Germantown Academy makes quick work out of EA in PAISAA quarterfinals

A lot comes to mind when giving thought to the elements of a winning basketball team: coaching, experience, size, raw ability, and the list goes on. Having fun is also important.

Or maybe having fun is a byproduct of a winning basketball team. Either way, Germantown Academy head coach Sherri Retif has certainly picked up on it throughout the course of the season, in which the Patriots have won 25 games and counting. Saturday’s 61-42 win over Episcopal Academy sends them to the semi-finals of the PAISAA tournament, which concludes next weekend at Montgomery County Community College. 

“They are the most fun team [I have coached] by far,” Retif said. “They all get along and they like each other on and off the court. Our chemistry is just so easy to work with because they care about each other. “They are just so much fun to be around.”

Germantown’s balance and depth were on display as they have been for much of the season. Only two scorers finished in double figures but four other players had at least five points. Senior guard Jaye Haynes had 20 points and junior center Becca Booth had 10. Retif was able to pull her starters and empty out the bench in the fourth quarter once the game was noticeably in-hand. 

Episcopal kept it close in the first quarter, looking up at only a five-point deficit at the first intermission. Germantown did irreparable damage in the second quarter, though, outscoring the Churchmen 23-8 and taking a 39-19 lead into halftime. 

“Overall, we did a pretty job of pushing the ball up court and defending,” Retif said. “I think we gave up a few too many buckets in the first quarter, but we responded with more aggressive defense.”

Haynes continues to shine

Jaye Haynes is Germantown Academy’s leading scorer and she was at the forefront of the Patriots’ offensive attack yet again in the win over Episcopal, leading all scorers with 20 points. 

Haynes has had a storied career at Germantown, amassing over 1,400 career points. 

“[Germantown Academy] is like home to me,” Haynes said. “I’ve been here since I was five [years old]. So, I’ve watched the program evolve from lower school, to middle school, to finally being on this team. It’s definitely just a very special place.”

She will head to North Philly in the fall and don blue and gold for La Salle University. 

“I’m super excited about rebuilding [the La Salle program] and I love my teammates so far,” Haynes said. “I’m really excited to play in the A-10 and play against [Germantown] alumni like Cat Polisano (Fordham) and Rachel Balzer (George Mason).”

And is she looking forward to playing at the Palestra?

“Oh yeah,” Haynes said. “Definitely.”

With experience comes chemistry

The Patriots have the luxury of starting three seniors and two juniors. Episcopal, for context, started three sophomores. 

“[Episcopal] is a lot younger than we are and it’s great to have so many seniors in our lineup,” Retif said. “It’s a good feeling because they play off of each other so well.”

Experience is perhaps the driving influence that separates this version of the Patriots from Haynes’ first three seasons at Germantown. 

“All the seniors have been playing with each other since freshman year,” Haynes said. “Our chemistry is just at a really high level right now.”

Priore leaves with an injury

Germantown Academy senior forward Caitlyn Priore left the game with an apparent knee injury with 1:56 left in the first half and did not return. She collided with an Episcopal player as they battled for a 50/50 ball. 

Priore, a Gettysburg College commit, is one of three starting seniors for the Patriots. Her status could have an impact on the remainder of the PAISAA tournament. 

Retif said the team keeps a surgeon on the bench but that Priore will get additional testing.

Statistics 

Germantown Academy – 61

Episcopal Academy – 42

GA  16   23 15     7 

EA  11     8 9     14 

GA (61) Haynes 20, Booth 10, Bennett 8, Moore 6, Vizza 6, Priore 5, Dilello 4, Burns 2.

EA (42) Cassidy 14, Piselli 11, G. Keffer-Scharpf 6, Purcell 3, McCreary 3, Sillo 3, R. Keffer-Scharpf 2.