Upper Moreland earned its first ever trip to the District One AAA final, thanks to Wednesday night’s 60-55 win over Octorara.
By Mary Jane Souder
Advancing to Villanova – and the District One AAA title game – has been a singular goal for Upper Moreland from the outset of the season.
“It was definitely in the back of our heads, but we knew we had to play one game at a time,” senior Matt Kohn said. “When it was Pottstown, Pottstown was in our way to get to the semis. Tonight Octorara was in our way to get to the championship.”
The Golden Bears took care of part one when they defeated Pottstown in Saturday’s quarterfinal round, and on Wednesday night, they completed their mission when – sparked by Kohn’s glittering 28-point effort – they defeated Octorara in a semifinal game at Colonial Elementary School to earn a spot in the district title game.
“It feels awesome,” Kohn said. “We did team goals at the beginning, and the first one had to be to make it to Villanova.
“There’s a picture in our locker room of Villanova’s court, and we slap it every time we walk in and out of that locker room to remind us what our goal is.”
On Saturday night at 8 p.m. under the bright lights of Villanova’s DuPont Pavilion, the Golden Bears will face third-seeded Pope John Paul II in the district title game. It is their first trip ever to the district championship game.
“For the three years, I’ve been here, that has been our goal,” junior Kevin McFall said. “That’s been our goal since day one. We’re not only going to Villanova, we’re punching our ticket to states, and that’s very exciting, but we’re still keeping focused on districts.”
The key to the Bears’ success, according to Kohn, is simple.
“Playing team basketball,” he said. “When someone is not playing well, someone is always there to pick them up.”
McFall pointed to his senior teammate as a key reason why the Bears find themselves one win away from a district title.
“Leadership – Matt’s a great leader,” McFall said. “When he gets going, he’s tough to stop, and everyone kind of knows - you’ve just got to play within yourself at that point.
“He’s a great leader on and off the court.”
Kohn displayed that leadership in a brilliant first half performance that saw him score 17 points. The senior guard and McFall both had six points in a first quarter that saw the Bears hold a 14-12 edge over the Braves.
“In a game like this, both teams are amped up,” coach Brian Corrado said. “Both teams were feeling each other out early – a little nervous, but they used their nervous energy in a positive way.
“We got out on the fast break, we did some things defensively that I thought were good, and it allowed us to settle in and find our groove.”
Kohn added 11 points in a second quarter that saw the Bears outscore Octorara 16-11 to go into halftime with a 28-23 lead.
“He was awesome,” McFall said of Kohn. “He got everyone fired up.”
“It seems like every game I get off to a good start, we get off to a good start,” Kohn said. “I was definitely trying to do that, even if I wasn’t scoring.”
Corrado pointed to Kohn’s defensive effort as significant as well.
“People will look at the boxscore and see all the points he scored, but he also did a very good job defensively,” the Golden Bears coach said. “He was a man possessed tonight. You could see it in his eyes. He’s a special kid. He excels in a few sports, and it’s nice to have a kid like that on your side.”
McFall also did his part to make sure the Golden Bears would come out on top, adding 15 points – six in the pivotal fourth quarter.
The Golden Bears took a 42-37 lead into the final quarter, but Octorara made it a 44-41 game only to watch McFall answer with a reverse layup at the other end. Again, the Braves cut the lead to three, and this time Tommy Robinson answered with a layup to put the Bears on top 48-43. A putback by McFall stretched that lead to 50-43.
“Kev did a phenomenal job picking me up,” Kohn said of McFall. “He stepped up in the fourth quarter. It was huge.”
“We pride ourselves in conditioning,” Corrado said. “Kevin does especially, and I thought he did a phenomenal job of sucking it up when he had to.”
The Braves would get no closer than six the rest of the way, and with time winding down, Upper Moreland’s student section began chanting ‘We want Pope. We want Pope.’ They will get their wish on Saturday night when the Golden Bears will face Pope John Paul II in the title game.
“We’re still hungry,” Kohn said. “I think we have a special team. I think we’re ready to not only win the district championship but to make a push in states.”
James Martin added nine points for the Golden Bears, who -just two years removed from a 2-21 campaign - upped their record to 13-11.
“We’re battle tested,” Corrado said. “Look at the league we play in. It’s paying off. I’m happy for the kids and the program. It’s a good feeling. They’re hungry, they want more.
“Octorara has been to the district final two of the last three years, and Holy Ghost is a perennial power, but it’s always been a goal. These kids bought into it. The timing is right, the talent is there, and the skill level is there. I’m proud of the guys because they seized the moment. Not everybody is playing this time of year, so we’re very fortunate - fortunate because of the group of men in that locker room. They’re a good group of kids. They work hard.”
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