Rick O'Brien: Church Farm's Larry Cermak an inside presence

While it's hard to tell, Larry Cermak says he has added about 20 pounds to his 6-foot-10 frame since arriving at the School at Church Farm.

"I weigh about 195 pounds now," the rail-thin senior center said. "I've been on a weight-gain program. With me, it doesn't happen easily. It's a very slow process."

Cermak, a native of the Czech Republic, left Prague 21/2 years ago for Church Farm, a boarding school in Exton, Chester County.

"The transition wasn't as hard as I thought it would be," he said. "Everybody has been real friendly and helpful."

In Friday's PIAA Class A first-round state matchup against District 3's New Hope Academy, Cermak contributed nine rebounds, six blocked shots, and three second-half points as the Griffins ousted the Mighty Ants, 58-44.

His parents, Milos and Senta, were on hand for the game at Colonial Elementary School.

"They're here for two weeks," Larry Cermak said. "It's the first time I've seen them since I was home during Christmas break. It's great to have them here."

How did Cermak grow to be 6-10? Just take a glance at his parents. His father Milos is 6-9, and mother Senta is 6-0.

"Yeah, it's pretty easy to pick out my dad at games," Larry Cermak said with a laugh.

Against New Hope, Cermak went 3 for 5 from the line. Three of his nine boards came on offense.

"His presence inside really helps us," said Church Farm junior guard Aondofa Anyam, a native of Nigeria who netted a game-high 19 points in the victory.

"He's also a great teammate. If someone is struggling or down, he's the first guy there to pick that player up."

Next up for Cermak and the Griffins (23-6) is a second-round matchup on Tuesday against District 11's Mahanoy Area (22-5).

Church Farm beat New Hope despite 28 turnovers.

"We kind of all agreed that it wasn't our best game," Cermak said. "We need to focus more on ball control."

In each of the last two seasons, the Griffins, who have won three straight District 1 titles, reached the state quarterfinals before losing to Math, Civics & Sciences.

Cermak will continue his hoops career at Skidmore College, a Division III school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Ex-Griffin Doolun Anyam, Aondofa's brother, plays for the Thoroughbreds.

Will the big man stay in the United States after college?

"I'm open to it," said Cermak, who plans to major in economics. "A lot would depend on the job opportunities that are available after I graduate."

Kohn sidelined. A broken right wrist kept Matt Kohn from playing for Upper Moreland in Friday night's Class AAA state opener against District 3's Susquehanna Township.

With Kohn on the bench, the Golden Bears were held to nine first-half points and bowed to the quicker Indians, 62-42.

"It was tough not playing," the senior lead guard said. "More than anything, I wanted the guys to see that they could win without me in there. It's been a team effort all year."

Kohn, who averaged 14.6 points this season, suffered the injury six days earlier, when Upper Moreland downed Pope John Paul II, 57-49, at Villanova for its first District 1 crown.

"I went up for a layup in the fourth quarter, kind of got my legs taken out from under me," he said. "I tried to catch myself, but came down hard on my wrist."

Kohn plans to be a walk-on at West Chester.

"It's been school and sports my whole life," he said. "Why stop now?"

Tap-ins. Church Farm's Mlynue Reeves, a 6-7 senior, has received interest from Gettysburg, Arcadia, and Susquehanna. Gettysburg is his probable destination. . . . For St. Joseph's Prep, Steve Vasturia has hit 57 of 145 three-point tries. Teammate Miles Overton is 39 for 143. . . . Ben Holl, who averaged 22.5 points and hit 97 three-pointers in 23 games for Friends Select this season, finished his career with 1,313 points. He is the Falcons' No. 2 all-time leading scorer, just behind 2005 graduate John Noonan (1,320). Noonan went on to play at Ursinus and briefly overseas.

Germantown Academy's James Drury drained 48 treys in 29 appearances. . . . Christopher Dock's Jared Armstrong, a sophomore point guard, averaged 16.1 points and nailed 44 threes. . . . Susquehanna Township (25-4) will be a formidable second-round opponent for Imhotep Charter. The Indians have five scoring threats, including 6-6 senior Jonas Page and 6-3 sophomore Joe Marshall, who has received early interest from Bucknell and Virginia Commonwealth. Nehemiah "Bud" Mack (8.2 ppg., 48 treys) is arguably the best freshman guard in the state.

For Neumann-Goretti, which is pitted against District 2's Scranton Prep (19-8) in the second round of the Class AAA tourney, Ja'Quan Newton and John Davis average 19 and 14.7 points, respectively. . . . In Souderton's run to the second round of districts, senior John Kanas averaged 16.4 points. . . . Hatboro-Horsham's Zach Quattro (49), Ryan Kelly (48), and Mike Brown (40) combined for 137 threes. . . . Freshman Cary Angeline averaged 15.1 points for Downingtown East. . . . Mauriece Bowers of Octorara averaged 16.8 points and drilled 37 treys.