DeShields comes off bench, helps Chester Charter win title

LOWER MERION — His team with multiple options, a variety of talents and state championship aspirations, not necessarily in that order, Chester Charter basketball coach Daniel Spangler found himself with one early-season need.

He wanted a volunteer.

Sean DeShields raised his hand.

“I like coming off the bench,” the junior forward said.

So, he has. And so he did Saturday, providing energy, 14 points, around-the-basket offensive efficiency and effective foul shooting to help rally the Sabers to the District 1 Class A basketball championship with a 63-56 victory over The Christian Academy at Lower Merion High.

With Chester Charter trailing by seven at halftime, DeShields was critical in a second-half surge that would support the basketball adage that it doesn’t really matter who starts. With Damir Baez in second-half foul trouble after carrying the Sabers early with his three-point shooting, TCA was limited to four third-quarter points.

A free throw, a bucket and a feed from DeShields to Tyler Howard for a free throw in one quick third-quarter flurry helped signal Chester Charter’s intentions. His late drive and old-fashioned three-point play gave the Sabers a 42-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

They would not relinquish their lead.

Baez would pace Charter with 16 points, with DeShields adding 14. Grant Sareyka topped TCA with 17, with Jourdan Greene using efficient 8-for-14 shooting to add 16 points. Isaiah Mitchell chipped in with 13.

“It’s unusual,” acknowledged Spangler of any player’s preference to play from the bench. “But that’s the mentality of this team. They’re all good. But when Sean comes off the bench, it gives him an opportunity to see the game, see what I mean, and see where we’re at. Then he can just go and fly instead of trying to learn on the fly.”

What the Sabers saw early could not have been encouraging. With Sareyka scoring five first-quarter points, TCA used an active 2-3 zone and a relentless urgency to run to take early control. At that point, Chester Charter knew its depth would be of high value.

“We just wanted to keep working hard, stay as a team,” DeShields said. “If we did that, everything would fall through.”

Another seven points from Sareyka in the second quarter seemed to keep TCA in command. But Baez’s 10 first-half points would help keep Chester Charter close enough to remain confident.

By the fourth quarter, the Sabers began to create distance, with Breon Showell cutting into the lane and depositing a short jumper for a 53-47 lead with 3:41 left. A Sareyka free throw with 1:17 pulled the Crusaders to within a possession, but Tyler Howard and Malik Cook-Stevens were proficient enough from the line in the final minute to give Chester Charter its first district championship.

“I was concerned coming in that these kids don’t know what it means to win a district championship,” Spangler said. “They were just so relaxed. They didn’t say 10 words. But here I have Buzzy Wood on my bench as an assistant, and he has been at this for 30-some years, and this was his first district championship. It’s not easy. But we also have (former longtime Chester High assistant) Derrick Spence on our bench. He said, ‘I won 10.’”

Ten, one, something in between. Championships are difficult to win.

“I really wanted this one for our seniors,” said TCA coach Malik Walker. “It was the last opportunity for them to experience this. It’s hard to look them in the eye. I have zero words. We were unable to seal the deal.”

Yet both the 23-5 Crusaders and 18-6 Sabers will advance to PIAA Class A state tourney play. As for Spangler, he has heard for decades that, in his city, intermediate steps are welcome, but nothing truly matters until a state championship flag is hoisted.

“Of course,” Spangler said. “We’ve all heard that. And state championships are the bar in Chester. That’s just the way it is. But you can never forget what it takes to get there.”

Or the unselfish players who made it happen.