Coach Rogers' All-Stars  and 1,000-Point Scorers

  On Feb. 8, 2020, with a 45-43 victory over Camden Catholic (NJ) in a showcase event, Haverford School coach Bernie Rogers earned his 300th career win over 20 seasons (15 at Archbishop Ryan, five at Haverford School). His biggest moment occurred in 2019, when the Fords (28-0) became the first Inter-Ac League team to post a perfect overall record since Friends' Central in 1939 (21-0). Here are Ben Medland's story and comments collected by John Knebels.

  Special” … “Undoubtable” … “Perfect.”
  Those are some of the words members of the Haverford School’s basketball team used to describe this past season, which concluded last Saturday at Jefferson University during the Pennsylvania Independent School’s Athletic Association boys’ basketball championship.
  Senior guard Jameer Nelson got an and-one to drop, completing the three-point play late in Haverford’s PAISAA Championship win over Westtown, 67-62. Nelson pulled his team ahead by three after Westtown hit a huge three pointer that tied it in overtime.
  Haverford School senior standout Christian Ray was one of the key players in the victory, especially late in the game. Ray scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and in overtime. Ray had a huge offensive rebound and put-back to tie things at 57. During overtime, Ray opened up the scoring with a huge three pointer, and the Fords held onto that lead, solidifying their perfect 28-0 season.
  Perhaps the biggest game of them all came from freshman, Jameel Brown. The 6’4 guard helped keep his team close early on in the contest. The Fords were trailing for most of the game but were within striking distance thanks to Brown’s ability to hit the three ball. Brown ended the contest with 24 points and a total of six-three pointers. He totaled 18 of his 24 points within the first half, which was a big reason the Fords were only down seven at the break, 34-27.
  The third quarter was not the turning point that the Fords had hoped. Haverford School could only trim Westtown’s lead to six, and opened up the fourth trailing, 45-39. It was not until there was 2:42 remaining, that Haverford would take the lead, 55-54.
  The student section was growing all game long for the Fords. The students were finally able to pour onto the court and celebrate the team’s big victory, but not until they waited through an intense four quarters and overtime period. It certainly was a dramatic 67-62 finish for a team who ended the year undefeated.
  After a perfect 28-0 season –the first in modern-day history in the Inter-Academic League – Haverford School players, coaches, and manager were asked: What words would you use to best describe how great this season was? Below, in no particular order, are their responses.
Christian Ray (senior) – “This was a special year as we went 28-0 and won the state title, but it was deeper than just our record. We all enjoyed playing with one another and nobody put their ego in front of the team so we were able to have great practices and trust each other while out on the court. We were overlooked all pre-season and even during the regular season, but with the help of the coaches, parents, and the support of the school, we were able to come out on top and make history in the process.”
  Matt Ator (Varsity/JV Assistant Coach) –“This is my first year at The Haverford School. I knew of the success the team had last year and that expectations were high for this season. We were winning big early on, but there was never any discussion of running the table. The focus was just on winning in the Inter-Ac. After we went 10-0 in the league there was still no discussion of going undefeated, just that we still needed to take care of Camden and the state tournament. It wasn’t until the final buzzer against Westtown that it really started to sink in. Everyday since then, it just feels phenomenal.
  Bernie created a culture where every player and coach knew our team’s abilities, but no one was arrogant about it. We played one game at a time for 28 straight games and the outcome could not have been better!
 
  Continued below . . .  

Bernie Rogers

SEASON BY SEASON
League / Overall
Archbishop Ryan
2001: 11-3 / 17-10
2002: 10-4 / 16-12
2003: 8-6 / 15-12
2004: 9-5 / 16-9
2005: 10-4 / 16-10
2006: 10-4 / 19-7
2007: 9-5 / 16-11
2008: 9-5 / 17-10
2009: 6-8 / 10-13
2010: 4-10 / 7-15
2011: 4-9 / 11-13
2012: 9-4 / 18-5
2013: 9-4 / 14-9
2014: 2-11 / 10-12
2015: 4-9  / 10-13
88-45 / 212-161
Haverford School
2016: 6-8 / 10-15
2017: 11-3 / 19-7
2018: 12-2 / 23-6
2019: 10-4 /  28-0
2020: 2-8  8-17
41-25 / 88-45
TOTAL RECORD
20 Seasons, 2001-2020
League - 129-70
Overall - 300-206
PLAYOFF BREAKDOWN
Appearances Ended in  . . .
First Round (4)
2009, 2011, 2015
Quarterfinals (5)
2003, 2004 , 2005,
 2007, 2012, 2013   
Semifinals
2001, 2006
Finals
2002, 2008

