The 2023-24 edition of the Lower Merion High School boys’ basketball team was a special one, as the Aces captured their third PIAA District 1 6A championship in the past four years while posting a 28-2 record.
That impressive won-loss mark included a 19-game winning streak that took the Aces to a Central League title as well as the district championship. Lower Merion led the state in points per game, was undefeated at home and posted a 21-0 record against Central League opponents. The Aces made their 14th consecutive trip to the PIAA 6A state tournament, the longest current streak in PIAA 6A boys’ basketball
The only two games Lower Merion lost was a 65-62 defeat to Stow-Munroe Falls (Ohio) on Dec. 28, during a team trip to Arizona, and a 66-64 defeat to Archbishop Wood in the second round of the PIAA 6A state tourney.
Lower Merion featured an impressive amount of depth, as noted by Garnet Valley boys’ basketball coach Mike Brown (among others) following the District 1 6A championship game. Brown noted that the Aces probably had about 10 players who could play Division III college basketball.
It also has been said that this season might have been Gregg Downer’s best coaching job at Lower Merion, an impressive statement, given that Downer has 697 wins and three PIAA state championships during his Aces coaching career.
“This team had uncanny chemistry, guys that have grown up playing together, guys that did not hide from work, guys that loved to compete and win,” said Downer.
The Lower Merion coach said the Aces’ most important game of the season was the District 1 6A championship final, a 57-49 win against Garnet Valley.
“To win three of the past four District 1 titles means a lot to Aces Nation,” said Downer. “In this game our will to win was on display, including holding our opponent to three first-quarter points. Our best performance of the season was probably our win against Cedar Crest in the first round of the state tournament (an 85-55 victory).”
Downer also acknowledged the Aces’ superior depth.
“Throughout the year I will play seven or eight players in key moments,” said Downer. “This team was deep and had options beyond the eighth player.”
Leading the Aces this season was an impressive trio of senior guards – John Mobley, Owen McCabe and Adam Herrenkohl.
Mobley, a first team All-Central League selection, averaged 14.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.8 apg.
“John’s a great athlete, an emerging player who can do a little bit of everything, he’s a Swiss Army knife type of player,” said Downer. “In 5-10 games this year, he was the best player on the court by a wide margin.”
McCabe, a first team All-Central League pick, averaged 14.7 ppg and 2.8 apg, converted 68 treys, and had a better than 2:1 assists to turnover ratio.
“Owen is everything you want in a point guard – good defense, good shooting, good decision-making and good leadership,” said Downer.
Herrenkohl, a second team All-Central League selection, had an impressive stat line — 13.2 ppg, 4.7 apg, 5.8 rpg, 50 treys, 2.11 to 1 assist to turnover ratio, 47.6 percent from 3-point territory.
“Adam had a great season, and he excelled in all the statistical categories,” said Downer. “He had one of the finest top-to-bottom seasons in the history of our program.”
Other key contributors included senior Jayden Robinson (8.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), junior Carson Kasmer (9.9 ppg, 91.1 percent from free throw line, 55 treys, 47.4 percent from 3-point territory), senior Justin Mebane (4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Gus Wright (16 treys).
“Jayden is an emerging player who can do a lot of things with his massive wingspan,” said Downer. “Carson is a great shooter – a great weapon as starter or first sub – he played his role extremely well. Justin is a steady player who rebounds, contests shots and finishes near the rim. He’s a model person and student. Gus is a steady player off the bench who plays smart and defends with intensity.”
Following the Aces’ District 1 6A championship, several key players reflected on Lower Merion’s season.
“It’s been an amazing journey the past two months,” said Herrenkohl, who will be attending Baylor University in the fall. “At the end of the district final, it was just pure bliss – celebrating with my teammates, the coaches, the student section. We have just been working for this moment. All of us – managers, coaches, players — worked so hard to get here.”
McCabe said, “We have a great group of guys, all 15 of them have bought in. Last summer, we built a lot of (team) chemistry and we’re seeing it this season. We’ve played with each other for a while, and we know each other’s tendencies. Our chemistry is clicking, and it’s fun.”
Mobley said, “I think the biggest key for us this season has definitely been our unity. Being with each other (dinner, movies, etc.) outside of the game helped our chemistry a lot, and it kind of shows on the court that we’re just clicking.”
