Phantoms Can't Overcome Early Charge by Braves

OXFORD-The Phantoms went into Saturday’s PIAA class AAA quarterfinal match  against Octorara with the same basic strategy they employed to end Upper Merion’s season: get off to a solid start, avoid the big runs and put yourself in position to win the game in the later stages.

Unfortunately for the Phantoms, who posted an 8-2 first-quarter lead before buckling down and running away with a 12-point win against the Vikings, allowing the number-one seeded Octorara Braves to jump out to a 10-point lead three minutes into the game would prove fatal for any hopes of a PIAA state playoff bid.

Another part of the game plan that went awry was the fact that the Phantoms allowed runs of 13-0 and 11-3 during the contest, which were collectively too much for Phoenixville to overcome.

The early surge would eventually come back to haunt the Phantoms as they succumbed with a 69-58 final, ending their season with a 10-11 record.

"Basketball is a game of runs," said Phoenixville player Jimmy Riggins. "We know there are going to be runs in any game. We usually have a couple as well, but today we didn't really have that big run of our own."

In a first period, which was played at more the pace of a track meet than that of a basketball game, the Braves shot 55 percent from the field and built a 26-14 lead before Marcus Howell, who finished with a team-high 19 points, hit a deuce just before the buzzer.

“We came out and hung with the number-one seed,” said Reber. “We got down early, but never quit. I am very proud of what we have started here this season. It was great for the young players to get a taste of this and know what it's like to compete at this level.”

After trailing by as many as 16 points, the Phantoms, who shot at a 44 percent clip from the field, outscored the Braves through the second and third period by a two-point edge and climbed to within six as the fourth quarter started. But the team could not take advantage of the few mistakes the very disciplined Octorara squad made.

The Phantoms had no answer for the duo of Lamont Clark (19 points, six rebounds) and Charles Cooper, who netted 20. The pair did most of the early damage and were a nuisance to the Phoenixville defense all game.

Senior Mike Jones, who was instrumental in the success of the Phantoms all year, was never really able to get on track as he was doubled in the paint and forced to be content with dishing the ball to Rasheed Lawson (10 points overall) and Jordan Kelly, who had 12.

Phoenixville was its own worst enemy at times. They committed 23 turnovers, 12 of which were unforced, but that paled in comparison to the “Phantom Menace” of Conor Kasabo, a six-foot-7 nightmare who complemented his six points with 10 defensive rebounds and three blocked shots.

"We wanted to deny the ball in the paint,” said Octorara head coach Gene Lambert. “We know how dangerous their big man is when you give him room. Our plan was to bottle it up underneath and limit put backs. Conor [Kasabo] did great job getting [Jones] out of his game.”

Phoenixville fans have a lot to look forward to for next season. The core of young players has seen a lot of time on the floor this season, which bodes well for the future.

The junior trio of Rasheed Lawson, Jimmy Riggins and Jordan Kelly have been an integral part of Phoenixville’s offense, starting many games for coach Randy Reber. Sophomores Marcus Howell and Greg Hughes have proven the ability to light it up from the outside.

“We have all bought into the system,” said Marcus Howell. “The coaches have done a great job getting us ready to play this year. It was hard at first, because we didn’t really know what they expected of us. Now we have high expectations of ourselves.”

“We came into the season with no game experience to speak of,” Reber said. “Next season when we take to floor we already have a starting team established. We have started to build something special here and the parents and students have really been supportive. We also are very fortunate to have an athletic director like Tony [Palladino] who does everything he can to make sure we have a full schedule against some very good schools. I am very thankful for that and for having the opportunity we have here.”

Phoenixville       16 12 12 18 – 58

Octorara              26 12 10 21 – 69

 Phoenixville (58) – Marcus Howell 19 points, Jordan Kelly 12, Rasheed Lawson 10, Jake Lynch 9, Jim Riggins 4, Greg Hughes 2, Mike Jones 2

Octorara (69) – Charles Cooper 20, Lamont Clark 19, James Brown 15, Conor Kasabo 6, Mauriece Bowers 5, Dequan Newton 4

Three point field goals-  (PX) Howell  3,  (PX) Lawson,  (OCT) Cooper,  (OCT) Clark