Sports

Harriton Rams Hold Tight to Beat Strath Haven

The Rams' seniors won their last regular season game Thursday night.

After a roller coaster of a season for the Harriton Rams, they clung on to a lead established in the first half to pull off a 48-45 win against Strath Haven in their last regular season game.

The team’s seniors shone on senior night, with Marquis Baker’s team-high 16 points and Andre Dixon’s contribution of 11. 

Before the game, Baker and Lorenzo Useche-Rodrigo sang a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that Christina Aguilera likely would have envied, to much applause and cheering from the crowd.

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Harriton led after the first quarter 10-8, and Strath Haven tied it up soon into the second quarter. The Panthers briefly took the lead, but Harriton regained it less than a minute later and kept it.

Despite some fast playing by the Rams that forced a number of turnovers, the Rams did well on foul shots throughout the game, making nine of 12 attempts.

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The Panthers came as close as 46-45 with 43.9 seconds left in the game, creating a tense atmosphere, but Matt Sherman clinched the win by making both of his final foul shots.

“I think we held on,” Rams coach Jesse Rappaport said after the game. “It definitely got a little sticky at the end there.

“Andre Dixon hasn’t played a lot, and we did not win this game without him,” Rappaport added. “And Marquis (Baker) came to play. When he scores more than 10, I think we’re 11-2, so he’s our X factor in there. And (Evan) Soloff really set the tone for the rest of the game.”

Rappaport said it’s been nice to see his team getting better over the years, with a final overall record of 11-11 and 8-8 in the Central League. And he said his seniors definitely wanted to go out on a high note.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Rappaport said. “We were 8-2, we lost to Lower Merion and Upper Darby, two very good teams … and then we took another step backwards on Tuesday — Ridley thumped us. They’re gonna be dangerous in district play.

“There was definitely some emotion with senior night, and we want the highest seed possible for AAA playoffs."

The Rams will find out their seed for the PIAA District 1 Class AAA playoffs on Sunday. Harriton’s seniors include Marquis Baker, Andre Dixon, Evan Soloff, Mike Allen, Lorenzo Useche-Rodrigo, Samir Muhammad, Stephan Clayton and Adam Heller.

 

 

1

2

3

4

Final

Harriton

10

17

13

8

48

Strath Haven

8

11

14

12

45

 

 

Points

Marquis Baker

16

Andre Dixon

11

Ryan Kelly

8

Mike Allen

6

Matt Sherman

3

Samir Muhammad

2

Evan Soloff

2


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