January 17, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Sports

Tough week in Inter-Ac for Springside basketball
by TOM UTESCHER

Springside School’s Tori Baggio led Springside in both points (nine) and rebounds (nine) while GA’s Alexa Gallagher earned the Patriots eight points. For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com. (Photos by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

Last week, the Springside School basketball team passed through the meatgrinder portion of the Girls Inter-Ac schedule, losing to each of the top three teams in the league.

The Lions played well during the first half of Tuesday’s game, eventually bowing to visiting Episcopal Academy, 55-45. In another home game two days later, Springside just did not have the weapons to match up against league runner-up Notre Dame Academy, which won 42-18.

On Saturday, the Lions made the short trip out to Germantown Academy, where they experienced a 48-24 setback against the nine–time defending Inter-Ac champions. At week’s end, Springside owned a record of 3-12 overall, and 0-6 in league competition

GFS regroups for win over Hill School
by Justin Goldman

The Germantown Friends Girls basketball team finally had its entire cast of characters back in an impressive 57-45 over the Hill School on Monday afternoon at GFS. Freshman Julya Loder returned to action after spraining her ankle against Delco Christian School on December 8th. Though Loder was not much of a factor in the contest, just having her on the floor as a threat was paramount for the Tigers.

Powerful GA grapplers make Devils blue
by TOM UTESCHER

GA’s Kevin Blalock re-attaches his headgear for the fiorst of many times. For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com. (Photos by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

If last Friday’s league opener is any indication, it won’t be easy to break Germantown Academy’s hold on the Inter-Ac wrestling title.

Taking 12 of the 14 weight classes, the four-time defending champs chalked up a 62-10 victory at Chestnut Hill Academy against an improved Blue Devils squad that came into the meet with an 8-2 overall record. Each team forfeited one individual match, with the Patriots (5-1) giving a pass to CHA’s Alex Blenheim at 135 lbs., while Chestnut Hill handed back the points to GA’s 103-pound Chris Dinnien.

Following the forfeit at 135, the first match actually wrestled was a 140 lb. contest between two freshmen. Corey Goldstein of the Blue Devils avoided a pin, but GA’s John Allenson kept piling up the points until he claimed a 16-0 technical fall midway through the third period. Meeting at 145 were Patriot sophomore Brian McCauley, who often wrestles in a lighter class, and CHA freshman Dan Gallagher, who can compete up at 152, if needed. Gallagher came from behind to tie the bout at 6-6 early in the third period, but McCauley pulled off a reversal and then a pin with 45 seconds remaining.

CHA hockey freezes Friars
by TOM UTESCHER

After dropping their first three ice hockey contests of the season, Chestnut Hill Academy closed out 2007 with a win over the Haverford School junior varsity, and the Blue Devils’ momentum carried over into the New Year as they defeated the Malvern Prep JV, 5-2, last Thursday afternoon.