This Tuesday, yet another chapter was forged in a growing rivalry. SCH faced off against Penn Charter in Inter-Ac play, in a game with over 2,000 eyes watching the spectacle live on Gametime Sports.
The overtime thriller marked the third consecutive game decided by three or fewer points. Penn Charter escaped with a 62-60 win thanks to a last-second foul that sent the Quakers to the line to put the game away with 0.08 seconds left.
“It was one of a kind,” said junior Sebastian Small, who was in attendance. “Two powerhouse Inter-Ac teams battled it out in an extremely physical game. To make it even better it went to OT so we got way more action than expected.”
SCH led early in the first quarter thanks to an aggressive defensive game plan. The Quakers were held to a meager two points halfway through the first, and SCH led 13-2.
“It was a very physical game,” said Penn Charter’s freshman guard Carter Smith. “But, that’s what comes with playing in the Inter-Ac.”
The physical play continued, as Penn Charter closed the lead afterward, though, getting it down to 26-22 by halftime, as the Devils led thus far.
After halftime though, the game ramped up As both teams kept battling, junior guard Joe Flach and Penn Charter’s senior guard Jake West both fell hard after boxing each other out.
Players began shouting at each other in the heated exchange. But through all the chaos, Penn Charter’s head coach shoved junior guard AJ Trunfio, leading to his ejection, alongside the ejection of Flach.
From that point, the game was even more charged. The aggressive style of play kept increasing. Words were exchanged after every big bucket. And as the fouls began to ramp up, SCH held a narrow one-point lead, 51-50 with under a minute to play.
In the Devils’ time of need, senior guard Keni Williams went straight at the basket, making a spectacular reverse layup to put SCH up three, 53-50.
That lead was shortlived though, as 6’11 senior center Matt Gilhool hit a corner three, sending the game into overtime. Nobody had expected SCH to be there. Yet, here they were, contending with the best of the best.
Overtime saw both teams continuing to struggle to hold onto a lead. Tied at 60 a-piece, the ball was back in Williams’ hands. Once again, he went downhill towards the basket but was tied up, bumping off Penn Charter players as a whistle was blown.
Devils fans thought it was a shooting foul. Seconds later, the refs called a travel instead.
The travel gave the Quakers the ball left with four seconds left, as they were able to draw a foul while bringing the ball up and sink two free throws to down the Devils 62-60.
Despite the loss, it was a wonderful showing for the underdog Blue Devils. Impressive play from East Stroudsburg commit senior Keni Williams helped show why he continues to be one of the best players in the city.
SCH’s defense showed some holes and weaknesses, but their performance gives hope to the team. They played spectacularly despite the challenge in front of them. Both teams will face off on February 4th in a highly anticipated game.
“I’m super excited to head over to Penn Charter in a couple of weeks to watch the rematch,” said Sebastian Small.
