Lower Merion senior Rashyne Patterson had five blocks in Tuesday’s win over Springfield. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)
By Owen McCue
When Rashyne Patterson stepped into the Lower Merion lineup for the first time at the start of this season, he was given a few simple instructions by the Aces coaching staff.
“They always told me, ‘Rebound and protect the rim. Protect the house,” Patterson said. “That’s always been my role on this team. I try to protect the house as best as I can.”
The 6-foot-3 senior swatted away five shots in a 54-45 win over Central League foe Springfield-Delco on Tuesday night — a matchup between two squads jockeying for league playoff position.
Patterson’s most important rejection came during a key fourth-quarter stretch that turned the tide for the Aces, who trailed by as many as seven in the second half.
“Huge,” said fellow senior Lamont Grier. “He’s been making plays like that the whole season. I’m glad we have him on the team. He does way more than that off the scenes with the rebounding besides blocking, with the scoring too. He’s really playing a big part in our game.”