December 28 & 29, 2010
Conestoga
Germantown Academy
Central High of Philadelphia
Norristown
Opening night saw the Conestoga Pioneers upend the defending champions Germantown Academy Patriots 74-64. Coach Mike Troy’s Pioneers returned a veteran team with plenty of height. Despite missing a key player in Dexter Bridge (out of town on a football recruiting visit) Conestoga got off to a fast start. They scored 25 points in the second period, made 7 first half 3-pointers and led 37-23 at halftime. 6’4″ senior Dan Shine came off the bench and scored 11 straight unanswered points.
Germantown Academy charged out of the locker room after coach Jim Fenerty’s pep talk and his team tightened up the defense on Conestoga. GA out scored Conestoga 14-10 in the third frame. The back court duo of senior sharp shooter Jim Hammer (15 points) and sophomore Nick Linder (18 points) tried desperately to get GA back in the game pulling them within 6 points of Conestoga. The scoring pace picked up considerably in the 4th frame with teams trading baskets and each pouring in 25 points. Dan Shine had a career night tallying 26 points to go with double digit rebounds. Teammate Mackenzie Lavender who stands 6’6″ added board strength and chipped in with 11 points. Senior forward Harry Biemer was also in double figures with 11 points.
The second contest opening night matched up the Central High Lancers out of Philadelphia against the Norristown Eagles. Central High brought in a very young team under the reins of veteran coach Haviland Harper (over 300 career wins). Norristown was led by three seniors, 6’ Aaron Webb who is very quick, 6’3″ Maleek Williams who is the Eagles Mr. Everything and co-captain point guard Tyreese White. Coach Evans’ boys led 30-14 at halftime while putting lots of defensive full court pressure on the inexperienced Central guards.
White picked up the pace when his back court partner Rasheed Johnson hurt his leg and had to leave the game. Coach Evans looked down the bench and called on two sophomore guards Bernard Gordon and DaQuan Holcomb to come in and contribute to the winning cause. Webb turned in a team high 19 points, Williams added 15, White scored 14 in a well balanced attack. Jahquan Hargrove tossed in 7 points including a very deep three which got the Norristown crowd fired up. Norristown kept the tight defense on all night wearing down the Lancers and forcing numerous turnovers. The Eagles scored 20 points in the 4th period and won going away 63-32.
The second night of the Holiday Tournament drew a sparse crowd as many fans were disappointed they were not going to see a repeat of last years championship game Norristown versus Germantown Academy. Norristown held up their end of the bargain. GA coach Jim Fenerty was quoted at the pre-Tournament luncheon claiming that “Norristown was team to beat this year”. And he was right.
The preliminary game saw Germantown Academy sharp shooter Jimmy Hammer tossing in 18 points to lead the way to a 60-47 win over Philly Central. GA led Central 35-24 at the half. Helping the cause from GA was 6’5″ jumping jack sophomore Greg Dotson with 9 points, a basket full of rebounds and a couple of blocked shots. Teammates Greg Guers and lanky 6’8″ sophomore Julian Moore also chipped in with 9 points. Philly Central was led by senior guard Burt Bivings 14 points, aided by little 5’6″ spark plug Clinton Johnson and Justin Potter who both tallied 9 each.
The 2010 Triangle Tournament Championship game would pit the height of Conestoga against the quickness of Norristown. In this case, quickness was the winner, 65-52. Norristown claimed it’s sixth Triangle Championship in the last 7 years.
The 2010 version was the Webb and Williams Show. Both of them were all over the court. Aaron Webb paved the way with 17 points and a few key steals. Maleek Williams tossed in 14 points, played stellar defense and out quicked and out jumped many a Conestoga opponents.
Norristown only held a 29-24 halftime lead. The Eagles were again playing without senior captain Rasheed Johnson who was still nursing a leg injury from yesterdays game. But sophomore guard Bernard Gordon did everything coach Mike Evans asked of him. He scored 8 points and picked up a few big steals from the Conestoga guards.
The third quarter saw Conestoga cut the deficit to 35-30, but they could get no closer. The scoring pace picked up in the 4th period. Norristown’s 6’3″ forward Jahquan put on a shooting display and tossed in 9 straight points to help hold off the Pioneers.
Norristown outscored Conestoga 23-18 in the final frame, to nail down the championship 65-52.
Coach Mike Troy’s Conestoga team was paced by Danny Shine and Harry Biemer who both scored 13 points in a valiant effort. Norristown’s Maleek Williams was named Tournament MVP in which must have a been a close race with teammate Aaron Webb. Co-Captian Tyreese White scored 8 points, including 2 three pointers. Jahquan Hargrave ended the night with a strong 15 points, many of which came at a critical time in the game when Conestoga’s defense clamped down on the Webb and Williams Show.
