Month: February 2017

By Bruce Adams

Following Lower Merion’s gut-wrenching loss to Garnet Valley Jan. 24, Aces’ head coach Gregg Downer felt the next two games could be the most important minutes of their season.
“It was very disappointing not to get the Garnet game, especially after the half-court shot,” Downer said following Lower Merion’s 58-56 win over Penncrest Tuesday. “I thought next 64 minutes [two games] would be most important of our season and whether it could define our season. Can we make Central League playoffs? Can we not make Central league playoffs? Can we get a top eight bye in the district playoffs? I knew 64 minutes would be critical and to come away with a pair of 58-56 wins (over Conestoga Jan. 27 and Penncrest Tuesday) were crucial.”
Lower Merion senior Terrell Jones, who led Lower Merion Tuesday with 18 points while adding seven rebounds and six steals, said, “Tonight was huge. Taking the loss to Garnet really set us back, but big wins over Conestoga and Penncrest, combined with some upsets help set us up. Everyone was locked in and we came in and did what we had to do.”
“We knew tonight was going to be very tough,” added sophomore Steve Payne, who finished with 13 points, two assists and two steals. “Penncrest is very tough especially when you have to play against a D1 prospect in Tyler Norwood. We just stayed in the gym and kept working and got our mind right and stayed focused.”
All evening seemed like punch-counterpunch with Lower Merion trying to break open a close game and Penncrest fighting back each time. Late in the third quarter Lower Merion opened up a 41-32 lead when sophomore Steve Payne converted a perfect feed from Khadafy Bilal.

(Webmaster’s note: The Lower Merion vs Penncrest game was our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard on our Archives link on the left hand side of the page.)

(click on this link for the full article)

 

Jordan Parks was unstoppable Wednesday night.

The Delco Christian guard poured in a career-high 25 points to lead the Knights to a 60-41 Bicentennial League boys basketball victory over Bristol.

Parks, who went 8-for-10 at the foul line, added four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tyler Penley netted 14 points and Jacob Bronkema contributed eight for the Knights (11-8, 9-6), who blew the game open with a 23-8 run in the second quarter.

Elsewhere in the Bicentennial League:

Plumstead Christian 59, Christian Academy 55 >> The Crusaders’ fourth-quarter struggles cost them a win on the road despite a strong performance at the free-throw line (16-for-22).

Jalen Sherrill scored a team-high 19 points to go with six steals. Davier Daniels added 12 points and Tehron Phillips finished with eight.

By Matthew De George

In a tie game in overtime, Marple Newtown went to the plan that got them to the extra session: Mark Dever.

Dever laid in a lob from Scott Hahn Tuesday night to finish with a career-high 33 points as Marple downed Garnet Valley, 77-75, in the Central League.

Dever also hit two free throws to send the game to OT in a vital win for the playoff aspirations of the Tigers (7-11, 4-9).

Hahn added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Mike May contributed 11 points, five assists and four steals, including one that set up the game-winning shot.

Austin Laughlin led Garnet Valley per usual with 36 points. Brandon Starr chipped in 19 for the Jags (12-7, 7-6).

Also in the Central League:

Lower Merion 58, Penncrest 56 >> Tyler Norwood scored 22 points, including a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one score in the final 10 seconds, and dished seven assists, but the Lions (13-6, 9-4) dropped a fourth straight decision.

Mike Mallon added 16 points for Penncrest.

(Webmaster’s note: The Lower Merion vs Penncrest game was our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard on our Archives link on the left hand side of the page.)

(click on this link for the full article)