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GA gets it together, tops Shipley

Mike Hannigan, interim head coach at Germantown Academy, said the team's recent struggles were due in part to "the players pressing too much" in the absence of longtime boss Jim Fenerty.

Germantown Academy's Greg Dotson is met by two Shipley defenders on his way to the basket. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
Germantown Academy's Greg Dotson is met by two Shipley defenders on his way to the basket. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more

Mike Hannigan, interim head coach at Germantown Academy, said the team's recent struggles were due in part to "the players pressing too much" in the absence of longtime boss Jim Fenerty.

"I think the kids took it upon themselves to win the game on an individual basis," the 23-year assistant said. "They were trying too hard."

The Patriots showed less angst and more togetherness Tuesday afternoon. Putting aside a three-game losing skid, the hosts easily ousted Shipley, 75-57, in the opening round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Tournament.

Hannigan is filling in for Fenerty, who was recently diagnosed with Polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that leads to an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.

"They both have great coaching minds," 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior swingman Greg Dotson said, "but there's still a difference when someone new is calling the shots. There's an adjustment there."

Dotson netted 19 points, including 13 in the second half, to lead four starters in double-digit scoring. He added four rebounds and two blocked shots.

With a 12-2 run at the end of the first quarter and an 8-2 spurt at the start of the second, GA was comfortably ahead, 32-14.

The Patriots, rebounding from Saturday night's 55-52 loss to Inter-Academic League rival Malvern Prep, shot 17 for 25 from the field in the opening 16 minutes. They were in front, 43-27, at the break.

"We've got some kids who can knock down shots," said Hannigan, who attended now-defunct Cardinal Dougherty with Fenerty.

On Wednesday, in the second round of the tournament, the No. 6-seeded Patriots (19-9) will visit No. 3 Academy of the New Church (19-6) at 5:30 p.m.

Against Shipley, lead guard Nick Lindner and 6-8 forward Julian Moore each netted 16 points. Fellow junior James Drury buried three three-pointers en route to 15 points.

"It's been a little different not having Coach Fenerty on the bench," Lindner said. "It'd be great if we could go on and win this tournament for him. He means so much to the program."

Lindner, of Doylestown, added eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals; Moore grabbed seven rebounds; Drury dished four assists; and senior wing guard Connor Crump posted four assists and the same number of thefts.

Seniors Chima Nwakpuda (23 points, seven boards) and Isaiah Baker (14, 12) paced the No. 11-seeded Gators (9-14). The visitors were hurt by 11 first-half turnovers.

Overall, GA shot 29 for 47 from the field.

Shipley   12 15 18 12 – 57

Germantown Academy   24 19 19 13 – 75

S: Malik Ellison 6, Tyreeq Williams 6, Zac Tillman 4, Isaiah Baker 14, Chima Nwakpuda 23, Shawn Harvey 2, Jamie Piltch 2.

GA: Nick Lindner 16, Connor Crump 4, Greg Dotson 19, Julian Moore 16, James Drury 15, Cameron Retif 3, Patrick Sawyer 2.