Collingswood Seniors Shine in the Boys' Basketball Regular Season Finale

You only get one "Senior Night."

Unfortunately for the Rams of Overbrook, whose starting lineup sported four juniors and a single senior, the relevance of Tuesday night—Senior Night devotes appreciation for impending graduates—likely never crossed their minds.

For the Panthers, though, whose roster is overwhelmed with upperclassmen—exactly 11—the importance of the team's final regular season home game was well known.

The night began with each of the team's 11 seniors being escorted onto the court by their parents. That was followed by a quick 20-4 run to open the game, which featured a three-point play by guard Derek Wormley and a thunderous fast break dunk from forward B.J. Jones.

The game concluded with guard Jimmy McMonagle, who has been well chronicled throughout the course of the year as the "heart and soul of the Panthers," capitalizing the 86-76 victory with his sixth point of the season.

The way Collingswood played, it was as if the Panthers felt Tuesday's game would be the last they'd play at their home gymnasium.

Clearly that's not the case, as the team will host a playoff game or two; however, it was a night of bests for two Collingswood seniors.

Senior guard Karon Waller dropped a career-high 38 points on Tuesday night, surrendering his opportunity for 40 so that McMonagle could record his third field-goal of the season.

"I wasn't really upset about not getting 40," said Waller. "As long as Jimmy got it, I'm happy. It was a huge night, but not even really about the seniors. Tonight was about us making a statement before we head into the playoffs."

In addition to Waller's 38 points, senior center Julian Welsh-White recorded career bests in points and rebounds, collecting 20 and 16, respectively.

"It's a great feeling," said Welsh-White. "It was our last regular season home game. I've been on the varsity bench, just watching since I was a freshman. For the past three years, I've gotten to see all the seniors coming out for this. It's just nice to know how great it really feels stepping out onto this court as a senior."

Jones added 13 to the Panthers' score, and Wormley chipped in with six points.

It was a great night to be a Panther.

The only dark cloud looming over the game was an unspecified leg injury to forward reserve Kris Williams. Williams left the game in the second quarter and did not return.

The Panthers return to action this Thursday when they travel to Haddonfield to battle the Bulldawgs for the top spot of the Colonial Conference’s Liberty Division.