Aces Wrap-Up Regular Season With Win Over Fords

In an energetic Bryant Gymnasium before the regular season finale against Haverford High, the Aces celebrated the contributions of their senior class.

Then they got some more.

On a night when an Ace underclassmen didn't take the court until the second period, Lower Merion hammered the Fords 74-48 to close out the regular season having won seven straight and nine of 10 to finish with a final record of 15-7 (13-3).

In their final home game, several senior reserves made a mark.

"All the guys do great work in practice, so it wasn't surprising (to see them play well)," said Aces assistant Blake Stabert of Thursday's less-heralded senior contributors, among them CJ Jones and Dan Peterson, who each contributed four points.

While the senior exclusive lineup rode a trap-heavy defense and opportunistic play on the other end to get the Aces out to a 14-10 lead first period lead, it wasn't until Lower Merion diversified their rotation that the margin widened.

With juniors Darryl Reynolds and Mike Robbins and sophomores BJ Johnson and Raheem Hall now shouldering some of the load, the Aces went off for 21 points in the second frame, 10 of which came from the lanky and sharpshooting Johnson.

"Coach told me to be ready to come off the bench," said the sophomore.

Did he feel he stole the spotlight from the seniors?

"I think I let 'em have their shine," he said.

While the Aces finished the regular season strong, and considered Thursdays performance satisfactory if not extraordinary—save an inarguably extraordinary third period dunk through a Ford by Robbins—it was really just a tuneup. The second season, the real season, awaits.

And they're ready.

"We've got a full head of steam going in to Districts," said senior guard Mike Buchwald. "Honestly, right now we feel like we can beat anybody."

"We're going to keep this streak going," agreed fellow senior Eric Green, "and we're ready to make some noise."

Team manager Nathaniel Bressi, also honored for his service to the program in the pregame ceremony, said he viewed the Aces Feb. 6 win as a turning point. Or maybe a launching point.

"I have a lot of respect for Shabazz, that was a big win. Now I think we're going to win Districts," he exclaimed.

While it remains to be seen how far the Aces can go, they clearly feel much better about their chances at 15-7 than they did less than a month ago at 6-6. Still, the road ahead is difficult.

"We'll find out who we play on Sunday, then we'll start planning for that team. You have to take it one game at a time," said Stabert. "District One is the best district in the state."