Malone, Lotito, Spencer maintain Plymouth Whitemarsh's winning ways
Continued success on the hardwood for Plymouth Whitemarsh was in serious doubt over the summer and into the fall. Xzavier Malone, the lone returning starter from last year's 26-4 squad, and Mike Lotito, who missed the second half of last season with a back injury, were nursing foot and wrist injuries, respectively.
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Continued success on the hardwood for Plymouth Whitemarsh was in serious doubt over the summer and into the fall.
Xzavier Malone, the lone returning starter from last year's 26-4 squad, and Mike Lotito, who missed the second half of last season with a back injury, were nursing foot and wrist injuries, respectively.
And then, just before the 2015-16 opener, Simeon Fryer, a Division I prospect who had transferred in from Upper Dublin, left PW because of personal reasons and returned to his former school.
But spurred by the efforts of Malone, Lotito, and fellow senior captain Oakley Spencer, the Colonials have stayed on the winning track.
Malone, a 6-foot-3 combo guard and Rider signee, netted a season-high 30 points as PW easily turned back Upper Dublin, 61-38, in a Suburban One League American Conference matchup Tuesday night at Colonial Elementary School.
Jim Donofrio's team is 17-1 overall and, with a 10-1 mark, has a half-game lead on Cheltenham (14-3, 9-1) in the conference standings.
Lotito, a 6-5 forward who excels in the classroom, contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in the win over the Cardinals (7-10, 5-6). He posted eight points and six boards in the first half as the hosts built a 34-16 advantage.
Spencer, a first-year starter, totaled six of his 10 assists before the break. The 6-2, 155-pounder added seven rebounds (three on offense), two steals, and a blocked shot.
"He's that glue guy for us," Donofrio said of the third-year varsity member. "He defends well, knows our schemes perfectly. He just does everything like a consummate team player."
Last year, as PW advanced to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA final and quarterfinal round of states, Spencer served as sixth man. Andre Mitchell, now at Catholic University, and Jimmy Murray (Moravian) were a strong one-two backcourt punch.
"It was frustrating at times, not getting a lot of minutes," Spencer said, "but I learned a lot from both of those guys."
Malone is averaging 20.3 points per game. He shot 12 for 21 from the field (2 for 7 from beyond the arc) and 4 for 5 from the line against Upper Dublin.
"He's a dangerous scorer, pushes the ball well in the open court, and he's a good passer," said Spencer, who dished five assists last Thursday in a 77-46 win over American Conference rival Wissahickon.
Three seniors - guard Kevin Ashenfelter, a three-point threat, swingman Davon Burrell and guard Grady Minick - round out PW's top-six rotation.
Tuesday's game at Cheltenham could decide the conference title. Lotito's reverse layup with 3 seconds to go lifted the host Colonials to a 64-62 win over the Panthers on Jan. 8.
Tap-ins. Parkway Center City's Amir Hill has drilled 53 three-pointers in 17 games. . . . Westtown senior point guard Jair Bolden (shoulder) and junior wing Najja Hunter (knee) returned from injuries Tuesday in a 80-52 win over Rise Academy. On the negative side, Moose sophomore Cameron Reddish is in a boot for at least two weeks after suffering a foot injury. . . . New Foundation Charter's Keith Blassingale is averaging 27.8 points. . . . Christopher Dock's Jared Exler is averaging 18.4 points. . . . Ridley's Brett Foster and Julian Wing are averaging 19.4 and 14.8 points, respectively. . . . Neumann-Goretti is ranked No. 22 in the nation in USA Today. . . . Council Rock North's Riley Thompson is averaging 16.2 points.
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