Plymouth Whitemarsh back in title game with win over Lower Merion

Xzavier Malone scored a game-high 19 points as Plymouth Whitemarsh advanced to the District 1 AAAA title game. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)

City of Basektball logo PIAA Dist 1

By Stephen Pianovich

Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio noticed something different about his current team from the one which also reached the District 1 AAAA semifinals at the Liacouras Center last season.

This version of the Colonials isn’t just pleased with making it this far.

That’s a reason this veteran Plymouth Whitemarsh, which starts five seniors, was able to respond so well when Lower Merion went on a few runs Tuesday night. The second-seeded Colonials calmly and collectively handled any spurt by the Aces and eventually pulled away for a 53-42 win, punching their second straight ticket to the District 1 AAAA title game.

“That’s what a senior strong team does that believes in itself,” Donofrio said. “Last year, just getting here was the enjoyable part.”

A year ago, Plymouth Whitemarsh fell to Abington in the championship game.

The Colonials never trailed 11th-seeded Lower Merion in the second half of Tuesday’s win, but their lead was in jeopardy on two occasions.

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