Kehler on Hoops: New Church/Springside

Written by: Dell Jackson on December 8, 2021

ACADEMY OF THE NEW CHURCH DEFEATS SPRINGSIDE CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY 79-39

Despite being shorthanded due to injuries to key players, Academy of the New Church overwhelmed visiting Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in a matchup of non-PIAA teams on Tuesday afternoon. Quick, disciplined, and displaying great teamwork, ANC scored first and led for the entire game. The game got out of hand quickly, as SCH committed five turnovers in the first four minutes, and ANC built an 11-0 lead. SCHA never recovered from ANC’s initial burst, and it was clear that the visitors were rattled from the inception of the game. SCH committed nine turnovers in the first quarter, and they fell further and further behind. The game was played at a frenetic pace in the first half, and the 30 second shot clock was never a factor at any point in the game.

ANC is very good. As their lead expanded, so did their use of the court in half court sets, almost to the point of going to a four corners attack. The unselfish ANC players moved the ball quickly on offense and ran at every opportunity. When the fast break didn’t lead to a basket, they spread the court and attacked seams. SCHA switched from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone, but ANC had no trouble scoring on that. As the game progressed, SCHA had great difficulty defending. ANC has a couple of outstanding dunkers in junior Elmarko Jackson and senior Anthony McCall. Longtime ANC coach Kevin “Squeeze” Givens has devised an offense that combines running and an effective and structured attack in half court sets. He is one of the leading high school coaches in southeastern Pennsylvania.

ANC out rebounded SCHA 53-41. SCHA committed 22 turnovers to 12 for ANC. ANC was 10 for 15 from the stripe, and SCHA was 10 for 17. ANC made three 3 pointers to two from beyond the arc for SCHA.

Many llhoops.com readers may be unfamiliar with these teams. SCHA, located in Philadelphia, is a member of the oldest scholastic sports loop in America, the Inter-Academic League. ANC is a Swedenborgian parochial school in Bryn Athyn, PA, and a member of the Friends Schools League.

Academy of the New Church scoring: Anthony McCall 26, Deywilk Tavarez 19, Elmarko Jackson 13, Isaiah Miller, 6, Jarell Keel 4, Lucas Flynn 3, Colby Barnave 3, Taj Odhiambo 3, and Dylan Coq 2.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy scoring: Darius Isaac 8, Tommy Andrews 7, Jaren Morton 6, Caleb Alston 4, Camden Burns 4, Ivan Thorpe 4, Ron Brown 3, and Al Amaduo 3.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 5 11 12 11-39
Academy of the New Church 15 21 21 22-79

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