Lower Merion girls finish second at inaugural Aces Shootout

Ardmore >> Lower Merion girls’ basketball head coach Monique Boykins is always looking for creative ways to get more publicity for her sport.
Following some productive discussions with her coaching staff and Lower Merion acting athletic director Jason Stroup, the Aces Shootout – a two-day tournament featuring Lower Merion, Academy at Pulumbo, Bishop McDevitt and Constitution High School was created.
“I felt like girls’ basketball needs to be uplifted especially in this area,” said Boykins, during the first game of the tournament between Constitution and McDevitt Dec. 28. “I feel there are not many all-girls tournaments and I wanted to rejuvenate just like the Play-By-Play Classic held at Jefferson University. I wanted to bring that type of atmosphere here to Lower Merion.
“It’s a good time for girls to see other girls play and maybe even get some younger players to come out and get encouraged to play.”
Following McDevitt’s victory over Constitution to open the action, it was time for the young Aces to take the court as the host of their own holiday tournament for the first time since 2014. Prior to that, the Aces hosted a tournament in 2005 sponsored by the Rotary Club.
The youthful Aces hung tough and overcame a slow start, outscoring the visitors 26-9 over the second and third quarters to earn a 47-32 win.
Lower Merion sophomore captain Bridget McCann said, “Playing as the host was a little nerve-wracking ,but it was also really exciting because it has been a long time since we had our own tournament and we get to show other teams what we have against teams that we don’t have the opportunity to play.”
Fellow sophomore Ellie O’Keefe added, “It was really nice to play at our own gym. Saying that we are bringing other schools to our own gym, it was really nice that we could show who we are as a team and that we wanted to represent the school and the tournament.”
While it would have been special to bring home the title in the Aces shootout, the Royal Lancers from Bishop McDevitt played the spoiler, handing the hosts a hard fought 49-36 loss the following day. Trailing 33-28 heading into the fourth quarter, the visitors outscored the hosts 16-8 to secure the win and prevent the hosts from the taking the crown.
As the season heads into the new calendar year, the Aces will continue to grow and use this tournament as great preparation for Central League play.
“We know we are a young team,” said O’Keefe. “The energy and positivity from Coach Boykins and the coaching staff is key. They always stay positive and we know it’s going to take time.”
McCann added, “The other captains and I just try to reassure the team that every loss makes us better and we just have to stick together. Playing teams out of the Central League will make us better and hopefully this tournament will continue to grow and get better.”