By Ted Silary

  Perhaps it's time for a playful ceremony.
  With everyone gathered 'round before practice, Andrew Rogers could give his basketball coach a pat on the shoulder and say to him warmly, "Great to see you today, Bernie! "
  Don't bet that will happen. It would mean the end of a streak. One that, as much as anything, defines the discipline maintained by Rogers, a 5-8, 155-pound senior point guard for Archbishop Ryan High.
  Bernie, you see, is Andrew's brother and coach. Both agree: In the four seasons they've been together, at least in the gym and locker room, Andrew has never called Bernie anything but coach.
  "If I slipped, I think he'd kill me," Andrew said, smiling.
  Sixteen years after Bernie Rogers, who went on to star at Ursinus, did likewise, Andrew is winding down a career in which he has floor-generaled the Raiders in whirlwind, yet careful fashion.
  Yesterday, like always, he treasured the ball (and scored nine points) as Ryan trimmed visiting Father Judge, 49-45, in a spirited Catholic North contest that started a half-hour late due to a four-overtime JV affair (Ryan won, 58-57) and a short ceremony to honor Ryan's seniors.
  Even as a sophomore, while running a demanding offense long on patience and backdoor cuts, Andrew was committing just 17 turnovers in the Raiders' 14 division contests.
  His total so far this season, Bernie figures, is 20.
  "He really does do exactly what I ask of him," Bernie said. "Don't turn it over. Make sure we get good shots. "
  The questions now are, will a D-I school give Andrew a shot to run its offense? If not, would that be a major disappointment?
  Army, Navy and Cornell have sniffed. Last spring, against all of the best players from this region and even beyond, Rogers thrived in Conshohocken's up-tempo Donofrio Classic for all-star teams. He has visited D-II Merrimack and another school at that level, Philly's University of the Sciences, is pushing hard.
  "I try to ground him," Bernie said. "There are good players at every level. I tell him he could go D-III and still be 'better' than guys at D-I. He appreciates everybody who's recruiting him. But I do believe, if there's a D-I coach out there who's looking for somebody who can run the show and knows what he's doing, and can hit open shots, he can make that guy's team successful. "
  Said Andrew: "Like anyone, I'd like to play at the highest possible level. At the same time, I don't want to wait around. It's not like I'm viewing this like I have to play D-I. I'm going to college for school and where basketball's concerned, I would like to be on the floor as early as possible. "
  For what it's worth, and it no doubt says a lot, Bernie hasn't played Andrew in a game of one-on-one since 2004.
  "As soon as I knew he'd beat me, that was it," Bernie quipped. "He was always skillful. Each year he has gotten stronger and quicker and now there's a very good package. "
  If anything, Andrew figures Big Bro is harder on him than anyone else.
  "There has always been that nice level of respect," Andrew said. "He's my coach. I'm his player. He's always pushing me and, these last 2 years especially, he has helped me become a leader.
  "If we do see each other [after games], he might mention what I could have done better on this play or that play, but he's not [relentless]. He does a good job of keeping things separate. "
  Andrew has seen the pictures, of course, but he has no memories of Bernie's days in a Ryan uniform. He does recall catching his Ursinus games, though, and running onto the court at halftime to try to shoot some baskets.
  Their sister, Genie, enjoyed a Hall of Fame career at University of the Sciences during its days as Philadelphia Pharmacy (Class of '93). Their father, Bernie, is Ryan's trainer. Mom Janie is also a fixture at the games.
  With Rogers collecting five points, one assist and a steal, the Raiders claimed the first quarter, 14-7. They stayed ahead until 1 minute, 13 seconds remained in the game, when Bob Zanneo's left-corner trey made it 45-44, Judge.
  Ryan then hit five free throws, with Anthony Keiter (two of three; also nine rebounds) and Eric Jann (three of four) doing the honors. Judge (Andrew Vose had 18 points) came up dry down the stretch.
  "We know almost all of Judge's guys," Andrew Rogers said. "We've played against them since we were younger, and some even live close to us. "
  Andrew Rogers knows from close, seeing as how he's coached by his brother.
  "I'd go through this again," he said.
  "I would, too. Definitely," Bernie echoed. "I'm going to miss him."

