William Penn wins Flight-A opener over Appo High

 

(Middletown, DE)  William Penn fell behind early, but closed the first quarter on a 16-5 run to lead Appoquinimink 21-10 Thursday night in boys basketball action. The Colonials actually found themselves down 1-0 before the game clock started. A William Penn player dunked the ball during pregame warmups, resulting in a technical foul. Jaguar junior guard Riley Busby converted one of two free throws to give Appo the lead before the game clock started. Buzby nailed a long range shot at the “top of the circle” giving the Jags an 8-5 lead before the Colonials went on their big run to end the quarter.

Appo trailed 28-10 early in the second quarter as Emmanual Vonhm poured in 9 points scoring in the paint and from beyond the arc to pace William Penn. Head coach Tom Purse (in his 7th year at Appo) called a timeout, settled his team, and watched them go on a run of their own (14-2) as they went into the half down by 6 points at 30-24.

The two teams played an even second half, both scoring 22 points in the third quarter, and 20 points each in the final frame as the Colonials secured a “hard fought ” 72-66 win. Vonhm scored a game-high 30 points including three from long range. Asked about Vonhm’s ability to step out and shoot the three, Head coach Gary Lumpkin told us after the game, “E-man is not going to Steph Curry it, but I was pleased with his shot selection tonight as he has the ability to knock it down.” Colonial teammate Jaylin Horsey added 15 points and several excellent assists. William Penn held Appo’s leading scorer Kaleb Ra’lfa to just 2 points in the opening half, disrupting his offensive looks at the basket. Coach Lumpkin was asked about his team’s overall effort. “My expectations for this team are high…we have a way to go for where we plan to be.” His team made a late charge last season, advancing all the way to the state championship game at the Bob Carpenter Center, losing to Salesianum.

The Colonials took a double-digit lead late in the game but Coach Purse’s Appo Jags played tough to the final buzzer and closed the gap to make it close. Although he scored only two points in the opening half, Ra’lfa nailed three shots beyond the arc and finished with 20 points for the game to lead the Jags. Daniel Harvey chipped in with 13, while Riley Buzby and Dillon Griffith added 10 points each.