Delcohoops.com

By Sean McBryan

Archbishop Carroll junior Alexis Eberz has the rare experience of knowing how it feels to end a season with a win or a loss.

As a freshman, she helped the Patriots win their first state title since 2012. Last year, Eberz and the Patriots fell in the quarterfinal round to Parkland. They prefer the former.

“I won my freshman year, so that’s obviously the goal,” Eberz said. “We want to win it. It’s awesome going [to Hershey’s Giant Center] and playing there in that environment.”

Eberz scored a game-high 23 points to move the Patriots one step closer to the Sweetest Place on Earth with a 60-41 victory over Wilson Tuesday night at Spring-Ford High School in the PIAA Class 6A second round.

Carroll advances to face Central Dauphin, which defeated Parkland 39-23 Tuesday, in the quarterfinals Friday.

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By Andrew Robinson

Four years together have turned into a matter of days in no time at all.

A year ago, the Fords had their season come to an end in Upper Merion’s palatial Valhalla Gymnasium and the team’s seniors weren’t keen on a repeat performance. Haverford’s quartet of fourth years have been through a lot together and they wanted to keep their march through March going, no matter the venue.

The seniors led the way on both ends, combining for 38 points and providing lockdown defense as the Fords stifled Downingtown East 44-24 in the second round of the PIAA Class 6A playoffs.

“We had to come out strong,” Fords senior Rian Dotsey said. “We keep wanting to extend our season and know any game could be our last game, so just coming out and playing as hard as we can is really important.”

With the win, Haverford moves on to Friday’s quarterfinal round against WPIAL champion Upper St. Clair, a 46-32 winner over Canon-McMillan. It’s the furthest the Haverford senior class has advanced in states after first round losses as freshmen and sophomores and last year’s second-round setback against Perk Valley.

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By Matt Smith

Riley d’Entremont has been the steady presence Radnor has relied on all season.

The lone senior on a Raptors squad that captured a District 1 Class 5A title and is now making a run in the state tournament, d’Entremont brings leadership, experience and a high basketball IQ to the floor. While she doesn’t always fill up the stat sheet, her impact is felt in countless ways that don’t show up in the box score.

A Gettysburg lacrosse commit, d’Entremont is savoring every moment of her final days on the hardwood.

“It’s been super cool,” she said after contributing six points, six rebounds and three assists in Radnor’s PIAA first-round victory over Northern York. “My role has definitely changed this season, it’s completely different than what it was last year. Being a senior and a captain, I’ve really had to become more of a speaking leader and encourage everyone. It was an adjustment at first, but it’s come so naturally. A lot of it is because of the girls around me. They are so hard working and we’re all so determined and on the same page. I’ve never won in states before. I’ve made it three times and this is the first time I’ve ever won a game. This being my senior year makes it really special.”

Radnor (19-8) looks to keep its postseason magic alive as it faces a familiar foe in Central League rival Strath Haven (14-13) Wednesday at Bensalem. Tip-off is 6 p.m.

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By CoBL Staff

Girls’ 5A
Radnor (1-1) vs. Strath Haven (1-5) (6:00 PM, Bensalem)
It’s a Central League rematch with a state quarterfinal berth on the line, which adds a whole extra dimension to this clash up at Bensalem. This is actually the fourth time they’ve met this season, with Radnor winning the first three: in the regular season by four and 18 points, then by 18 again in the District 1 5A quarterfinals. Strath Haven is young, with freshmen twin guards Maddie and Kenzie Fanning in the starting lineup and Ellie O’Connor coming off the bench while seniors Olivia Voshell (TCNJ), Kate Fox and Maryella Gill fill out the starting lineup. Radnor counters with a similarly guard-heavy lineup led by juniors Nyah Yao and Anna Reger, with forward Riley D’Entremont the team’s only senior; 6-foot sophomore Bree Simpson could be a difference-maker in this one as well. 

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By CoBL Staff

Out of Friday’s first-round PIAA state playoff games, 22 CoBL-area teams advanced to Tuesday’s second second round. 

Here’s a look at some of the more intriguing games involving local teams that night; a full list of contests can be found below:

Penncrest (1-5) vs. Holy Ghost Prep (1-2) (7:30 PM, Upper Merion)
These two met just three weeks ago in the District 1 5A quarterfinals, Holy Ghost Prep coming from down 14 points in the third quarter to ultimately beat Penncrest 52-48 in overtime, pulling off the upset on Penncrest’s court. Now they’ll meet in neutral territory with a spot in the state quarterfinals on the line. HGP had balanced scoring in that first matchup, senior Adrian Varella — one of nine on the team — had 14 points as six others hit the scoring column. But the Firebirds had problems with Lions junior forward Mikey Mita, who had a game-high 21 points. 

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By Matt Smith

 The same energy and determination that propelled Radnor to the District 1 Class 5A championship was on full display Saturday, despite a long layoff before the start of the PIAA tournament.

The Raptors hadn’t played a meaningful game since defeating Gwynedd Mercy on Feb. 25, an 11-day gap filled only with practices and scrimmages. But any concerns about rust quickly disappeared. Radnor picked up right where it left off, earning a 45-33 win over Northern York in the first round of the state playoffs that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated.

Radnor (19-8) moves on to play Central League rival Strath Haven (14-13) in an all-Delco matchup Wednesday night at a neutral site.

Perhaps what emboldened the Raptors was the chance to play one final game on their home floor, a court senior leader Riley d’Entremont called “my favorite court I’ve ever played on.”

“As a senior, I wanted to go out with a bang,” d’Entremont said. “So, it was super special to do it in this manner, with this team, and with all of my family here.”

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