By Josh Verlin
There was a feeling that Upper Merion waited an entire year and a few extra days to try and experience. It was elusive, teasing, leaving the Vikings unsure all season long whether or not they would get a chance to taste it.
And then finally, it came, as sweet as ambrosia.
Redemption.
Emotion hit the Vikings like a wave at the final buzzer of their District 1 5A first-round home game against Strath Haven on Wednesday night, as a group whose season ended in disappointment in that same gym a year ago finally got to taste postseason success with a 55-45 win.
Matt Faw (above) and Upper Merion won their first district playoff game in 12 years on Wednesday night. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
“Best feeling in the world,” senior forward Ethan Miller said. “This is the climax of our careers, and hopefully it keeps going up.”
Last year, Upper Merion walked out of its gym with its heads hanging after getting upset by Academy Park in the first round of the District 1 AAAA tournament, which had been the state’s largest classification.
After that loss, Upper Merion coach Jason Quenzer stayed optimistic, knowing that he had the vast majority of his rotation — including his best three players — back the following year.
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