Phoenixville starts fast, finishes strong vs Upper Merion

PHOENIXVILLE » Phoenixville’s top priority heading into its season opener against Upper Merion was simple — set the tone.

The Phantoms certainly checked that box, scoring the game’s first seven points and holding a ninepoint lead at the end of the first quarter. They maintained a lead for the rest of the game and held off a late Upper Merion rally to pick up a 43-35 Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division win Friday night at Phoenixville Area High School.

Mike Memmo was a key to the Phantoms (1-0) fast start. The 6-foot-4 senior scored nine of his game-high 12 points in the first quarter to give his side a comfortable lead.

“One of our goals in the locker room was set the tone,” he said. “We knew we had to do that. It’s a big game, division game, had to come out fast, couldn’t be slow, had to get a lead.

“I was excited to get out there and shoot the ball, they were falling for me. I was hustling for rebounds. It was working.”

Will Allain and Josh Warren each added baskets in the first quarter to help Phoenixville jump out to a 13-4 lead after eight minutes.

“Our number one key was set the tone,” Phoenixville coach Eric Burnett said. “Every player on my team knows that. We talked about setting the tone right away — managing first-game nerves and excitement and just setting the tone. It started with a really good JV game — those guys all practice together. JV started it and varsity came through and set the tone for a win.”

Upper Merion (0-1) trailed by multiple possessions most of the rest of the game, but never went away before making their run in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defense kept them in the game, forcing 10 second-half turnovers, while the offense was struggling to hit shots.