Westtown / Phelps Classic Notes:
Payne and Otto too much for Mercersburg Academy
The first game between The Perkiomen School (Pennsburg) and Mercersburg Academy featured a boatload of prospective student-athletes. Perk lead from start to finish in this one, eventually pulling away for the 64-47 victory. Steve Payne (3-6 FG 1-4 3PT 8-9 FT) and Gil Otto (6-8 FG 1-5 3PT 2-2 FT) combined for 34 of the teams 64. Otto poured in 13 of his 17 in the first half, starting the game demonstrating his explosive offensive arsenal. He is lightning quick off of his feet and an absolute monster attacking the rim. Mercersburg Academy trailed at the half 36-27. K Owen scored 8 of his 16 in the first stanza. In the defeat, Quinton Metcalf (15 pts) and AJ Green (8 pts) showcased elite level athleticism, a propensity to defend and a desire to attack. Both demonstrated “WOW” moments with big-time moves from the wing into the lane on the attack. However, this was not enough as Payne’s 8-9 free-throw performance would not allow Mercersburg to claw back into the game in the second half. For the Perk School, Honor Huff was 3-6 from deep for 9 points and William Johnson finished with 7 connecting on 1-4 from downtown. The glue guy was Andrew Patnode (6 pts). Patnodes contribution to the team went well beyond scoring. This kid is a stud, he rebounds it, makes all the hustle plays and defends with a passion. Mercersburg also had solid production from sophomore Chris Watson. Watson did a good job of handling the ball and knocked down the open shot, finishing the game 2-4 from three point territory. Junior Jake Ahlgren scored 9 of his 11 in the 4th period.
West Nottingham defeats Covenant College Prep in Overtime
West Nottingham after being locked at 57’s with Covenant College Prep pulled out the victory 67-64 behind the stellar play of Yan Farell. Farell tossed in 22, non bigger than a late three ball in overtime.
No pollsters needed, Westtown is PA’s Finest this weekend
Kiski Prep (Saltsburg), coming off of an impressive victory over fellow Western PA foe First Love Christian Academy (Washington) the night before, knew they faced a juggernaut in the Westtown (West Chester). The Westtown Moose showed the energy and desire to put this one away early too, after an anti-climatic 10 point victory over RockTop Academy (Philadelphia) the night before. Westtown imposed their will at both ends of the floor. Especially the defensive end! The Moose allowed Kiski only 3 field goal attempts in the paint in the entire first half. The sheer length and athleticism on the defensive end tied Kiski in knots. Kiski Prep’s bright spot was 2020 Noreon Williams (Syracuse, NY), who put on a shooting display, going 6-8 shooting from deep in the first half alone. The rest of the team was 1-8 up to that point and contributed only 5 points collectively. Williams finished with 9 triples and 29 points for the game. Westtown’s imposing 1-2-2 defense rendered it nearly impossible to reverse the ball, penetrate/pass into the lane or garner an open look. The top of the zone featured 6-8 Pitt commit Noah Collier, making reversing the ball and shifting the defense obsolete. The wings 6-5 Jalen Warley (13 pts), 6-4 TJ Berger (19 pts) & 6-4 Wade Chiddick covered and contested everything in sight. But that back line…. WOW, that back line of the defense is where any and all mistakes are erased in a hurry!!! 6-11 Franck Kepnang and 7-0 Dereck Lively II cover the corners, the wings and get back to protect the rim as quick as most kids slide for side to side in the lane!!! Its just different… We recommend you get out and see different while you can. Here is a link to Westtown’s schedule (Click Here)