Senior Laden Tigers Pick Up Right Where They Left Off

Coming off of their most successful season in the last ten years with trips to the Central League final four and district one quarter finals, and graduating a strong senior class that included last year's leading scorers in Mike Tansey (11.3 ppg) and Ryan Straub (9.2), many hoop heads around Delaware County were eager to see how Marple Newtown would fill those voids and reload. On Tuesday night, the Tigers opened up Central League play with a 50-43 win against Strath Haven, moving to 2-0, thanks to their discipline on both ends of the floor, and several players beginning to grow into bigger roles.

"We were missing some guys tonight, so the fact that other players were presented an opportunity and took advantage of it, is a big confidence booster for those guys as individuals, and our coaches." Said head coach Sean Spratt, who is now in his sixth year in charge of the Tigers.

One of those players who stepped into a bigger role was senior forward Jonny Small, whose 13 points and nine rebounds helped the Tigers create separation against a Strath Haven team that play extremely hard until the very end.

"He's embracing his role. He's learning what he can do and cannot do, and tonight he played within himself. He didn't try to do too much and he set the tone physically on the boards." Said Spratt.

It was indeed a very physical battle on the boards between Small and Strath Haven senior forward Alonzo Ogunde, who led the Panthers with 12 points and eight rebounds as well. For those that are fans of small ball and big man battles, it is hard to find both in the same game, but this was one of those rare occasions where both were in existence. Small and Ogunde showcased very similar skill sets. Both were physical on the glass, strong in both low and mid-post play, and displayed a really good feel for the game, not forcing anything unnecessary with the ball in their hands. At the end of the night, it would be Small and the Tigers prevailing the back and forth contest.

The Tigers offense did a great job of getting the ball to Small. Justin DiBona, the Tigers senior point guard, facilitated an offense that displayed all five players on the floor playing off of each other and with patience. DiBona's ability to get into the lane and create for his teammates provided plenty of opportunities for Small and the likes of fellow seniors Jordan Bochanski and Christian Sessa, who finished with 13 and 12 each, connecting a combined six times from beyond the arc. DiBona, Sessa, Small, and Bochanski, a transfer from Penncrest, are four of ten seniors that give Spratt the optionality to mix and match his personnel into different lineups, with no drop-off in chemistry.

"It starts at practices when the older kids embrace the younger kids. The younger kids learn how good practices are supposed to look. High energy, making each other better, and then when they are given the opportunity, it's something they've seen in practice before." Spratt said.

The Tigers were able to close this one out by taking care of the basketball, and on the defensive end; shrinking the floor on the Panthers' offense, forcing a lot of tough two's, for junior guard Jadan Jauregui who poured in 10 points via the mid range in the second half. While the Tigers' execution down the stretch was evident, their coach credits their ability to close games to something that isn't necessarily tangible, and something that may give them an edge against some of the more talented teams in the league.

"Last year put us over the edge in terms of closing games down the stretch." Said Spratt. "Can we close out games? Can we come from behind in close games? Last year gave us the mental approach of knowing how to close out games."

The experience that the Tigers gained from last season in closing games, has them on the right track thus far, picking them up right where they left off, and poised to be back in the hunt for the Central League, and a return to the district playoffs.