Upper Merion shocks Plymouth Whitemarsh
UPPER MERION >> Plymouth Whitemarsh is unbeaten no more.
Upper Merion defeated the Colonials, 57-43, Tuesday night at Upper Merion Area High School in Suburban One League American Conference action.
“It’s cool because a lot of people look at this game and they’re like, ‘Why even come?’” Upper Merion coach Jason Quenzer said. “But I’ll tell you what – these kids – they’re awesome. I love this team. This is fun. From the beginning – they just wanted it and they went out and got it.”
“We’re feeling pretty good,” UM’s Aidan Newell said. “Our confidence is up high now. We’re playing as a team and every game we’re getting better.”
PW’s Mike Lotito made a layup with 5:55 left in the game to give the Colonials (15-1, 8-1) a 43-42 lead. Upper Merion then finished the game on a 15-0 run.
Forward Matt Faw made an acrobatic layup with five minutes left in the game to give the Vikings (10-5, 5-4) a one-point edge and from there it was all about free throws.
The Vikings went 13-for-14 from the charity stripe to close out the game while PW went 0-for-5 over the same stretch.
“Ice in your veins, knock down shots,” Quenzer said. “That’s how you win basketball games, especially close ones against good teams. You knock down your free throws. Fortunately for us they didn’t and that kind of kept us in the game. Once you saw that separation start, they start believing a little more.”
Newell led the charge, going 8-for-8 on free throws to finish off the upset. His first four took the game from a one-possession gme to two and two-possession to three.
“I have to knock it down,” Newell said of his mindset heading into the free throws.
Ethan Miller and Christ Carita were also perfect at the free-throw line to ice the game – going 2-for-2 – and Faw went 1-for-2.
“We missed 11 foul shots (in the game) and probably five layups in the fourth quarter alone – maybe 15 total,” PW coach Jim Donofrio said. “It’s basketball. It’s sports. It’s an Upper Merion team that takes Cheltenham to two points at their place and is quietly gaining more and more confidence and you’re coming to their place on a Tuesday night.
“I thought our guys were terrific. The Upper Merion kids made every foul shot they took. They did what you’re supposed to do when you’re trying to establish something. You always have to respect the hunger of everybody that plays you … I think that we were emotionally off and they were where the needed to be.”
The victory gives Upper Merion more reason to believe they can make the District One AAAA playoffs with a strong finish to the season.
“We haven’t had a chance at the 4A playoffs in forever,” Quenzer said. “Our goal coming into the season was 12 (wins) and we thought we could get there because of what we saw in the summer – all the progress. You want more than that. At this point, our goal is to get to the playoffs for the first time and then we’ll go from there.”
“It’s really big,” Newell said of the win. “That’s one of the top teams in the state. We’re trying to get our confidence up and chemistry up going into the playoffs.”
PW entered the final quarter with a one-point lead, 39-38, but Newell sunk two foul shots in the first minute of the frame to give his side the edge.
The teams traded one-point leads until Faw gave Upper Merion the advantage for good with five minutes left.
Faw led the Vikings in scoring with 17 points, Newell tallied 14 and Miller 10.
Lotito paced the Colonials with 16 points, Xzavier Malone scored 11 and Kevin Ashenfelter had eight.
Upper Merion got out to a hot start, opening the game with a 10-3 run – with Faw scoring eight of those points – and led after the first quarter by nine, 19-10.
“That kind of calms the nerves a little bit,” Quenzer said of Faw’s early scoring. “You’re anxious, then he goes and does what he does best – put the ball in the bucket. He just has a finesse about him and it sends a message – we belong in this game. He’s a phenomenal player, but it was all team tonight. Every single one of them played a part and weathered the storm.”
PW opened the second quarter on a 10-0 run to take a one-point lead and the teams entered the half tied at 26. Neither team gained much separation until Upper Merion did in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
Both teams are back in action against SOL American opponents Friday night at 7 p.m. Plymouth Whitemarsh hosts Wissahickon and Upper Merion travels to Norristown.
