketball team would like to enjoy a post-season run, they have to make sure and embrace the Next Man Up philosophy coach Gregg Downer has instilled throughout his tenure.

“You never know when your number will be called,” said Downer. “When it is, you are expected to perform. The culture and attitude we have created is strong and it will need to stay that way moving forward.”

LM junior Steve Payne added, “Anyone’s number can be called which is why it’s important for everyone to prepare and work hard. If your number is called you need to be ready.”

With Matt O’Connor slowly returning to line-up following an injury suffered during pre-season and Theo Henry sidelined with a fractured foot suffered during pre-season, the next man up philosophy has been paramount for the Aces early season success.

Over the winter break, Lower Merion took part in the 13th annual Pete and Jameer Nelson Classic taking on Academy Park Dec. 29 at Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) before tipping off against Coatesville the following day at Widener University.

(click on this link for the full story)