By Ted Silary
  When a basketball player is as small as Bernie Rogers, he learns never to give ground.
  Not even to a truth-seeking reporter who left the house without a measuring tape.
  C'mon, Bernie, what is your actual height?
  "Five-five," he said, stoically. "It's been pretty much the same the past two years. "
  D.J. Mulholland, his coach at Archbishop Ryan, says Rogers is more like 5-2. The coach could have added that Rogers's heart takes up half of his body, if not more.
  In a Catholic North opener last night, Rogers hustled and bustled for 20 points, five assists and even three rebounds, two offensive, as Ryan overcame a 14-2 deficit to defeat visiting Bishop Kenrick, 48-44.
  All observers who left the gymnasium not feeling a certain glow about the point guard's performance should have gone directly to a morgue. They had no pulse.
  "I've been small all my life," Rogers said. "I'm used to it. I don't think about it much. "
  Rogers says his father, Bernie, is 5-6, and his mother, Eugenia, is 5-foot ''at best. "
  Though Rogers's feet are not excessively quick, he uses lightning-like hands to dribble around double-teams or launch jump shots over defenders who appear to guard him closely.
  "Since I knew I'd probably always be small, I worked on ways to compensate," Bernie said. "I've always been naturally quick (at ballhandling) and I've always been confident. My dad always said there might come a time when (being short) hurts me, but (to) play hard and don't think about it. If that time comes, so be it. I don't think it's come yet.
  "When I was little, people would say when I got to a certain age, I wouldn't be able to play anymore. They'd say, 'It'll catch up to him when he gets to freshman ball. ' Others said varsity ball. That just got me more excited about playing. I wanted to prove to everyone that size doesn't matter. "
  Even as a sophomore, Rogers was afforded extensive varsity playing time by Mulholland.
  "He has backed me from the beginning," Rogers said. "That helped a great deal, knowing I had a coach who believed in me. "
  Said Mulholland: "Bernie played against kids three and four years older than him from the time he was in third grade, probably . . . Even though he's 5-5 - excuse me, 5-2 - he doesn't play that way.
  "Some lucky college coach is going to realize that and get a steal. He's going to be able to sit back and relax and watch Bernie take things over on the court, like coach Mulholland is able to do. Bernie's a coach on the floor. "
  Rogers, who maintains a B-plus classroom average and has scored 950 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, has received interest primarily from Division III schools such as Elizabethtown, Allentown and Misericordia.
  "It's only been letters from Division II," he said. "Colleges are a little leery of me. It's going to be tough for someone to take a chance. But when they see what I do here, I just hope they think I'd be able to help a college team. "
  Rogers single-handedly kept Ryan afloat in the first half. He scored 14 points to rally the Raiders into an 18-18 tie. After a quiet third quarter, after which Kenrick owned a 30-24 lead, Rogers again became dominant. He had six points and three assists in the last eight minutes.
  Kenrick's David Neeld (12 points) created the game's last tie, at 44-44, by sticking a three-pointer with 0:48 showing. Rogers made penetration at the other end, drew a two-shot foul and made both free throws at 0:31.
  A wild drive by Neeld resulted in a miss, with the rebound going to Bill Guthrie. Guthrie outletted to Rogers, who sped up the left side and lofted an alley-oop pass to Joe Simko, who made an all-in-one-motion catch and layup.
  "We came out flat (after a triple-overtime junior varsity game won by Ryan). I was scared," Rogers said. "But we stayed calm, and that helped us. "
  Rogers, of course, led the way.
  "He showed great confidence," Mulholland said. "When he does that, it becomes contagious. We told Bernie he had to stay on the court (and avoid foul trouble) and mix up his game.
  "Twenty points and five assists. Sounds like he did what he was told."

