Third Time's the Charm as Aces Top Royals to Make States

Tuesday night before a full house in Upper Darby, the Lower Merion Aces, an even 6-6 a month and a week ago, prevailed 73-66 over a 21-1 Royals team that had beaten them twice already this season—, —to clinch one of the least likely state playoff berths in the school's illustrious history.

"This is the greatest feeling I've ever had," said an exuberant and bloodied Mike Buchwald after emerging from the winning locker room. "I got this celebrating,' he said of his mashed lip.

"Making states, beating Upper Darby," Buchwald said, looking around and soaking it all up."This is amazing."

Amazing and hard-fought. The Aces played the Royals to a near draw in the first eight minutes, emerging from the first period with a narrow 12-11 lead, before taking over in the second frame.

The Lower Merion defense, stifling from the first whistle, took it up another notch, forcing the usually explosive Royals into errors, and took advantage on the subsequent breaks. They started the period on an 8-0 run, pushed the lead to 27-15 off a gorgeous finger roll by Darius Hall over the not-quite-outstretched-enough arms of a Royal forward, and hung on to enter the half with a 32-23 lead.

Sophomore Raheem Hall was the closer, if not the catalyst, of much of the Aces' success. The rangy forward lived on the offensive boards in the second and fourth periods, scoring 20 points overall, most on putbacks, to pace the team.

"Some of (our success) was just brilliance on his part," said Aces head coach Gregg Downer. "He's just a sophomore and he's becoming a big-time player."

"I was just following the shots," shrugged Hall, who scored eight in the final period. "I just hope we keep this momentum going. Keep playing defense."

When Upper Darby came out of the break with a full head of steam, and rallied to tie the game at 48, it was the Ace defense that allowed them to hold off the suddenly hard-charging Central League champs. That and Eric Green.

The burly forward scored 15 overall, most of those second half, and all of those in the paint. His relentless attacking of the net, and ability to create insta-momentum towards the basket, kept the Aces with the initiative and the Royals front court in penalty trouble.

"Downer wanted me to get guys in foul trouble," said the senior, who said his emotions after the win were mixed, "a mix of really good emotions."

Despite the Ace heroics, the battle-tested Royals hung around. With 45 seconds left though and the visiting team clinging to a 69-63 lead, Darius Hall ended the drama. He found Mike Robbins the length of the court for an easy layup and, effectively, the win.

"There was a lot of validation in this win," said Downer. "We have three goals every season. The league title, the district title, and a state bid."

They crossed off one on Tuesday and took a big step to another. It wasn't easy though.

"It was a 15-round fight. You knew they were gonna throw some good punches," the coach said.

The Aces took them. And they kept on coming.

Now they're going to states.