Delcohoops.com

By Matthew De George

For four years, John Harrar said Sunday, he’s been waiting for an opportunity like what was before him and his Strath Haven teammates: A Central League title shot, with the bonus of a little retribution against the Conestoga albatross that has plagued the last two resurgent years.

Harrar channeled every ounce of anticipation into a magisterial performance that left the Pioneers floored.

Harrar scored 25 points to go with 17 rebounds, two assists and two blocks as the Panthers controlled Conestoga, 62-54, in the Central League semis at Harriton High School Sunday.

The win moves fourth-seeded Haven (14-9) into Tuesday’s final against Lower Merion, which topped Penncrest, 53-51, in the nightcap. Tipoff at Marple Newtown is 8 p.m.

If Harrar played like a man possessed, then it was history monopolizing his attention. The Panthers lost in overtime to Conestoga this season and by one point in their regular-season meeting last year. At this stage of the Central League playoffs a season ago, the Pioneers clipped a 19-3 Panthers team, 42-40.

Six days later, Haven’s season abruptly ended in the first round of the District 1 tournament.

(click on this link for the full article)

(Webmaster’s note: The Strath Haven vs Lower Merion Central League Championship game is our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard LIVE Tuesday night. Click on our link on the left side of this page.)

By Zach Drapkin

With 8.4 seconds to go in a tie game, Lower Merion head coach Gregg Downer knew exactly whose number he was going to call.

Having held for the final shot, the Aces put the ball in the hands of senior wing Terrell Jones to break the deadlock with Penncrest and send them to the Central League championship game.

“You try to get your best player the ball in that situation,” Downer said. “He’s our best player and you try to give him the opportunity to make a play.”

After inbounding the ball to point guard Steve Payne, Jones dashed to the left wing, circled back behind Payne to take the dribble-handoff, and darted towards the lane.

He was supposed to take it to the rim, but with a Penncrest defender draped all over him, Jones decided to pull up and, falling backward, let one fly.

“It’s not my first time being around last-second shots, so I felt confident,” Jones said. “Whenever I got an open look, I was going to shoot it.”

The shot flew through the net just as the clock hit zero.

(click on this link for the full article)

(Webmaster’s note: The Lower Merion vs Strath Haven Central League Championship game is our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard LIVE Tuesday night. Click on our link on the left side of this page.)

 

By Matt Smith

Katie Mayock was not on the Conestoga team that lost to Springfield in last season’s Central League semifinal.

“There was a huge amount of revenge,” said Mayock, who transferred from Academy of Notre Dame.

Mayock did her part to ensure the Pioneers would not experience a bout of déjà vu Sunday afternoon at Harriton. The 6-4 junior center scored 14 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished two assists, had two blocks and made two steals in the Pioneers’ 34-25 victory.

Conestoga (20-3) will play Garnet Valley (20-2), which finished the regular season unbeaten in the Central League, for the championship Tuesday at Marple Newtown. Springfield (19-4) will have to wait more than a week to play its next game in the opening round of the District 1 Class 5A tournament. The Cougars earned the No. 1 seed.

Mayock asserted herself after halftime following a relatively quiet first half. She scored nine points and hauled in seven rebounds in the second half, when the Pioneers outscored the Cougars, 21-11.

(click on this link for the full article)

(Webmaster’s note: The Conestoga vs Garnet Valley Central League Championship game is our Game-of-the-Week and can be heard LIVE Tuesday night. Click on our link on the left side of this page.)

By Matthew De George

AJ Hoggard led a balanced attack with 14 points and dealt three assists as Archbishop Carroll closed out the Catholic League boys basketball regular season in dominant fashion Sunday afternoon, rolling to a 68-45 victory at Conwell-Egan.

Colin Daly added a dozen points, Khari Williams contributed 10 points and five rebounds, Justin Anderson checked in with eight points and five boards, and Jesse McPherson was a force in the paint — grabbing seven rebounds and blocking six shots to go along with his six points.

The Patriots (15-7 overall, 7-6 league) will open the PCL playoffs as the No. 7 seed Wednesday when they host No. 10 seed La Salle.

Bonner & Prendergast 74, Cardinal O’Hara 47 >> Justin Gans scored 16, Tymir Cooper netted 13 and Dylan Higgins and Ajiri Johnson added 10 points apiece as the Friars prepped for postseason play with an impressive performance.

Jaye’lyn Peebles led all scorers with 17 points for O’Hara, but it’s Bonner — as the No 8 seed — that will host Wednesday night’s Catholic League opening-round clash with No. 9 seed Conwell-Egan.

By Matthew De George

The District 1 Class 5A boys basketball tournament will feature six Delaware County schools. Somehow, the round of 16 games to be played Wednesday, Feb. 22 won’t include any of those teams encountering each other.

Via the final district power rankings released Sunday, Delco’s representation in 5A is perfectly staggered for teams to avoid each other, while Friday’s opening round of the 6A bracket includes both Delco qualifiers earning home games.
Chester (17-5) is the top seed in 5A and will host Upper Moreland in the first round on Feb. 22. Penncrest (16-6) is third, setting up an all-Central League affair with No. 14 Harriton.

The other four teams hit the road. Ninth-seeded Strath Haven (13-9) visits No. 8 Upper Merion. No. 10 Springfield (13-9) gets No. 7 Holy Ghost Prep. Glen Mills (12-10) ventures to West Chester Rustin as the 12 seed, while No. 13 Academy Park (12-10) meets Bishop Shanahan.

Game times will be made official when the brackets are Monday.

Marple Newtown (10-12) finished 17th, just outside the 16-team field.

(click on this link for the full article)

 

   

By Delcohoops.com Staff

 

Tuesday, February 14th – Marple Newtown High School – Admission $5.00 

Both championship games will be broadcast LIVE on Delcohoops.com!

6:00  Girl’s  Championship

Conestoga vs Garnet Valley

8:00  Boy’s Championship

Lower Merion vs Strath Haven

If you can’t make the game you can listen to it LIVE right here on Delcohoops.com.  The Girl’s game broadcast will start at 5:45 and the Boy’s game broadcast should start at 7:45.  We will produce them as two different broadcasts.