City of Basketball Love

By Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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The Friends’ Central boys basketball team doesn’t need a refresher about how long it’s been since the program last won a Friends Schools League championship.

They’ve been under the tutelage of one of the stars of the 2011 championship squad all season.

Phoenix first-year head coach Devin Coleman was on the last FCS team to win the league title 13 years ago. Now, his players hope they can help him become a three-time champ — two as a player and one as a coach — when they take the floor against Academy New Church in the FSL championship game Friday night at 8 p.m. at La Salle University’s Tom Gola Arena

“Obviously it would be special for me,” Coleman said after Tuesday’s semifinal win over Westtown. “I’m a lifer at Friends’ Central. I’ve never been to any other school. It’s a special place to me and to be able to come back here and hopefully do something special like that  — win as a coach and a player — would be phenomenal.”

Standing in Friends’ Central’s way is a Lions squad looking to break an even longer drought. ANC coach Kevin Givens has won five championships during his three-decade stint at the helm of the Lions, but he’s looking to add his first FSL title since 2009.

The Lions have been the runner-up seven times since their most recent championship, losing in the last four title games.

“We get here every year, I think we're due,” Givens said after a win over Friends Select on Tuesday.

Academy New Church makes its return to the league title game despite losing two starters from last year’s runner-up squad in Deywilk Tavarez (Delaware State) and Jarell Keel (Neumann). Senior 6-5 guard Bahsil Laster is a Division I recruit with classmate Nolan Waldon another veteran presence in the lineup.

Sophomore wing/forward Dior Carter is the only other experienced pieces. Sophomore forward Ryan Warren and Cameron Smith arrived this season alongside sophomore guard Tobe Nwobu, who had 13 points in the 53-45 win over Friends Select that booked ANC’s championship game ticket to Tom Gola Arena.

“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere,” Nwobu said after the win. “I played in some crazy atmospheres in south Jersey, but I’ve never played in a college arena. Everybody’s goal is to play D-1, so I’m looking forward to running up and down that floor.”

Coleman was an assistant under another FCS grad Mike Cook before taking the reins this season. He was familiar with the group, which is led by senior guards Fazl Oshodi, Muhsin Muhammad and Reid Belcher. Muhammad scored 22 points and Oshodi added 17 in a 62-59 comeback win over Westtown in the semifinals. Freshman guard Patrese Feamster has shown some explosive scoring and shooting this season with junior guard Su Alleyne another important two-way piece. Junior forward Nigel Pierman mans the paint off the bench.

The Phoenix lost to ANC, 64-51, on Jan. 10 but their only loss since then was a two–point loss to Hill School.

“The way that we’re preparing and the way that they’re being receptive to stuff,” Coleman said of the difference in his team his year. “A lot of the stuff that I came in and did this year was new to them, but everyone worked to try to understand, trying to buy in, so and so forth. It didn’t start off the greatest after our first game, but as time went on with film, and different things like that to learn from, we’ve been taking some steps in a positive direction.”

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Friends’ Central girls face steep challenge in Westtown

The Friends’ Central girls have a roster that can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone in the area. The one exception just happens to be in their league.

Second-year coach Vinny Simpson and his burgeoning program understand the tall task at hand when they face three-time defending champion Westtown at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tom Gola Arena in the Friends Schools League championship game.

It doesn’t make them want to pull of the upset any less.

“It’s gonna have to take everything we’ve got,” junior forward Kaiya Rain Tucker said after Tuesday’s semifinal win over ANC. “Play like you’ve got everything.”

“I want to win so bad, and I’m hoping everyone else does too.”

The Moose have both star power and depth with freshman 6-2 wing/forward Jordyn Palmer, who is already considered one of the top players in her class, the centerpiece. Senior Temple commit Savannah Curry is a D1 commit with the likes of junior forward Aidan Langley, sophomore guard Atlee Vanesko and freshman guard Jessie Moses among those who will follow her to that level someday.

Friends’ Central counters with 6-3 guard/wing Logyn Greer, a uniquely versatile talent. Tucker and junior guard Nal’la Bennett are two more Division I recruits. Junior guard Saniyah Washington, who received an offer from Coppin State this fall, has been a nice addition from Mast Charter at the point guard spot. Prior to last season, the Phoenix hadn't reached the title game since winning back to back championships in 2015 and 2016.

Last year’s title game ended in a 75-35 Westtown win. The Moose won 77-18 in the teams’ Jan. 5 meeting this year, but Tucker wasn’t available for that one. She plans on making sure the Phoenix hang in Friday’s games, with intentions of pulling off the upset. 

“I’m going to contribute to this next upcoming game with energy, perseverance,” Tucker said. “I don’t care how much you’re down by, play hard, no matter what.”