Friends League Semifinals: Defense does it for ANC in victory over George School
BRYN ATHYN — Long before he made one clutch shot after another in a tension-packed fourth quarter Tuesday night, Elmarko Jackson was already putting his own personal stamp on this contest.
The junior guard for Academy of the New Church played a brand of defense that has the Lions advancing to the Friends League Finals.
“The first time we played George School, we got the win (72-69), but I felt like I could have played better,” Jackson said. “Christian Bliss had 26 points on us the first time we played them so my job – at least in my mind – was shutting him down and limiting his touches.”
Jackson’s defense was so persistent and decisive that Bliss was held to five points in the first half. He would be limited to 13 in all, a key factor in ANC’s thrilling 58-55 semifinal victory over the Cougars at a packed and raucous Asplundh Field House.
“We didn’t necessarily play our best offensive game,” Jackson said, “but we made up for it on defense.”
The victory advances ANC to Friday night’s final against Westtown at La Salle University.
Said Jackson: “I feel like this game really prepares us.”
ANC kept its cool during a fourth quarter that saw the lead change hands seven times.
Jackson’s three from the top of the key pushed the Lions in front, 42-40, at the start of the final frame.
The contest swung back and forth, with Jackson making a tough, baseline jumper that again propelled the Lions into the lead, 48-47.
Onyekachi Nzeh’s 23 points, including a 6-for-6 performance from the line in the fourth, were huge for George School, but Keel hit a three for ANC, providing a 51-49 edge, and later Jackson’s jumper deadlocked things at 53 apiece. His jump shot and ensuing free throw completed a pivotal three-point play, providing a 56-55 advantage with just 1:17 to go.
“That’s every player’s dream,” Jackson would say afterwards, “when it becomes crunch time, to make shots.”
Fittingly, defense did it for the Lions in the final minute.
ANC came up with several key stops, and two free throws by Isaiah Milien made it 58-55 with five seconds left.
The Lions didn’t allow anyone to come free on George’s final chance, and a desperation pass sailed high out of bounds.
“We made it hard on everybody and I think it was a great team effort,” Jackson said.
The two teams battled to a 7-7 tie after one.
The offenses started to find their way in the second quarter, with Milien hitting a pair of threes for the Lions.
Keel scored on a rebound and Anthony McCall (11 points) drove for two, keeping ANC on pace.
Dante Weise sank two 3-pointers for the Cougars, including one that provided a 25-24 edge in the final seconds of the first half, but Dylan Coq’s fadeaway jumper ensured ANC took a 26-25 lead into the break.
Friends League Semifinals
Academy of the New Church 58,
George School 55
George School 7 18 15 15 – 55
ANC 7 19 13 19 – 58
George: Christian Bliss 4 2-4 13; Kyle Anderson 1 2-4 4; Dante Weise 2 0-0 6; Onyekachi Nzeh 7 8-10 23; Gestin Liberis 2 5-6 9. Totals 16 17-24 55.
ANC: Anthony McCall 4 3-8 11; Jarell Keel 3 2-6 9; Elmarko Jackson 7 1-1 17; Isaiah Milien 2 2-2 8; Gabe Harris 4 1-3 9; Dylan Coq 1 2-2 4. Totals 21 11-22 58.
3-pointers: G-Bliss 3, Weise 2, Nzeh; A-Keel, Jackson 2, Milien 2.
