City of Basketball Love

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)
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WARMINSTER — Ben Malley came sprinting down the court with an ill-favored look that gradually transitioned into a slight smirk. 

He stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to secure West Chester Rustin’s 62-56 victory over Bensalem in the Diane Mosco Shootout at Archbishop Wood High School. It was vindication for this upstart, 5-foot-10 junior guard who was unable to put everything together last season due to a nagging high ankle sprain that lingered throughout the year.

“That was pretty tough to fight through,” Malley said. “I was in pain almost every practice fighting through. I’m glad to be back and healthy.”

Malley poured in an impressive stat line of 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Those 27 points were a career-high for a player who swung JV and varsity as a sophomore, but that ankle sprain caused him to miss a few games and limited his playing time and development.

Head coach Vince Mostardi knew Malley needed to have this type of game and furthermore, West Chester Rustin (3-1) needed him to come through.

“This is his breakout game, and we needed him to have a breakout game," Mostardi said. “He’s going to be our floor general and a guy who controls the game. We’re asking him to do a lot from being a playmaker to an elite defender.”

Malley poured in 16 points in the first half, but he dominated in the fourth quarter with 11 of the Knights’ 21 points. He hit his patented runner in the lane then converted an and-one to make it 48-46 with 6:13 left to play. He gave West Chester Rustin its first lead since the first quarter by sprinting down the court and finishing with the left hand to live up to his nickname “Jet.” 

For Malley, every basket provided a burst of energy, and with his confidence building, it trickled down to other areas of his game and the team as a whole.

“When I get in the lane, I see everyone open,” Malley said. “It’s just easy to kick out to shooters, and with Chaz Davis being so tall, I can lob it up to him and it’s an easy layup every time.”

At 6-8, Davis was the biggest player on the court and played like it with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Davis finished inside then later hit a baseline jumper to tie the game at 56-56 with 1:39 remaining, and the Knights closed out the game on an 8-0 run with Malley’s lob to the senior big man igniting the Rustin faithful on hand.

This was a huge response from a team with one returning starter from a District 1 Class 5A semifinal appearance and subsequent PIAA state tournament berth, and Mostardi was pleased with that after trailing by six at halftime.

“We have a complete team with guys who trust each other,” Mostardi said. These guys have been playing together for two years now, and they’re really starting to trust each other. It’s great to see that early on in the season.”

Bensalem (4-1) suffered its first loss of the season after gaining momentum early in the second half. Noah Morris drilled two 3-pointers in the third quarter, and his brother, Antonio Morris (11 points), had a pair of baskets in the third to give the Owls a 48-43 lead. Jaidyn Moffitt battled Davis and, while only 6-1, the junior forward finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds. He absorbed contact with Davis and finished an and-one to give the Owls a 54-52 advantage with 3:19 left. 

Malley answered that with a smooth pull-up from the left elbow. Micah White gave Bensalem its last lead of the day with a layup on the right side, then the Knights closed things out in strong fashion. 

It was a long sophomore season for Malley, but improved strength and conditioning in the offseason are already paying dividends.

“I focused a lot on my strength this summer, “ Malley said. “I’ve put on about 15-20 pounds since last year by growing a little bit and getting stronger. I’ve always been able to shoot, but now with my quickness I’m trying to drive by and bump through guys for layups.”

The Owls controlled things in the first half as Amir Drummond came off the bench and scored eight of his 13 points in the opening quarter while Moffitt added eight of his own. Malley was equally as good with two 3-pointers and eight points. Bensalem created some separation in the second as Nate Cooper (seven points, eight rebounds, three steals) canned a trey from straightaway off the glass then finished a putback for a 27-21 lead.

The Knights also received contributions from Ryan Jaross, who had 11 points and seven boards, and Chase Hatton, the lone returning starter whose two free throws in the fourth gave his side a 52-51 advantage. 

Malley had 10 points in a loss to Downingtown West on Dec. 5, and that was one of the more notable prior to Saturday. He’s hoping for a performance similar to this one when the Knights face Unionville on Tuesday.

By Quarter

West Chester Rustin: 15 I 11 I 15 I 21 II 62

Bensalem: 18 I 14 I 11 I 13 II 56

Scoring

West Chester Rustin: Ben Malley 27, Chaz Davis 14, Ryan Jaross 11, Chase Hatton 4, Drew Petty 3, Danny Batchelor 3

Bensalem: Jaidyn Moffitt 14, Amir Drummond 13, Antonio Morris 11, Nate Cooper 7, Noah Morris 6, Micah White 5