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By Matthew De George

The pendulum had swung back and forth in the final 10 minutes Friday afternoon, from a 12-point Episcopal Academy lead to a three-point edge for Abraham Lincoln High School. So when the Churchmen pushed the ball up the floor in the waning seconds of a tie game, Alex Capitano knew to be ready.For quite what, he wasn’t exactly sure. But when Jack O’Reilly’s missed layup found him on the weak-side glass, he figured it out in a hurry.

The sophomore wing cleaned up the mess with the hoop and a foul, scoring the final three decisive points in a 69-66 nonleague win for EA, capping a wild and not always well-played affair marred by turnovers, fouls and a little late intrigue.

Capitano finished with a game-high 23 points, restoring his dynamic partnership with Dade after both had missed time with injuries. Dade added 22 points and led the Churchmen in the other four statistical categories: Rebounds (six), assists (four), steals (two) and blocks (three).

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By Matthew DeGeorge

Kharon Randolph scored 19 points, including the 1,000th of his career, but Haverford School fell to Neumann-Goretti, 62-53, in the All-City Classic Friday.

Randolph hit five 3-pointers in the game. Christian Ings led Neumann-Goretti with 17 points, earning team MVP honors for the Saints.

In the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Classic:

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By Josh Verlin

Through the first three quarters of Sanford School’s game against Chester High School in the finale of the four-game Rondae Jefferson Classic, Jyare Davis had done just about nothing. That’s not typical for the 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, a burgeoning high-major prospect with offers already from Big East and ACC programs, who’s often his team’s leading scorer, rebounder and distributor despite his youth.

“I’m not really sure [why],” hey said afterwards. “(Chester) took me out of my groove early on, and I never got into a rhythm.”

Just when it looked like the Warriors were going to leave the Clip Joint still in search of their first win of the year, Davis snapped out of his funk. He scored eight points in the fourth quarter as Sanford mounted its comeback, including a game-tying 3-pointer to force an extra period. Two more Davis treys in overtime were a big reason the Warriors came away with a 68-59 win over the Clippers.

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By PA Prep LIVE

When Haverford’s offense is at its best, it’s all about balance. That and a little timely shooting doesn’t hurt.

Jake Ruane provided it Thursday with 14 points, one of three Fords in double-figures as Haverford notched its first win of the season, 54-48, over Garnet Valley.

The win is the first for Haverford in the league since Jan. 30, 2016, a span of 21 contests.

Ruane was one of five Fords to hit a 3-pointer, as did JT Smyth (11 points) and Dan Roe (12 points). Luke Verzella chipped in seven points for Haverford (1-4, 1-3 Central).

Connor O’Brien led Garnet Valley (2-2, 2-1) with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Greg Vlassopoulos chipped in 14 points on a night where 1,000-point man Austin Laughlin was limited to seven.

Also in the Central League:

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By Steve Moore

You do not get any style points in basketball, all that matters are Ws and Ls.Thursday night at Great Valley, the host Patriots were unable to solve the shooting woes that have plagued them in the early going, but they had enough defense and grit to beat a game Sun Valley squad, 40-36, for a big Ches-Mont American Division victory that keeps Great Valley undefeated in league play.

The Patriots (3-0 Ches-Mont, 4-3 overall) never trailed in the game, but Sun Valley (0-3, 2-4) never seems to go away and the Vanguards were led by junior Vinny Dangelo, who led all scorers with 17 points. Great Valley held a 28-24 lead after three quarters, after the teams combined for only eight points quarter with bricks flying for both teams. Sun Valley also turned the ball over 14 times in the contest.

“It was not easy,” Great Valley coach Paul Girone said. “Coming into the season we figured our strength was our outside shooting but we have not shot well yet this season. It is very baffling, but we have to figure it out.”

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By Mike Drago

Ricki Lopez didn’t have to be told twice.He had an off night at Coatesville last week, heard about it and responded.

Reading High’s senior center came back with a big game Friday against La Salle College and was even more instrumental Tuesday, grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds as the Red Knights sprinted past visiting Chester 65-48 in their home opener.

“My mindset was be strong, be more active, box out, get on the boards,” Lopez said. “Like my coach (assistant J.T. Randall) said: ‘Touch bodies.’ That’s the big thing.”

Lopez threw his sizable 6-4 frame around against the Clippers (1-2), on the glass and in the open court.

He had five offensive boards, a pair of assists and came up with a key steal that sparked a 10-0 first-half run.

Later he brought the crowd at the Geigle to its feet when he took a pass from R.J. Dixon in transition and finished with a dunk.

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