Lower Merion boys’ basketball team enjoyed memorable campaign

Ardmore – The Lower Merion High School boys’ basketball squad faced some tough challenges entering the 2015-16 season. The Aces were returning only one starter, had five freshmen on the roster, and faced the toughest schedule in the PIAA District One power index.
But led by head coach Gregg Downer (who notched his 500th career win, tops among active Class AAAA coaches), the Aces earned their sixth straight PIAA state playoff appearance (the longest active Class AAAA streak in the state) as well as their third trip to the District 1 Final Four in the last five years, and won a program-best five overtime games.
Asked what made the 2015-16 Aces special, Downer replied, “Strong senior leadership, and resiliency, fighting off eight or nine overtimes this year.”
One of the Aces’ senior leaders was 6-foot-8 forward Jeremy Horn, a dominant inside force who averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while receiving All-Central League honors. He will be playing basketball for Division 3 Claremont (Calif.) next winter.
“[Horn] is a greatly improved player, with outstanding finishing skills near the rim,” said Downer. “He will be a factor in D3, as his best basketball days are ahead of him.”
Another key senior was guard KJ Helton, a third-year varsity player who averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 assists while receiving All-Central League honors.
“[Helton] is a great athlete, and one of key leaders of the team,” said Downer.
Senior 5-foot-9 guard Zach Magill gave the Aces some quality minutes this season and hopes to continue his basketball career at West Chester University.
“Zack is a tough-as-nails teammate and competitor,” said Downer.
Senior 6-foot-2 forward Eli Needle also made some vital contributions.
“[Needle] was a great teammate and key leader – he did all the dirty work and is one of our all-time program leaders in charges taken,” said Downer.
The Aces’ leading scorer was Terrell Jones, a first team All-Central League selection who averaged 14.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
“He’s an electric offensive player who can score in a lot of ways, and he has a high basketball intellect,” Downer said of Jones.
Another junior who will be back for the Aces next winter was 6-foot-1 guard Noah Fennell, an All-Central League performer who averaged 10.5 points per game, and hit on 47 percent of his three-pointers, nailing 66 treys.
“Noah is the best shooter in this history of our program, and he’s a hard worker,” said Downer.
Another junior who saw considerable playing time this season was 6-foot-6 forward Dion Harris, whom Downer calls, “A great athlete and solid rebounder.”
Downer also praised the rest of the underclassmen Aces – 6-foot-2 junior Sean Ryan, junior guard Najja Walker-X, sophomore 6-foot-2 forward Deion Davis, and freshman guards Jack Forrest, Theo Henry, Matt O’Connor, Steve Payne and Darryl Taylor – saying, “They were all invested players, working hard in practice and preparing for future success.”