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The Index - Sports
December 2017
Nelson nets big expectations BO BRADY ’20 Fords basketball netted a 20-4 overall record and a 6-2 Inter-Ac record last year, though this was not enough for Fifth Former Jameer Nelson. “Nelson is a great player with all-around skill,” says teammate Kharon Randolph. “The energy on the court, defensively, he’s everywhere. He’s very athletic. It’s like a different-level athletic. Three plays in a row, you’ll watch him grab a rebound, catch a crazy pass, [and] lay it up.” This type of athleticism and effort is all over the court this year for the Fords. Nelson hopes to use his athleticism and skill to bring the Fords the Inter-Ac title. Some things will have to change
this year. “Losing, we never want to lose the Inter-Ac again,” Nelson said. “We never want to experience that feeling again.” Nelson and his teammates certainly have the skill and determination to win. “[There is a] 100% chance of dominance this year, without a doubt,” Nelson said. The sharpshooter worked extremely hard in the offseason, working out in the weight room and taking shots in the gym. Still, he’s trying to improve his game, especially, “Finishing close to the rim and working on my left hand.”
Hoopsters aim high MATT MIGNUCCI ’20 Usually, the hardest part about starting a new season at the high school level is dealing with the loss of last season’s seniors. With Haverford’s basketball team, that isn’t a problem. After an impressive 19-7 season last year (7-3 Inter-Ac) with a team consisting of just Fourth Formers and Fifth Formers, the Fords are excited about this upcoming season. “I believe we gel really well as a team,” Sixth Former Kharon Randolph said. “I’ve been here with two coaches and three completely different
teams [in terms of ] the style of play and talent. This is definitely the team that I think knows each other the most. We all love to play with each other and with a year under our belt with each other, it can only get better. We are looking forward to having another successful season.” Though the Fords had a great season last year, considering their amount of coaching and playing experience compared to their opponents, the season still did not end exactly how they had hoped.
Jameer Nelson ’20 driving in against Shipley last year.
My message to the student body is that we haven’t won a championship since 1999. I think it would be great [...] to see an Inter-Ac champion in basketball. The only way to make this possible is to have everyone’s support from the beginning to end. -Kharon Randolph ’18
The fan section cheers on basketball versus Penn Charter last year.
MR. JIM ROESE
“We realize if we fix a couple of mistakes we made in those three of the last five games of the Inter-Ac, we are champions. We understand that,” Randolph said. “The way things ended last year has only fueled and motivated us as a whole. Last year, we were young. Now, we are stronger and better with the same exact team. Our expectations are very high. We have a really
MR. JIM ROESE
tough schedule prior to the Inter-Ac which will prepare us for that. Our expectations are to win those ten games. That’s what is important for us, but we have a great team that can also win more. Our mentality is next rep, next play, next practice, next game. We have to stay in the moment. We also have to stay level-headed, don’t get too high, or too low.” Other than the coaches and players, a key component to all of Haverford’s sports teams success is because of our unmatched student body. Randolph has been a part of the student body for four years now. “My message to the student body is that we haven’t won a championship since 1999. I think it would be great for the classes of ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, and ‘21 to see an Inter-Ac champion in basketball,” Randolph said. “The only way to make this possible is to have everyone’s support from the beginning to end. It goes a long way. I know you guys are expecting big things from us, but we are also expecting things from you.”
McCollum wrestles with future Grapplers hungry for EA TOBY MA ’20
NICK PIPPIS ’19
Sixth Former Chase McCollum looks forward to what the wrestling season has to offer. As a wrestler for twelve years and now captain of the wrestling team, McCollum hopes that he can repeat the success of the 2016-2017 season. Last year, wrestling head coach Mr. Greg Hagel led the team to victories against Germantown Academy, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and the Episcopal Academy, as well as a good showing at the Buckley Duals.
undaunted by the extra challenge when the
Our team goal is to place top three at the PAISAA championships. -Chase McCollum ’18
team eventually competes. As a senior c a p t a i n , McCollum will “step up” into a greater leadership role, guiding the team into what will certainly be many future victories. “Our team is not naturally as gifted, so we’re going to need to outwork every opponent,” said McCollum.
At the 2017 PAISAA Wrestling State Championships, the Fords placed fourth. Individually, McCollum placed third at the tournament, but this year he is working to go beyond in his athletic achievement. “My personal goal is to place at the National Prep Championships,” said McCollum, “and our team goal is to place top three at the PAISAA championships. I am expecting to have a good year with the all the extra work I’ve put in.” Since McCollum was a captain of the team last season as well, he is slightly worried about the overall skill of Haverford wrestlers, but he is
Wrestling is back. The team is ramping up for yet another successful season for the 2017 year. Many team members are optimistic about their potential for success this season. The first real test will be the upcoming “Beast of the East” Wr e s t l i n g tournament, one of the top wrestling tournaments in the country. Usually, three or four of the team’s top players will be sent out to represent Haverford. If they manage to come out successful in the tournament, it would be a great way for the team to start o f f MR. JIM ROESE the season, giving the Fords the Chase McCollum ’18 momentum they need going into wrestling against GA the bulk of their intense season. last year. Despite all the potential for the team this year, they still face a few challenges, one of which is the Fords’ young roster. Although this means great things for the
wrestling program’s future, it raises question of the team’s success this year. In addition, the Fords’ success in the Inter-Ac this year is also a question. Many express some concern towards Malvern Prep, a Philadelphiaarea wrestling juggernaut. Malvern wrestling is currently ranked within the top five in the country.
Although Malvern is a bit of a powerhouse, I suspect that we should be successful against every other team in the Inter-Ac. -Michael Clymer ’18 Despite all the uncertainty, Sixth Former Michael Clymer had many positive things to say about the upcoming Inter-Ac season. “Although Malvern is a bit of a powerhouse, I suspect that we should be successful against every other team in the Inter-Ac,” Clymer said. Another big question is how successful the Fords will be against their rivals Episcopal Academy. “We are going to whack ‘em,” Clymer said.