Bonner & Prendergast tops Neumann-Goretti in first-place battle

By Matthew DeGeorge

Bonner & Prendergast ceded the high ground in the race for the Philadelphia Catholic League regular-season title with Wednesday’s loss to La Salle.

Sunday, it wrestled it back.

Isaiah Wong scored 26 points, and Tariq Ingraham and Ajiri Johnson dominated in the post to help Bonner & Prendergast hand Neumann-Goretti its first Catholic League loss, 73-70, Sunday.

Ingraham scored 16 points, and Johnson scored 13 points. Donovan Rodriguez added 10 points for the Friars (15-3, 8-1), who are now even with the Saints with one loss in the league each.

Also in the Catholic League:

(click on this link for more game stories and scores)

Evans ages just in time for Chester Charter School for the Arts

By Matthew DeGeorge

The brief scouting report on Chester Charter School for the Arts, in its first season of PIAA competition, centers on two names. There’s leading scorer Akeem Taylor, who proved why against Interboro. And there’s 6-8 sophomore Tyler Howard.But when Howard left Saturday’s game after the first quarter and departed the gym by halftime with an apparent upper-body injury, something in the Sabers’ approach would have to change. And freshman Timmy Evans knew it.

“I just had to step up because our big man was hurt, I guess,” Evans said. “So I just had to step up and help the team out.”

The forward promptly scored four of his eight points in a big fourth quarter to go with 12 rebounds as the Sabers held off the Bucs, 53-47, to sweep the teams’ home-and-home series this week.

The final edge on the glass was a slight 37-36 for Chester Charter, but it seemed more lopsided, thanks to the efforts of Evans and company stretching possessions and creating second chances. It was particularly beneficial given a ghastly shooting night at the free-throw line, the Sabers clanging together a 3-for-16 effort.

(click on this link for the full story)

Webmaster’s note: The West Philadelphia vs Chester Charter game this coming Monday night, January 29th at 6:30 PM is our Game-of-the-Week.  Simply come on line and click on the player that appears on our home page. Listen to the whole game LIVE! 

Laughlin tabs 36 points, Garnet Valley tops Chichester

By Matthew DeGeorge

Two of the top offenses in Delaware County lived up to expectations Saturday afternoon.

Austin Laughlin poured in 36 points, and Greg Vlassopoulos added 19 as Garnet Valley overpowered Chichester, 93-82, in a nonleague contest.

Connor O’Brien added 17 points, and Cade Brennan chipped in 15 for the Jaguars (14-4), who broke open a 77-all tie for their fourth straight win. It’s Garnet Valley’s third 90-point game in its last four outings and fifth of the season.

DaQuan Granberry led Chichester with a season-high 34 points, including six 3-pointers, and 13 rebounds. Amiri Stewart contributed 13 points, and James Hendricks and D’Nadre Morgan supplied a dozen apiece for the Eagles (11-6).

In other nonleague action:

(click on this link for more game stories and scores)

Marple continues winning streak defeating Strath Haven

Strath Haven’s #32 Cooper Driscoll looks for an opening as Marple Newtown’s #3 Anthony Paoletti defends. Photo by Apicephoto.com

By Matthew DeGeorge

Marple Newtown 61, Strath Haven 50 >> Tommy Gardler scored 16 points, Anthony Paoletti added 13 and Mike May chipped in 11 for the Tigers (9-8, 6-6), who’ve won four straight, including this clash between District 1 Class 5A hopefuls.

Haven’s #42 Ryan Morris shoots as MN’s #10 Tommy Gardler defends. Photo by Apicephoto.com

Ryan Morris led Strath Haven (7-9, 4-8) with 13 points, while Cooper Driscoll supplied 10.

Webmaster’s note: The Marple Newtown vs Strath Haven game was our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard on our Archives link by clicking on the player below

Upper Darby’s win streak comes to end against Lower Merion

Magd Abdelwahab (above) and Upper Darby had a seven-game win streak ended by Lower Merion on Friday night. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

By Josh Verlin

Heading into this season, Upper Darby coach Bob Miller was confident his Royals would be able to turn it around after winning only six games a year ago. If only for one simple reason: he had his team coming back.

“We had two straight years where I had a lot of turnover; kids in, kids out, kids getting in trouble, stuff like that,” he said. “It was nice this year to come back to the court and basically know who my team was.”

After 17 years on the UD sidelines — and an earlier five-year run at Interboro — Miller was onto something.

Despite taking a 55-44 loss at the hands of Central League co-leader Lower Merion on Friday night, Upper Darby has already more than doubled its win total from a year ago, standing at 13-4 on the season, 8-4 in Central League play.

(click on this link for the full story)

Delco Boys Basketball Stat Leaders, Jan. 24

Penncrest’s Tyler Norwood goes up for a shot past the defense of Ridley’s Kyree Capers. (Digital First Media/Pete Bannan)

By Matthew DeGeorge

Scoring average

Mike Webb, Springfield 23.7
Vinny DeAngelo, Sun Valley 22.4
Tyler Norwood, Penncrest 22.3
Austin Laughlin, Garnet Valley 21.1
Isaiah Wong, Bonner & Prendergast 20.1
DaQuan Granberry, Chichester 20.0
Alex Capitano, Episcopal Academy 19.9
Christian Ray, Haverford School 19.1
Matt Dade, Episcopal Academy 18.4
Antwaun Butler, Cardinal O’Hara 18.3
Connor O’Brien, Garnet Valley 17.4
Michael Smith, Chester 16.2
Cooper Driscoll, Strath Haven 15.6
Carley Jones, Interboro 15.5
Kharon Randolph, Haverford School 15.3
Mike May, Marple Newtown 15.1
AJ Hoggard, Archbishop Carroll 15.0
Chris Nash, Penn Wood 15.0

(click on this link for all the Stat Leaders)