Younger’s new approach helps lift Gratz over Frankford

Aquil Younger, now representing Simon Gratz, formerly of West Catholic, was talking about the differences between Public League and Catholic League basketball.

"This is much faster," he said.

"Teams don't run as many plays," he added.

And then came something not as obvious.

"I don't get to take naps before the games. Since these are right after school."

Ah, but Younger is now given unscheduled breaks during games . . . Not that he likes 'em.

The 6-foot, 165-pound Younger, a senior point guard and Drexel signee, Thursday totaled 17 points, eight assists and four steals as the Bulldogs bested visiting Frankford, 80-71, in a Division A finale to finish perfect (13-0) in regular-season play for the 16th time in 22 seasons and raise their league mark over the last 24 campaigns to 301-13 (.959 percentage).

Every so often, Younger filled the same role as the man, Bill Ellerbee, seated near the east-end basket, who coached Gratz to 184 of those wins . . . Spectator.

"Coach [Duane] Ramer has this strict policy. If I turn the ball over, he takes me out of the game," he said. "He says he's getting me ready for college and gearing us up for the playoffs.

"He's been doing it since the Lower Merion game [Jan. 22]. I was mad about it, at first. But you can't question your coach. You just live with it. When I get back out there, I move on to the next play and try to be there for my team."

The earlier version of Younger thought about scoring first, second and usually third. He totaled 929 points in three West seasons and likely would have rung up 25 per game this winter.

Instead, his average is 12.2 and, in PL play, he has posted two outings with four points and another with one.

All part of the master plan, folks.

"This will be my role in college: distributing the ball and being a team player," said Younger, whose first name is pronounced uh-quill. "I'm no longer a 'scoring guard.' I talk to somebody from Drexel almost every day, and they've been to a few of my games. They're happy with how I'm developing.

"I don't care about scoring. If I get one point and we win, fine with me."

Before the game, capping a short ceremony honoring all of Gratz' senior players (and cheerleaders), Younger was handed a painted ball marking his earlier entry into the 1,000-Point Club (now 1,173).

The Gratz folks invited Bill Ludlow, West's former coach, to be part of the ceremony. He was unable to attend, but did kiddingly wonder whether the half the ball would be painted blue and gold. (Nah, just red and white. And only one panel, at that.)

When asked to detail the reason(s) for his transfer, Younger laughed for a good 10 seconds.

"Ah, man," he said, finally. "It's a lonnnnng story.

"I've still got love for West Catholic. But once coach 'Luds' retired, I had my mind set on going to another school so I'd have a better chance of winning. I had to do what was better for me. My mom [Tamica Younger] lives right around here, near 13th and Allegheny, so I moved in with her. Gratz is good for me. I was welcomed with open arms right away."

After two quick baskets by Nigel Caldwell opened the fourth quarter, providing Gratz a 68-53 lead, it appeared a coast-for-home would be possible. But then, with 1:46 showing, there was Frankford's Taylor Bessick, hitting one of two free throws to draw Frankford within 72-68.

Younger then had major influence: absorbed hard contact from Bessick on an illegal pick. Fed Daquan Bryant for a layup. Converted a one-and-one at 0:29, making it 76-68.

"At the end. That's when big plays are needed," he said.

Younger shot 4-for-7 (one trey) and 8-for-8. Four more Bulldogs - Bryant (14), Caldwell (13), Devon Walker (12) and Bruce Hanner (10) reached double figures and Andrew Moye (nine, also seven rebounds) came close. Keith Washington was sensational for Frankford, mixing 28 points and seven assists. Imire Taylor (20) drained four treys, Bessick claimed eight rebounds and Kevin Lawson blended 10 points with five steals.

The Pioneers' rotation included five lefties - Washington, Taylor, Omar Askia, Kevin Lawson and Dajuan Franks.

But it was Gratz, thanks largely to the new-look Younger, that left with the victory. *