Plymouth Whitemarsh dismantles Cheltenham

WHITEMARSH — The fourth-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh boys basketball team looked every bit the 20-win Suburban One League American Conference Champion Friday night in the first round of the District One AAAA playoffs when it dismantled 29th-seeded Cheltenham, 73-33, at Colonial Gym.

The Colonials (21-2) were led by senior Andre Mitchell, who looked every bit the tri-captain and returning all-league guard that he is. Mitchell scored a game-high, season-high and career-playoff-high 27 points. He was 11-of-13 from the free-throw line and scored at least five points in each quarter.

“In warmups, my shot was a little bit off,’ Mitchell said, “so I wanted to get to the foul line a lot, which I did a good amount.

“(Cheltenham has) such aggressive point guards and great bigs. I know that I have to go into the lane, pump fake and try to get fouled.’

PW coach Jim Donofrio points to last year’s playoff loss to Central Bucks West as what led to Mitchell’s big game.

“You’re just looking at three years of varsity experience,’ Donofrio said. “He just gives you a look now, like senior star guards do, like ‘ we’re OK.”

Senior Jimmy Murray and junior Xzavier Malone joined Mitchell in double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively, and Devon Monteiro-Gray chipped in with nine.

The Colonials’ defense should not be overlooked in the 40-point win. Cheltenham was held to quarters of nine, six, eight and 10 points.