Phelps School Defeats Hill School To Advance to PAISAA Semi-Final

The Phelps Lions Prep Basketball Team (16-10, PAISAA #7 Seed) will face the Malvern Prep Friars (25-4, PAISAA #3 Seed, Inquirer Southeastern PA #6) during the final four of the PAISAA men’s basketball championship on Friday, February 21 at 8pm. All indications for the game point to the Friars winning the game given their higher seeding coupled with their 18 game winning streak. They also feature one of the top players in the area and prolific scorer in Bucknell commit Deuce Turner. The Lions are no strangers to overcoming insurmountable odds and have been doing it all season if you look at little closer at their schedule. Highlights of the season include two wins over the Hill School most recently defeating the #2 seeded Rams in the tournament, going 3-0 and winning their bracket of the Phelps/Westtown Classic, and capturing the Peddie School Invitational Tournament for the second consecutive year, and becoming only the eighth school to do so since the prestigious tournament was founded in 1972. Likewise, their season has included some “valleys” which any experienced coach will tell you every team goes through inconsistencies each year, but the key is the peak at the end of the year, particularly the postseason.

If you ask first year Head Coach Trey Morin, the Lions are right where he wants them to be, flying under the radar. In a recent game against nationally ranked St. Thomas More, the Lions more than held their own falling in a close battle. According to Coach Morin, “it’s games such as these that I believe have prepared this team for this moment against Malvern Prep.” Arriving to Malvern, PA this summer from prestigious Bates College, Coach Morin’s first year has progressed almost in parallel to his team as he navigated PAISAA and elite prep basketball programs as a first time head coach. “He’s done an amazing job and deserves so much credit for what he has accomplished. Many people wouldn’t even realize how difficult it is to have so many first year players and be in the position this team is in,” stated Phelps School AD Jason McGhee.

The 2019-2020 PAISAA final four will include traditional powerhouses such as Westtown (22-7, PAISAA #1, Inquirer Southeastern PA #3), Malvern Prep (25-4, PAISAA #3, Inquirer Southeastern PA #6), and Perkiomen (21-6, PAISAA #4), but according to Phelps School assistant coach Mike Mansi, now in his 12th season, “we’ve been in 4 of the last 6 PAISAA semi-final, winning it in 2015, but no one ever talks or writes about us.” Maybe the lack of recognition is what has kept Phelps School motivated to go out and slay the giants. “Since defeating Malvern Prep in December, they’re a different team, we’re a different team and our guys have long forgotten about winning on their home court, but I’m sure they haven’t. We know they’ll be out for revenge, but we’ll be ready,” swears Coach Morin.

For once, the Lions won’t be flying under the radar, at least not to Malvern Prep.

Go Lions!

About Phelps, since 1946, The Phelps School has been dedicated to the individual boy. Phelps is a diverse, close-knit community---over 100 students, boarding and day, sixth grade to seniors and postgraduates, and their dedicated faculty mentors. Phelps shares a vital goal: to help students become better learners and to help boys become better men.