ANC wins big to take second title in a row

After losing to talent-filled Academy of the New Church by 21 points a week ago, Friends' Central was a prohibitive underdog heading into last night's Friends Schools League boys' championship game.

Things worsened significantly for the Phoenix when 6-foot-6 forward Cyleb Burton, their leading scorer, got into first-half foul trouble and ended up playing just seven minutes. The squad already was minus freshman guard Devin Coleman, sidelined with a broken thumb.

So, not surprisingly, ANC pretty much did whatever it wanted en route to a 64-40 triumph at Haverford College. The Lions, ranked No. 2 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, bagged their second consecutive league title.

Drexel-bound Sam Givens provided 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in the win. Larry Loughery chipped in 14 points and 11 boards.

"We were a big favorite, but it's always nice to win a championship," said Loughery, a 6-7, 210-pound senior forward and transfer from St. Joseph's Prep.

In the FSL girls' final, 6-2 junior Alex Lennon recorded 23 points to power Shipley to a 51-42 win over Germantown Friends.

Givens hit his first five shots, including a pair of breakaway dunks, as ANC (23-2) sprinted out to an 18-7 lead. The Lions stretched their advantage to 31-13 by intermission.

Loughery shot 6 for 11 from the field and 2 for 6 from the line. Five of his 11 rebounds came on the offensive end. He also had a blocked shot and steal in 28 minutes.

"He's huge for us," ANC coach Kevin Givens said. "He's had a tremendous season. We're happy to have him."

Loughery, of Blue Bell, has had to adjust to living on ANC's Bryn Athyn campus. "It was tough in the beginning," he said. "But it's going to help me later in life. I'm doing more things on my own, not depending so much on my parents."

For college, Loughery has narrowed his choices to Penn, Princeton, Lehigh and Loyola (Md.)

"I would love to go to Penn," the 18-year-old said. "I'm waiting to hear if I got in. I should know within the next two weeks."

The Lions pressured Friends' Central (13-3) into 13 first-half turnovers. Burton and the injured Coleman average 14.4 and 13.4 points per game, respectively.

"When you play a team like that, you need all your guys in there," Phoenix coach Jason Polykoff said.

Malique Killing, a 5-8 freshman point guard, paced Friends' Central with 14 points. Forwards Samuel Propper (10 rebounds) and Peter Chawaga (seven rebounds) each had six points.

Friends' Central 7 6 14 13 - 40

Aca. New Church 18 13 18 15 - 64

FC: Henry Lobb 7, Samuel Propper 6, Peter Chawaga 6, Malique Killing 14, Ahmed Zachary 3, Lance Jones 2, Garry Guy 2.

ANC: Sam Givens 18, Larry Loughery 14, Ken Ross 9, Clay Penecale 2, Shannon Givens 4, Warren Gillis 6, Travis Heinrichs-Norman 5, Lyndon O'Connor 2, Jonathan Riles 2, Lucas O'Connor 2.

Germantown Friends 7 9 17 9 - 42

Shipley 14 13 9 15 - 51

GFS: Nina Voith 19, Shelby Tucker 7, Marisol McKee 4, Julya Loder 7, Jasmine West 2, Talitha Smith 3.

S: Alex Lennon 23, Brianna Ross 7, Alex Davis 2, Alisha Fairfax 10, Maureen Gentry 9.