Ochefu powers Westtown past Phelps

Playing in the Tri-County League, Phelps School doesn't come across the likes of Westtown's Daniel Ochefu too often. And the Lions are thankful for that.

Saturday, in the opener of the two-day Kobe Bryant/Philly.com/Rally Classic, Ochefu, a blossoming, 6-foot-10, 235-pound junior center, produced 21 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to spark the Moose to a 61-44 victory over Phelps at Malvern Prep.

"We don't see size like that in our league," Phelps coach Matt Scavitto said. "We got exposed in the first half. They did a really good job of getting Daniel the ball. On defense, he protected the paint."

Ochefu (pronounced oh-CHAY-fu) shot 8 for 14 from the field (1 for 2 from beyond the arc) and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. He gathered 13 rebounds, blocked five shots, and handed out three assists in 28 minutes.

"He's having a fantastic year," Westtown coach Seth Berger said. "He has a great feel for the game. His low-post play has gotten a lot better. As smart as he is and as strong as he is, he's almost unguardable."

Ochefu, 17, has scholarship offers from Georgetown, West Virginia, Temple, Rutgers, Texas, and Virginia, among others.

Born in Baltimore, he moved with his family to Nigeria when he was 11 and lived there for three years. His parents, Hassan and Elizabeth, are from Nigeria and Cameroon, respectively. They have been living in Exton, Chester County, for the last year.

"It's great having them near me," said Daniel Ochefu, a boarder at Westtown. "They come to my games, are big supporters of me in academics and athletics."

Against the neighboring Lions, Ochefu netted 11 points in the first quarter, including a straight-on three-pointer and a fastbreak dunk, and 10 in the second. The Moose, with a 16-6 spurt in the second quarter, comfortably led, 31-20, at intermission.

Ochefu, averaging nearly 17 points and 12 rebounds, is ranked 11th in the nation in the Class of 2012 by ESPNU.com.

"There's such an upside to his game," Berger said. "He's athletic, can dribble the ball, and he's got good shooting range for a big man."

Westtown (14-4 overall, 3-1 Friends Schools League) received 15 points from both 6-7 sophomore Yilret Yiljep and senior guard Eli Kell-Abrams.

Yiljep, who also posted seven rebounds and three assists, is joined on the team by his two brothers: senior twins Longji (8 points, 5 boards, 2 assists) and Nanribet. Nanribet Yiljep is sidelined because of a hand injury.

Damien Williams, a 6-5 junior, led Phelps (11-3, 5-0 Tri-County) with 17 points and six boards.

Westtown   15 16 10 20 – 61

Phelps   14 6 7 17 – 44

W: Eli Kell-Abrams 15, Daniel Ochefu 23, Yilret Yiljep 15, Longji Yiljep 8.

P: Devon Haines 6, Zach Hagan 6, Isaiah Gans 5, Damien Williams 17, Shawn Valentine 6, Jakob Batycki 4.