Friends’ Central rolls to third straight state title

Beating a well-oiled Friends' Central squad would have been a tall order for Malvern Prep even with Brendan Kilpatrick on the floor. Without their leading scorer, the Friars pretty much had no chance.

Kilpatrick went down with an ankle injury late in the first quarter, and the top-ranked Phoenix, already ahead by nine, cruised to a 65-37 victory Saturday at Penn State-Abington to claim their third straight Pennsylvania Independent Schools Tournament championship in boys' basketball.

"We came in completely confident," Friends' Central coach Jason Polykoff said. "We were playing well as a team. And then it kind of deflated them when they lost Brendan Kilpatrick. Our guys saw that and kind of jumped on them."

The Phoenix, closing with a 23-4 record, took command with an 8-2, second-quarter run that was highlighted by Amile Jefferson's breakaway dunk off a feed from Karonn Davis.

Early in the third quarter, Jefferson's three-point play and a pull-up jumper by Davis gave the Friends Schools League titlists a 36-16 advantage. Game over.

"It was something sad for them when Brendan went out," said Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 junior swingman.

"I thought we did a good job of getting into the lane and scoring. On defense, we disrupted what they were trying to do."

Jefferson netted a game-high 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Senior wing guard Devin Coleman ended his career with 17 points, including three three-pointers, and eight boards.

"When you talk about consistency, Devin was probably our most consistent player this year," Polykoff said.

Coleman, of Norristown, is leaning toward Clemson.

"We'll really miss him," Jefferson said. "He's a great player, can do it all. He scores, rebounds, defends, and passes well."

Against Malvern, hurt by seven turnovers in the opening eight minutes, senior point guard Malique Killing buried three treys for nine points.

Davis, a sophomore, posted nine points and seven assists.

"They shot the ball real well early on," Friars coach Jim Rullo said. "We didn't do a good job of moving our feet and contesting shots."

Even though the transfers of three regulars put Malvern in a bind, the Friars managed a 24-7 mark and took top honors in the Inter-Academic League.

"They had a great season," Polykoff said. "I have tremendous respect for Jim Rullo, his assistants, and their players for what they accomplished this year."

Malvern senior guard Sean Gordon scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Backcourt partner Steve Perpiglia, a junior, contributed nine points.

Malvern Prep   7 9 9 12 – 37

Friends' Central   16 15 19 15 – 65

MP: Steve Perpiglia 9, Sean Gordon 14, Kevin Rafferty 2, Tom Pitt 3, Alex Dentinger 2, Carl Nassib 3, Mike Louden 2, Joe Carlini 2.

FC: Malique Killing 9, Karonn Davis 9, Amile Jefferson 18, Devin Coleman 17, Conrad Chambers 9, Rich Jennings 3.