Sidwell makes plays to distance itself

Ron Bailey, Publisher

SFS is in control of the MAC now.

February 1, 2012 - Going into last night’s Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference contest, Sidwell Friends School (DC) was atop the conference at 6-0, followed by Maret’s 6-1 (DC) mark. Though their then overall records of 14-5 and 10-11 were more starkly differentiated, and SFS previously pummeled Maret 72-38, stakes were pumped coming into the tip-off; Maret’s Frogs needed the win to not only tie SFS, but position itself for the season’s back stretch. The school’s fans understood, packing their Northwest, DC gym in anticipation.

Unfortunately for them, at the final bell Maret had a half game cushion in second place, as they fell 59-44 to SFS. Super junior prospect Josh Hart had 19 rebounds for the victors, though only 12 points, considerably under his average/ability, while suffering through ankle and hip injuries.

Who then, led the Quakers?

Jamal Lewis was the poster boy for leader last night.

None other than Penn-bound senior guard Jamal Lewis, who finished with a game high 19 points. His offensive output was significant, but equally so were the winning plays he made. For instance, with less than three minutes to play and SFS nursing an eight point lead, after a turnover Lewis dug in and created a held ball. The play re-secured possession of the ball.

“He was great tonight” summed afterward SFS’s head coach, Eric Singletary, of Lewis’ play. “I think he understood Josh wasn’t going to be a hundred percent. You could tell the determination (Lewis had). Some uncharacteristic turnovers…but that was because he was in the flow of the game. But his toughness level was on display. He made all the big plays for us”.

Lewis noted of that play in particularly “I saw the ball, he had the ball down low, and I just went to get it”. Of his overall performance, Lewis was modest, saying “I just tried to do whatever I could to help the team win” and match his teammates' intensity”.

“He really kept us in it. I think down the stretch he was really someone to look to” opined Hart of Lewis’ impact.

That effort and leadership was contagious - witness senior guard Curtis Oberg’s fantastic sequence: After missing a layup opportunity generated by Lewis’ steal and hit ahead, Oberg, a highly regarded soccer prospect, raced back on defense before sneaking up behind the ball hander and stealing by diving tap, the rock. That effort led to a Hart dunk, and the game’s final score. To use a tennis phrase, ‘Game, set, match’, as the Frogs were done at that point, clearly being demoralized.

“That’s championship play. We preach that all the time – move on to the next play” recalled Singletary of Oberg’s sequence. “Not only did he tap it, but it lead to a dunk”.

Maret was led in scoring by sophomore guard Jalen Barnes’ 15 points. Junior guard Marlon Beck contributed 10 points for the school, who hosts Flint Hill, Thursday.

Sidwell, who also got 14 points from junior guard Phil McGloin, is off until February 7th, when they welcome Georgetown Day. Upon returning to the hardwood, the Quakers will still enjoy the MAC’s first place position at 7-0, no matter what occurs elsewhere in the conference.

Recruiting Notes: Phil McGloin, 5’10”, 160 pound junior guard, Sidwell Friends School – Scored 14 points, mostly from perimeter, and was not afraid of the moment. Will show ball and drive, as well as shoot. Needs to burnish stop and pop game, and get stronger.

Phil McGloin pulling up on the break for three.

Singletary on McGloin: “I can’t even tell you how big he’s been, and it starts in practice. He’s dialed in, and he’s had a good season. But he’s only getting better…to see hi m play this way, from all the work he’s put in – he’s probably one of our hardest workers when it comes to putting in his own time – it’s good to see him reap the rewards of that work”.

Lewis also noted McGloin’s work ethic as exemplary.

According to Singletary “the University of Chicago and some D-III’s” are interested. In his estimation more schools will as well.