Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Church Farm falls short against Neshaminy
WESTTOWN » Church Farm coach Marc Turner knew going into Wednesday night’s game with undefeated Class 6A power Neshaminy that it would take a herculean effort for his young and inexperienced Church Farm team to topple the Redskins and star guard Chris Arcidiacono, who is averaging over 20 points per game so far this season.
Well, the Griffins held the Redskins’ star guard to a season low seven points, but shot a frigid nine for 40 from the field themselves and never could get the ball down low to 6-foot-10 Jon Bol Ajak, allowing the Redskins to stay undefeated with a 44-26 win in the West Chester Rustin Holiday Tournament. Church Farm also turned the ball
over 14 times in the loss.
“I am so proud of the kids’ effort, especially on the defensive end,” Turner said. “We shut down Arch and we took our chances with the other guys beating us. Not to make excuses but we have not practiced in 10 days because the kids went home, but this is a good learning experience for our kids against a big school and a team that has not lost yet. But, in the end you have to hit shots to give yourself a chance and we did not do that tonight.”
Neshaminy (6-0) was paced by seven 3-pointers and the Redskins shot seven for 17 from behind the arc. Anthony Papeo led the Redskins with 11 points, including three treys and the senior hit two in the late stages of the first half to fuel a 9-0 Neshaminy run that gave the Redskins a comfortable 20-12 halftime edge. Logan Williamson hit a layup at the buzzer to give the Redskins the eightpoint bulge.
“We did a good job defensively but again, they hit shots. We wanted the other guys to try and beat us and tonight they did. But, I feel we are playing very well on defense for a young team in only its third game of the season and we will work things out on offense.” Turner said.
The Redskins came out firing again in the third period as Papeo hit a long corner 3-pointer for a 2312 advantage. Arcidiacono hit another three after a Church Farm (1-2) turnover for a 26-12 lead. The Griffins turned the ball over trying to get it in the post to Ajak and the Redskins’ Danny Bobine scored on a perfect pass from Arcidiacono to make it a 2812 Redskins lead and the Griffins called time out and tried to regroup.
“Everybody has gotten the scouting report on me and they are making it very hard for my teammates to get the ball down low to me,” Ajak said. “But, tonight we were a little rusty because we are a boarding school and everybody went home for Christmas and we got back yesterday. We have not practiced in 10 days but we will be alright after this because now we are back on a schedule.”
Neshaminy outscored the Griffins 12-8 in the third period to take a 32-20 lead into the final period and the Redskins put the game away with a 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter. The Redskins held Bol Ajak to 13 points and only four Griffins entered the scoring column.
Church Farm plays Pottsgrove Thursday and the undefeated Redskins will play West Chester Rustin in the final game of the tournament.
“Defense is usually ahead of the offense,’ Turner said. “And we just did not hit enough shots tonight but I am extremely proud of the kids’ effort.”