Devon Prep’s Lucas Orchard is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The junior guard, a second team All-Main Line boys basketball selection as a sophomore last winter, is averaging 21 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 spg and 5 apg (as of Dec. 27) as the Tide began its 2021-22 season 3-0 with wins against Episcopal Academy, Springside Chestnut Hill and Haverford School. His mother, Bridget Orchard, is the softball head coach at Villanova University, where the Wildcats won the program’s first-ever Big East title last May. Devon Prep basketball head coach Jason Fisher said, “Lucas is one of the most well-rounded players in southeastern Pennsylvania. He has constantly improved all facets of his game by working all the time. He has built himself into a scholarship-level player, and the sky is the limit for him.”

 

Q: What aspect of your game do you feel you improved the most in the off-season?

 

A: I worked a lot on my strength and being stronger with the ball.  Now I feel very confident in my ability to get into the paint and not get bumped off the ball. 

 

Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. Who have been your most important basketball mentors; and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

 

A: I started playing in New York before moving to Pennsylvania.  My dad got me involved in AAU in 4th grade and I loved it.  In New York I had a lot of great coaches and teachers, but Coach Lee Joffe helped me develop my skills and Coach Jay Lee introduced me to high level competition and helped give me the confidence that I can play with anybody. Since moving to Pennsylvania, my biggest basketball influence has been Coach Fisher.  He has helped my game develop in so many ways and taught me many of the finer points of basketball including the importance of being a great teammate and doing the little things like taking charges.  I’ve also worked a lot on my skill development with CJ Scott, who has helped me develop my on-ball skills.

 

 

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

 

A: I think my versatility is the strongest part of my game.  I can contribute in many ways other than scoring to help my team win, including rebounding, finding open teammates, and getting steals. I really want to improve my lateral quickness and on-ball defensive skills.

 

 

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?

 

A: Julius Randle plays for my favorite team, the New York Knicks.  He was the most valuable player on the best team the Knicks have had in a long time and made it really fun to watch Knick basketball again.

 

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Devon Prep? What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?

 

A: I really like History and my favorite course is AP American History.  I’m not sure what I want to major in at college yet, but I do think I want basketball to be a part of my life, whether that is as a coach, trainer, or player. 

 

 

Fun facts – Lucas Orchard

Favorite movie:  The Hangover.

Favorite athlete:  Najee Harris.

Favorite teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Knicks

Favorite place to visit:  Aruba.

Favorite pre-game meal:  Sausage egg breakfast sandwich.

Pre-game preparation routine: “Before every game I try to relax a little by listening to music and eating a protein bar.  I try to get myself mentally focused and think about what I want to do on the court before every game.”

Person I most admire, and why: “My dad – he’s always been there for me in basketball and life.”

Family members: parents Jason and Bridget, brother Zach (15) and sister Isabelle (11).

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)