Valley Forge Military Academy captures first BAL basketball title

Even at 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, Valley Forge Military Academy's Myles Bunyon regularly finds a way to get into the lane and finish in traffic.

"I have a pretty quick first step," the senior guard said. "Also, the coaches that I've had over the years have taught me how to use my body when attacking the basket."

Bunyon displayed his eye-popping speed, court vision, and smarts while sparking the Trojans to a 77-57 victory over Faith Christian in the Bicentennial Athletic League boys' final Saturday afternoon at Morrisville.

The first-time BAL champions began to pick up steam when they won the Lincoln Leadership Academy holiday tournament in Allentown in late December.

"We started to play as a team," VFMA fourth-year coach Francis Bowe said. "We were clicking, spreading the ball around, and picking each other up."

Bunyon, who spent his first two years of high school at Perkiomen Valley, delivered a game-high 22 points, seven steals, five assists, and three rebounds (one on offense) against Faith Christian.

"Valley Forge has been a good fit for me both academically and athletically," he said. "Even though Perkiomen Valley is having a great season, I'm glad I came here."

Bunyon, a second-year starter who will continue his career at Bloomsburg, shot 9 for 16 from the field (2 for 4 from beyond the arc) and 2 for 3 from the line against the Lions.

The BAL's Independence Division player of the year crammed 12 of his points into the fourth quarter, when the Trojans (22-4) blew open what had been a close contest with a 16-2 explosion.

"We calmed down and finally started playing well," Bunyon said. "We were kind of antsy at the beginning of the game."

VFMA was without Abraham Deng, a 6-10 junior center and Division I prospect who injured his right wrist Thursday night in a 58-44 semifinal win over Holy Ghost Prep.

Junior guard Arion Lewis and senior guard Devin Hill, who has bounced back nicely from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively, against Faith Christian (23-3).

Marius Ntwari, a 6-9 junior center, chipped in 10 points and eight boards and 6-7 junior forward Will Colleran collected 14 caroms (five on offense) and eight points.

For the Lions, who trailed by only 50-48 going into the last frame, 6-5 senior forward Zeke Snowden and 6-3 junior wing Landon Coyle each netted 16 points.

Faith Christian 15 19 14 9 - 57

Valley Forge Military Ac. 16 23 11 27 - 77

FC: Darius Forney 7, Charles Ervin 5, Miki Vitek 6, Zeke Snowden 16, Landon Coyle 16, Sawyer Smith 2, Anthony Sessa 3, Owen Bradford 2.

VFMA: Myles Bunyon 22, Devin Hill 15, Arion Lewis 19, Marius Ntwari 10, Will Colleran 8, Rye Ahronson 3.