Delcohoops.com

By Matthew DeGeorge

A season ago, defenses reliably knew where to find Jack D’Entremont. The Radnor wing was, more often than not, parked behind the 3-point line, the kind of spot-up shooter that is the common currency of so many high school half-court offenses.But the goal for D’Entremont between his sophomore and junior campaigns was to be more than that, and with a three-inch growth spurt sprouting a lanky 6-5 frame, he’s literally and figuratively risen to the challenge.

D’Entremont showed what he can do Friday night, scoring a career-high 23 points – mostly in the paint – to go with nine rebounds as Radnor pulled away from Strath Haven, 63-41.

“That was a big focus in the offseason, to get better, more well-versed,” D’Entremont said. “And I feel like I’ve done that.”

Friday’s evidence was compelling, for D’Entremont and a Raiders team that has surpassed its win total of three from 2017-18. D’Entremont drained nine buckets from the field, only one a 3-pointer. On the season, he’s hit 14 3-pointers, tops on Radnor, among 45 made baskets. Contrast that to last season, when 22 of his 33 field goals were of the 3-point variety.

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By Bruce Adams

After Lower Merion lost 1,000-point scorer Jack Forrest to an injury Dec. 11, the Aces (8-1) bounced back with five wins in their next six games and are ranked third in the most current (as of Dec. 31) PIAA District 1 6A boys basketball rankings.

“We’ve had a lot of guys stepping up this season – guys with grit and good character,” said Lower Merion head coach Gregg Downer, now in his 29th year as Aces mentor (which includes three PIAA state championships). “A lot of these kids have been with us on varsity since their freshman year.”
Following a 71-61 loss to Norristown (the top-ranked team in District 1) Dec. 15, the Aces have reeled off four wins in a row. All of the victories were by four points or less, and it began with a come-from-behind 80-76 double overtime win against Garnet Valley Dec. 18.

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By Matthew DeGeorge

The options for Penncrest on the final possession of a one-score game have become streamlined in recent weeks. It’s one of the few benefits of three starters sitting out injured.

The plan, down two points with 30 seconds to play Sunday against Chester, wasn’t to have Isiah Rice dribble into a crowd and lose the ball. Nor was it to have leading scorer Malcolm Williams standing flat-footed 38 feet from the basket, more ready to foul if a Clipper emerged with the ball than to shoot if a Lion recovered it

But like so much else in the Lions’ holiday break, when things haven’t gone to plan, they’ve found a way.

Marquis Tomlin buried a long 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds to play, sending Penncrest to a 47-46 win over Chester in the Pete and Jameer Nelson Classic at Widener University.

After falling to the court under pressure from Chester guard Rahmee Gilbert, Rice had the presence of mind to shovel the ball to Tomlin, standing two strides behind the arc. Tomlin’s triple splashed home, giving him a career-high 16 points and about as easy of a decision for game MVP honors as the three-day showcase has had.

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By PaPrepLIVE

All-Delco guard Michael Smith’s bucket with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter gave Chester a 47-46 lead and the eventual victory over St. George’s in the Pete and Jameer Classic at Widener University Saturday night.

The Clippers (4-3) were held scoreless for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. It was defense, including three blocks by Akeem Taylor, that buoyed the Clippers on this night. Rahmee Gilbert came away with a steal in the waning seconds to seal the win.

Taylor and Karell Watkins both registered double-doubles for Chester. Watkins had 14 points and 10 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season, and Taylor totaled 12 points and 11 boards.

Chester and Penncrest clash in a meeting of Delco boys basketball powers, 3:30 Sunday at Widener.

In other games at the Nelson Classic:

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By PAPrepLIVE

Garnet Valley’s Greg Vlassopoulos picked up a belated Christmas present Friday night. This one, though, the 6-3 senior had to earn.

Vlassopoulos was named Most Valuable Player as the host Jaguars topped Archmere Academy 55-35 in the championship game of the Garnet Valley Varsity Club Tournament.

Vlassapoulos led all scorers with 16 points and helped the Jaguars jump out to a 13-8 lead and never look back. Carl Schaller also earned a spot on the all-tournament team. He finished with 10 points. Neel Beniwal pitched in with 11 points for the Jags.

In other boys action:

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By PAPrepLive

At the Kobe Bryant Boosters Philly.com Classic:

Lower Merion 59, Chester 55 >> Karell Watkins had his fifth double-double in the last six games, scoring 15 points and adding 10 rebounds, and Rahmaad DeJarnette chipped in 11 points but the Clippers (3-3) could not hand the Aces their first loss of the season.

Akeem Taylor Jr. scored all 12 of his points in the third quarter but Lower Merion shot 12-for-13 from the free-throw line to keep pace.

Malvern Prep 74, Archbishop Carroll 62 >> Tairi Ketner had his fourth double-digit scoring outing in five games with 15 points while junior Ny’Mire Little followed up with 14 for the Patriots (5-4). Shawn Johnson (nine points) and Kiyl Mack (eight) provided a spark in the losing effort.

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