Delcohoops.com

By Josh Verlin

Will Higson has gotten plenty used to playing with John Seidman over the years.

The two Haverford High School juniors go back before their freshman year on the Fords’ team, to their middle school days as seventh graders. That’s given Higson plenty of time to get to know Seidman, but also understand his game –– which is why the Fords’ 6-foot-2, 215-pound forward knows exactly what to do whenever Seidman starts to drive to the hoop.

“When I see him drive…I’ve seen that it’s tough to stop him when he gets a head of steam,” Higson said. “So the guy that’s guarding me usually has to come up and help, and I just know I’m going to be open after that.”

And Seidman knows it, too.

“I’ve been playing with (Will) for a while, I always trust him to catch it and he’s obviously good at finishing it, he doesn’t miss many,” he said. “And he makes his foul shots, that’s nice to have.”

Webmaster’s note: The Central League Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball Championships on February 11th will be audio broadcast LIVE right here on Delcohoops.com!

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By Matthew DeGeorge

Akeem Taylor scored 24 points and Shaquan Horsey added a double-double in his starting debut Tuesday to spark Chester to its 29th straight Del Val League victory, an 81-27 decision over Interboro.

Horsey collected 14 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Clippers (18-3, 8-0), who completed their third consecutive unbeaten season under coach Keith Taylor.

Donziar Ellis registered eight points and four steals for Chester.

Penn Wood 57, Chichester 55 >> Jeremiah Flynn’s tap-in of a missed foul shot just before the buzzer lifted the Patriots to the win.

The Eagles had the Patriots right where they wanted them.

Trailing by three points, Josh Hankins of Chi hit a trey knotting the game at 55 with four seconds left.

With 1.7 ticks left, the Patriots missed two free throw attempts, the second of which Flynn capitalized on for his eighth and ninth points.

Flynn had nine points, Shamir Baynes 19 for the Patriots.

Hankins netted 13 points, Paris Blackwell 14 for the Eagles (8-12, 2-5). Andrew Monroe added 10 rebounds and seven points, Hankins four assists.

In Bicentennial League action:

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By Mitchell Gladstone 

Gregg Downer knew the significance of Tuesday night’s game. Yes, it was a chance for his Aces to lock up the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Central League playoffs.

But it was also Downer’s first opportunity to get win No. 600. He just didn’t tell his players.

And though it took the entire 40 minutes, Lower Merion eked out a 41-39 victory on its home floor, holding off a late-charging Conestoga squad and overcoming a miserable second half of offense. Senior Eli Rothman stepped up with 16 points, stepping into the starting lineup and playing all 32 minutes as he shouldered the brunt of the Aces’ scoring.

“It’s great to be a part of the team that got him that 600th win,” senior James Simples said. “I just want to make Coach happy — he works hard, we work hard, and it makes us happy when we get the results.”

Webmaster’s note: The Central League Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball Championships on February 11th will be audio broadcast LIVE right here on Delcohoops.com!

(click on this link for the full story)

By Bruce Adams

The 6-foot-5 senior wing is averaging more than 17.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg for the Raiders (12-8 as of Feb. 3), including a 29-point effort in a 70-58 win against Harriton Jan. 30 . Last winter, he averaged 14 ppg and led the Raiders in rebounding, while receiving team co-MVP, All-Main Line and All-Central League honors.

Q: What has been your favorite moment so far this season and why?

A: Beating Penncrest on the road earlier this season (a 32-30 win Dec. 13).  It was a great team win against a program that has won two of the past three District 1 championships and had really owned our matchup over my career.  To get that win in front of their fans was a great feeling.  
 

Q: What aspect of your game do you feel you have improved the most this season? 

A: Being able to score off the dribble, in the paint and in other ways that aren’t just catch and shoot.  

Q: What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I’ve been working to get touches in the paint and post to take advantage of matchups I get against smaller guys.  

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It’s been a busy weekend for Chester boys basketball. It’s also been a winning one.

Karell Watkins scored 21 points to go with 15 rebounds and five steals as Chester won its sixth straight game, 65-61, over John F. Kennedy High School of Paterson (N.J.) Sunday in the Battle by the Bay at Atlantic City High School.

Rahmee Gilbert and Akeem Taylor scored 14 points each, and Taylor added 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Clippers (17-3), who overcame a 10-point halftime deficit via a 21-8 edge in the third quarter.

by Mike Cabrey

Pennridge 69, Haverford 52 >> Trent Fisher was big for Pennridge Saturday, posting a game-high 27 points as the Rams raced out to a 21-point halftime lead and rolled to a nonleague victory.

Christian Guldin scored 12 points while Colin Post added 11 points for Pennridge (15-5, 8-2 SOL Continental), who led 19-10 after a quarter then outscored the Fords 21-9 over the next eight minutes to go into the break up 40-19. The Rams extended their advantage to 57-31 entering the fourth.

John Seidman paced Haverford with 13 points while Hunter Kraiza had 12 points.

Lower Merion 42, Souderton 37 (OT) >> Souderton erased a seven-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to force overtime but Lower Merion took the extra session 7-2 to win the nonleague matchup.

Brian Reiner scored 14 points to lead the Indians (12-9, 6-5 SOL Continental). Jason Price and Matt Uhrich both added eight points for Big Red, who lost its second straight.

Demetrius Lilley posted a game-high 17 points for Lower Merion while Phil Cook and James Simples each collected 10 points. The Aces led 20-14 at halftime and was up 28-21 after the third before Souderton outscored the hosts 14-7 in the fourth.

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