Malvern Prep slight favorite in Inter-Ac
So, how does that sit with coach Jim Rullo?
First, let us tell you that he did remain seated. Didn't stand up and run off while begging for another school to be bull's-eyed.
"That's obviously flattering," Rullo said. "It's a testament to how we played last year, and to the fact that we have good players coming back. But the kids have to understand: That gets us nothing."
For the most part, six guys did the playing last year as the Friars went 7-3 in league play and 22-9 overall. Five are back.
The lone senior is point guard Ryan Creighton, who'll be playing lacrosse at North Carolina. DeQuann Walker, Lamon Church and Tracy Peal are juniors while Brendan Kilpatrick is still just a sophomore.
They have some respectable playmates, as well.
"I see us playing eight-nine-10 guys," Rullo said. "That's going to be new for us. We have the people to do it and since we're pretty athletic and we'll be going at a faster pace, it makes sense to work in more guys.
"The challenge is to still take sensible shots...Not that I'm a control freak. I just want us to play the game the right way while we're doing it faster."
In its 42nd consecutive school year with the same six teams, the I-A still uses only the regular season to decide its champion.
"Really, that makes every game a championship game," Rullo said. "You have to approach things that way. The hard thing is getting young players to understand that.
"Through December we're tackling a very challenging nonleague schedule. It's all designed to get us ready for the Inter-Ac."
Once there, the Friars will find that their strongest competition will come from two of the academies - Germantown and Chestnut Hill.
GA features Bucknell-bound Cameron Ayers, the league's returning MVP, and backcourt mate Austin Curry. Chestnut Hill has a time-tested duo in Pat Connaghan and Todd Cramer.
The league's annual opening tripleheader will be played Jan.9 at Cabrini College.
There are no new coaches this season; Penn Charter's Jim "Flipper" Phillips is back from a 1-year sabbatical.i
Inter-Ac team-by-team capsules
CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY
Last year: 7-3, 15-8.
Savvy seven: Todd Cramer, 6-4, F; Pat Connaghan, 6-4, G-F; Andrew Kraft, 6-2, F; Billy Dooley, 6-4, G-F; Malik Garner, 6-5, F; Luke Mulvaney, 6-2, G; Robert Fink, 6-foot, G.
Dooley's comment: "Combination of veterans and relative newcomers. Our success will depend on how we come together on both ends of the floor, and what kind of chemistry develops."
EPISCOPAL ACADEMY
Coach: Dan Dougherty, 10th year (also St. Pius X, 1959-61; Malvern, 1962-66; Penncrest, 1976; Episcopal, 1977-97). Education: St. Joseph's Prep, Saint Joseph's. Career: 667-308; 535-240 at Episcopal.
Last year: 2-8, 10-14.
Savvy seven: Isaiah Baker, 6-7, C; Allen Heggs, 6-5, F; Dan Mengel, 6-1, G; DC Gaitley, 6-1, G; Taylor Wright, 6-4, G; Brian Taylor, 5-11, G; Brian Metzler, 6-3, F.
Dougherty's comment: "We're basically playing with last year's JV team."
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Coach: Jim Fenerty, 21st year (also Egan, 1982-89). Education: Dougherty, LaSalle. Career: 450-294; 389-156 at GA.
Last year: 9-1, 24-6.
Savvy seven: Cameron Ayers, 6-5, G; Austin Curry, 6-foot, G; Beau Jones, 6-4, G; Jimmy Hammer, 6-2, G; Jake Beil, 6-3, F; Noah Kennedy, 5-10, F; Greg Guers, 6-3, F.
Fenerty's comment: "If you are going to graduate six of your top eight, there can be none better than Ayers and Curry to try and keep things going in the right direction."
HAVERFORD SCHOOL
Coach: Steve Cloran, seventh year (also Marple-Newtown, 2001-03). Education: O'Hara, St. Francis (Pa.). Career: 84-145; 67-89 at Haverford School.
Last year: 2-8, 14-13.
Savvy seven: AJ Jones, 6-2, G-F; Brendan Purcell, 5-10, G; Andrew Acker, 6-6, F; Conor Kelly, 6-2, G-F; Zach Thomas, 5-11, G; RaShaan Hollman, 5-11, G; Semaj Reed, 6-5, F.
Cloran's comment: "With our lone senior, AJ Jones, leading the way, we hope to be playing sound, consistent basketball come Jan. 9."
MALVERN PREP
Coach: Jim Rullo, fourth year. Education: Malvern, Drexel. Career: 56-30.
Last year: 7-3, 22-9.
Savvy seven: Ryan Creighton, 5-11, G; Lamon Church, 6-4, G-F; DeQuann Walker, 6-3, F; Tracy Peal, 6-5, C; Brendan Kilpatrick, 6-4, F; Mike Dougherty, 6-4, F; Kevin Rafferty, 6-8, C.
Rullo's comment: "A fun group of kids. We are hoping our tough nonleague contests will prepare us for the extremely competitive Inter-Ac games."
PENN CHARTER
Coach: Jim "Flipper" Phillips, ninth year (missed '09 on sabbatical). Education: Penn Charter, LaSalle. Career: 119-100.
Last year: 3-7, 9-17.
Savvy seven: Tom Noonan, 6-7, F-C; Mick Foley, 6-3, F; Jake Richards, 6-4, F; Michael L. Brown, 6-2, G; John Moderski, 5-9, G; Nick Lamb, 5-9, G; John Loughery, 6-5, F.
Phillips' comment: "We have a great group of young men working together as a team and getting better day by day."