DOWNINGTOWN >> District 1 playoff basketball brings a different kind of intensity and enthusiasm to the teams that wish to advance. Friday night at Wagner Gymnasium, the host Downingtown West Whippets used a strong fourth period defensive effort to down the 18th seeded William Tennent Panthers, 68-58. The win puts the 15th seeded Whippets into Tuesday night’s second round as they will visit West Chester Henderson, the number two seed in District 1.
The Whippets (14-9) got a superlative 31 point, eight rebound game from junior star Donovan Fromhartz. The Whippets star was there whenever the Whippets needed a big basket to carry his team to the win. Junior big man Zeke Staz added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Whippets. The Panthers (15-9) were led by Chris D’Ambra, who poured in 22 points, including four three-pointers. The Whippets shot a red hot 22 for 45 from the field while the Panthers shot 21 for 51 from the field.
“The playoffs mean that the energy has to go up,” Fromhartz said. “And the leadership has to go up also. We have a great group of seniors and we are a team from the first man to the 17th man on this squad. I try to provide leadership for this team.”
The Whippets had a big size advantage inside over the Panthers with Fromhartz and Staz scoring inside all game. The Whippets held a 39-30 lead late in the third period, but the Panthers fought back to make it a slim three point Whippets lead, 50-47, at the end of the third period.
The fourth period saw the Whippets outscore the Panthers, 18-11, and the Whippets defense forced the Panthers off the three-point line in the fourth period. Tennent shot just four fro 13 from the field in the fourth period when the Whippets turned up the defensive pressure on the three-point line as the Panthers went zero for five from deep in the fourth period
“We knew they like to shoot the three-ball,” Fromhartz said. “And we wanted to push them off the line and contest their inside shots and that is what happened in the fourth period.
With the score tied 54-54 with 3:34 left in the fourth period, the Whippets went on a tear. Staz buried a short jumper to give the Whippets a 59-58 lead with 2:53 to play in the fourth period. The Whippets outscored the Panthers 11-0 to end the game
Tennent then came down the floor and misfired on a three-ball. Fromhartz grabbed the rebound and threw an outlet pass to Antonio Lewis, who then hit a streaking Fromhartz for a basket and a foul shot for a 62-58 Whippets lead with just 1:47 to play.
Tennent then misfired again on a long three-ball and Staz grabbed the rebound. The Whippets forced the ball inside to Staz, who got fouled and he hit one of two free throws for a 63-58 Whippets lead with 1:04 to play in the fourth period.
The Panthers, suddenly could not buy a basket and the Whippets ended the game by hitting five straight foul shots and it was Downingtown West who was marching on in the District 1 playoffs.
“We come to expect great performances from Donovan like he showed tonight,” Downingtown West coach Stu Ross said. “He is a three year starter and he watched Dylan Blair last year in district and state playoff games so he knows what it takes to win these types of games.
“And give William Tennent credit. They are a very good shooting team that loves to launch the three-pointer and in the fourth period we did a good job of defending what they like to do. So, now it is on to West Chester Henderson.”
Downingtown West 68, Wm.Tennent 58
WILLIAM TENNENT (58) Mooney 6 3-3 15, D’Ambra 8 2-2 22, Devine 4 0-2 9, Torok 0 1-2 1, Abunima 1 2-2 4, Bright 2 0-0 4, Stacuzzi 1 0-0 3. Totals 21 8-11 58.
DOWNINGTOWN WEST (68) Lewis 2 1-2 5, Barker 0 1-2 1, Staz 7 3-4 17, Fromhartz 8 13-15 31, Moore 3 0-0 7, Hicklin 1 0-0 2, Lasher 1 0-0 3, Weishar 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 18-25 68.
William Tennent 8 20 19 11-58
Downingtown West 15 16 19 18-68
3-point goals: D’Ambra 4, Devine, Fromhartz 2, Moore, Lasher.