2001
Quarterfinal
Ryan 63, La Salle 55
  John Pellegrino (eight) helped the Raiders post 20 assists on 22 baskets, a total higher than its rebounds (16). Andy MacDonald (15) and Chris DiStasio (14) scored in double figures. For La Salle, Tom Mattern shot 9-for-15 overall and 5-for-7 on threes en route to 23 points. Gabe Marabella (13 points, eight rebounds) and Rob Sullivan (11, four assists) also played well.
2002
Quarterfinal
Ryan 71, Judge 61 (OT)
  The Raiders overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 2:20 of regulation to seize the win. Andy MacDonald, a 6-2 center, shot 7-for-10 and 6-for-9 for 20 points and claimed 11 boards. Chris Kozole had 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, six steals. Kozole and Mike Devine hit gigantic treys in the regulation comeback. For Judge, the leaders were Kevin Pierce (15), Tom Keenan (13) and Ryan Haigh (11, five assists).
Semifinal
Ryan 53, SJ Prep 49 (OT)
  Once again the Raiders prevailed in an extra session. Brendan O'Malley shot 8-for-12 (one trey) and 3-for-4 for 20 points and put Ryan ahead for good, 50-49, with an off-balance jumper he somehow got off against a triple-team. Andy MacDonald added 12 points, nine boards. Chris Kozole had 11 points, three assists, four steals. Joe Mullin and Mike Devine dished five and four assists, respectively. For Prep, which missed late treys that could have won it (regulation) and prolonged it (OT), Mark Zoller had 12 points and 15 boards. Chris Clark added 14 points.
2003
North Preplayoff
At La Salle High
Ryan 61, Judge 50
  The Raiders used a 14-5 third quarter to establish command. Mike Devine scored 19 points while frosh Joe Zeglinski mixed 17 points and five assists. Bill Geiger (18) and Tom Keenan (11) topped Judge.
2006
Quarterfinal
Ryan 39, Judge 26
  In his third game back from a devastating football knee injury, sixth man Joe Zeglinski scored 12 points and the Crusaders (8-for-43 floor) posted the CL's lowest postseason total since South Catholic fell to La Salle, 28-23, for the 1950 championship. Jon Bruce had 10 rebounds and Kevin Hudgeons notched five blocks. Only James "J.J." Franklin (13) and Arthur Livingston (seven, 12 boards) had field goals for Judge.
2008
Quarterfinal
Ryan 72, Dougherty 46
  Andrew Rogers had 21 points and five assists to make his brother, Bernie, the winningest coach in school history (131 in eight seasons). John Miller collected 130 in nine seasons ending in '85. The Raiders had not beaten Dougherty, coached throughout the period by '72 Ryan grad Mark Heimerdinger, since the schools' second meeting in the '01 season. Chris Wilk shot 5-for-8 and 4-for-4 for 15 points and Anthony Keiter went 6-for-7 for 12. Ryan used 17 players. Zaahir Allen led Dougherty with 11 points.
Semifinal
Ryan 44, Bonner 42
  After not attempting a shot for two-plus quarters, Andrew Rogers (22) scored all 12 of Ryan's fourth quarter points and won the game by converting a one-and-one with 0:00.8 seconds remaining after being bumped at midcourt while pushing the ball ahead. Bonner had created a 42-42 tie with six seconds left on a second follow by Rob Siter (13 points). Rogers went 7-for-7 from the floor with two treys. His performance was basically matched by Bonner's own little guy, Jamal Melvin (18 points, 7-for-10, 4-for-4 on threes). Melvin was responsible for 18 consecutive points with 12 of his own and assists for three other baskets. Ryan's Eric Jann made up for what could have been a damaging turnover by drawing a charge.
2011
Preplayoff
Ryan 53, Conwell-Egan 45
  With the league down to 14 teams due to the closings of Dougherty, Kennedy-Kenrick and North Catholic, honchos scrapped divisions and decided 10 teams would make the playoffs. This one, played at La Salle, decided 10th place between a pair of 4-9 squads. Eric Fleming scored 29 points, hit three treys in a 20-13 third period and grabbed 10 total rebounds. Christian Rivera had 11 points. Kyle Slawter mixed six rebounds and seven assists while committing no turnovers. Carlton Whitehead (18) led C-E.