Phoenixville Picks Up Road Win in Lansdale

LANSDALE - Jake Lynch and Marcus Howell did not seem a bit frazzled when the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders clawed and shot their way back into Thursday's basketball game.

A 30-19 lead had evaporated to 34-33 by the end of the third quarter. LC's center Kyle Pagan led the charge, finishing with a team-high 14 points and a pair of blocks.  

The student section, known in Lansdale as the "Pit," got excited. Rowdy, chanting students called some Phantoms "ugly."

No matter.

To begin the crucial fourth quarter, Howell sliced past the Crusaders' perimeter defense for two. Lynch responded on the next play with a three-pointer from the corner.

Ten point lead. The Phantoms would not look back, winning the contest 59-43. They outscored LC 23-10 in the final quarter.

Howell, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, finished the night with 25 points. Lynch, a senior, added 17 points. Mike Jones, the 6-6 center, pitched in 10 points and battled the gangling and persistent Pagan all night.

Sophomore Ian Harrigan scored 5 points for Phoenixville.

The Crusaders' main outside threat was the 5-foot-5 Nick Demeno. He hit a flurry of jumpers during the second and third quarters. However, Phoenixville's Rasheed Lawson had him on lockdown in the crucial fourth quarter.

Coach Randy Reber earned a non-conference win on the road. Lansdale Catholic, coached by Bernie Fitzgerald, got contributions from Demeno (11 points), Alex Talarico (6points), Jim Rock (5 points).

Reber, a former St. Pius X coach, and Fitzgerald, who once led LaSalle High School's team, displayed contrasting styles on both ends of the floor.

The Phantoms' free-flowing offense accepted shots as they presented themselves. Players dashed to the hoop often and played sticky man-to-man defense on the other end. 

The Crusaders ran methodical half-court sets. On defense, they alternated between zone schemes and man-to-man coverage.

Next up for the Phantoms (1-1) is a home matchup with Upper Perkiomen on Friday night, 6:30 p.m. The Pottsgrove Falcons come to Phoenixville Dec. 21. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.

Mike Hays, the reporter, is a member of Spring City Borough Council. He attended Lansdale Catholic High School. His brother, senior Chris Hays, plays for LC.