The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Talent, teams continued to shine in most unusual season
A season unlike any other tested players on and off the court in ways they could not have expected.
There were no games in December, no holiday tournaments or day-long showcase events, most teams were limited to league-only schedules, fan attendance was limited or not allowed at all and there was a constant specter of everything ending without warning. On the court, players had to wear masks and endured a lot of games compressed into a short schedule.
Despite all these challenges and others, the players, coaches and teams of the area showed their resilience and adaptability.
Team accomplishments and standout individual efforts rose above in 2021. Archbishop Wood returned to the top, capturing its first PCL title since 2016 and its first state title since 2017 with a win in the PIAA Class 4A title game.
Three teams saw their run of district titles continue, but for one, it was the also the end of the line. Gwynedd Mercy Academy, the regular season AACA champion, lifted the District 1-4A title for a fourth straight year before ending the season against Wood in the PIAA quarterfinals.
Jenkintown, which graduates a senior class that went 107-5 in four years, made its second PIAA Class A final in four years, falling to Bishop Guilfoyle. Before that, the Drakes won their sixth straight District 1 title and coach Jim Romano his 700th game.
St. Basil Academy won the AACA tournament for the fifth straight year and extended its District 1-3A run to the same number. Unfortunately with the school closing at the end of the academic year, the Panthers won’t be able to defend either title next winter.
Plymouth Whitemarsh won the SOL Liberty title and finished second in District 1-6A, a state playoff contender in any other season. Upper Moreland continued its build with a share of the SOL Freedom title, a home playoff game and District 1-5A semifinal bid.
As with most years, the area will bid fare