by Tom Utescher

After two weeks off as the Gwynedd Mercy Academy Summer League paused for July 4 and the week of AAU tournaments that followed, Germantown Academy returned last Tuesday for its final game of the warm weather season.

Led by 13 points from rising junior Elle Stauffer, 12 from sophomore Becca Booth, and 10 from junior Jaye Haynes, the Patriots took control early against Haverford High School. From a 29-15 advantage at halftime, they would continue on to win, 53-33.

Although there were a few players missing, GA was close to full strength, and this spelled trouble for the Fords.

Stauffer started the proceedings with a drive to the basket, then after a lone Haverford field goal, Haynes, Vizza, and junior Lindsay Putnam each popped in a three-point shot for the Patriots. Stauffer continued to score closer to the basket, and eight-and-a-half minutes into the action Haverford High called time-out, facing a deficit that had grown into double figures, 17-5.

The Fords were more successful on offense after their peptalk, but still couldn’t do much more than prevent Germantown’s lead from becoming insurmountable. The half ended with Vizza’s second three-pointer of the evening, and the tally was 29-15 at the break.

GA rising junior Sarah DiLello (right) focuses on defending a Haverford High School rival. (Photo by Tom Utescher)

As the second round got underway, the Patriots received two field goals apiece from Haynes and Stauffer, with one of Haynes’ buckets coming from the three-point loop. Haverford scored one transition lay-up during this stretch, and less than five minutes into the period the gap stood at 21 points, 38-17.

As in the first half, the Fords played better later in the second stanza, pretty much trading points with the Pats the rest of the way until there was a 20-point difference at the final buzzer.

GA sophomore Booth was facing a Haverford post player who almost matched her height. After scoring one lay-up in the first half, Booth began to maneuver around her rival later on, penetrating for four lay-ups and also sinking a 10-foot jumper.

After the three double-digit scorers for the winners came Vizza, with six points, Putnam with five, and junior Sarah DiLello with four. A basket by freshman Lilly Funk and a free throw by sophomore Charlotte DiLello completed the Patriots’ total.

Throughout the summer season, GA played without the one member of the team who will sign with a Division I school this fall. Senior shooting guard Rachel Balzer committed to George Mason University during the last school year.