City of Basketball Love

Jeff Griffith
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Nothing is set in stone, but the Inter-Ac is officially The Haverford School’s league to lose. 

The Fords made sure of that Tuesday night; behind an impressive 25 points from Silas Graham and 19 from Dillon Gamble — who had clutch free throws to push the game to overtime — Haverford continued its undefeated run through Inter-Ac play, improving to 7-0 in a 67-59 win over Malvern Prep. 

“It was a real gutsy win,” Haverford head coach Bernie Rogers said. “Malvern is a very good team, so we’re excited to get the ‘W.’”

Entering Tuesday, the Friars sat in second place, just one game behind the Fords. With three conference games left and a two-game lead on the field, Haverford is in an ideal position. 

But nothing’s being taken for granted.

“We’ve fought hard to be in a great position,” Rogers said. “Now we’ve just got to be ready for the next couple of games and stay focused.”

Tuesday night’s contest was the definition of “back-and-forth,” and the game remained largely within a couple of baskets one way or the other throughout regulation. Malvern Prep led by nine after the first quarter, but by the start of the fourth, Haverford led by two.

Once Gamble — who contributed 19 points for Haverford — connected on two free throws to force overtime, though, the tides finally shifted. Gamble had been strong from the stripe throughout, making 11 of his 15 total attempts. 

“I made the first one, and it felt a little weird coming off, and they took a timeout,” Gamble said. “I was thinking about a lot, and then as soon as I got to the line, I took a couple of dribbles, and my mind just cleared out, I was focused, and I made the second free throw.” 

The Fords took over in the extra period, making a few key shots out of the gate to gain momentum and ultimately outscoring Malvern Prep 17-9 to close things out. Notably, Manny Butts added 16 points for the Fords, while Malvern was led by Collin Romanczuk with 21.

For Haverford, an Inter-Ac title in 2026 would be their first since 2021; they’ve only finished higher than third once in the time since, falling one game shy of first place in 2023-24.

It’s been a special season to say the least. And as the regular season’s finish line nears, all eyes are still locked on the prize. 

“Two years ago, we played the last game, and if we won it we would have had a chance to tie for the league,” Rogers said. “Last year, we were a solid 6-4 in a really tough league. I think they’re hungry to try to get one.” 

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HS Boys: Upper Darby 48, Lower Merion 45

Upper Darby picked up a massive win Tuesday night, defeating Lower Merion to gain significant ground for its district playoff hopes. The Royals entered the night squarely on the playoff bubble according to the PIAA 6A District 1 rankings — coming into Tuesday at No. 24, with 24 teams making the district bracket — but knocking off a Top 10 team in Lower Merion vaulted Upper Darby firmly into the playoff tier. 

Upper Darby’s win took a rally; the Royals trailed by 10 after the opening frame, but outscored Lower Merion 16-4 in the second quarter to flip the script. Tahli Murray was huge for the Royals, tallying a game-high 18 points while connecting on four three-pointers, three of which came in the second half. Israel Ingram paced Lower Merion — which remains firmly among the Top 10 in the district rankings — with 16 points.  

HS Girls: Cardinal O’Hara 65, Neumann-Goretti 52

Cardinal O’Hara picked up a vital Catholic League win, topping Neumann-Goretti by double digits to break free of a tie with the Saints into sole possession of second place. The Cardinals now sit one game behind undefeated league-leading Archbishop Carroll. In the win, Megan Rullo (17) and Brigidanne Donohue (16) both contributed key scoring efforts, while Reginna Baker paced N-G with a game-high 22.

HS Girls: Neshaminy 47, Bensalem 33

As teams continue to jostle for position in the PIAA District 1 rankings, Nehsaminy picked up a key win, entering the night as the district’s No. 14 against No. 16 Bensalem. Neshaminy locked down on defense, holding the Owls to just nine first-half points including three in the second frame. Leading the way for Neshaminy, junior wing Hayley Kolk had 14 and freshman Brynn Klukososki had 11, with the two combining for 14 of their team’s 18 third quarter points.

HS Girls: Central Bucks East 61, North Penn 44

In a battle of the top two teams in the Suburban One Colonial, CB East dominated, winning by 17 to finish the conference season at a perfect 10-0; following Tuesday’s result, the Patriots sit at No. 2 in the district rankings, with North Penn at No. 21, just inside the playoff cutoff. Senior wing Natalie Berndt led CB East with 20 points, including four triples.  

HS Boys: Garnet Valley 75, Ridley 62

The Jaguars took care of business to wrap up the regular season, riding an eye-opening 32 points from junior forward Greyson Golek to a double-digit win over Ridley. With the win, Garnet Valley locked up a top-four spot in the Central League, and finished 12-4 in conference play. 

HS Girls: Penn Charter 51, Episcopal Academy 43

Penn Charter picked up a much-needed Inter-Ac win behind 15 points from Marleigh Jackson and 12 from Aubrei Smith, while EA got a game-high 17 from Kate Boerner.

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D-I MBB: Loyola-Chicago 71, La Salle 61

La Salle’s recent struggles continued with a double-digit Atlantic 10 loss to last-place Loyola-Chicago; the Explorers have now lost 10 of their last 13, including three in a row. La Salle was led by Jaeden Marshall’s 18 points, but as a team, the Explorers were outrebounded by seven, and missed a crucial six of their 19 free-throw attempts. Jaden Johnson also added 16 points, eight assists and four steals. 

D-II WBB: Holy Family 72, Chestnut Hill 54

Holy Family earned its 10th win in a row in resounding fashion, improving to 13-0 in CACC play  and beating Chestnut Hill by 18 at home behind 24 points and 14 rebounds from Taylor Hinkle, who shot an impressive 8-of-12 from the field. Tiayo Adelekan led Chestnut Hill with 14 points and six boards.

D-II MBB: Holy Family 83, Chestnut Hill 67

The Holy Family men also defeated Chestnut Hill going away, making it wins in three of the last four. Matt Gardler went off for a game-high 22 points, connecting on six of his seven three-point attempts — the Tigers as a team made just eight threes — while Amari Dow paced the Griffins with 16.