Upper Darby 47, Harriton 41: Fisher, Royals Headed to States

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Teddy Bailey

Editor - Suburbs Section

Teddy Bailey is the Suburbs Editor for PhilahoopsHigh. Prior to joining Philahoops, Teddy had created his own site and has written for Bleacher Report, SportsThenAndNow.Com and other sites/publications. Feel free to contact him on Twitter @TheTeddyBailey.

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The Upper Darby Royals are headed to the PIAA Class AAAA State Tournament for the first time since the 2006-2007 season.

Harriton’s Matt Sherman defends Upper Darby’s Nii Kotei Nikoi. (Teddy Bailey/ Philahoops High)

James Fisher hit five three-pointers and finished with 19 points to lead #9 Upper Darby over #25 Harriton 47-41 in front of a packed house at Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Kuity Slanger added 11 points for the Royals.

The Rams led for most of the night thanks to Brandon Winston and Alex Shippen each scoring 14 points. Harriton jumped out to a fast start on both sides of the ball, taking a 14-5 lead into the second quarter. The Royals found Beni Toure (11 points) inside and Fisher’s threes started to fall in the second quarter, as they closed the deficit to 22-15 at the break.

A big part of the Royals’ win was shutting down 1,000 point scorer Matt Sherman, who made only one field goal and was held to six points.

Upper Darby took their first substantial lead late in the fourth quarter after a Fisher three and a Toure jam that got the crowd on its feet, as the Royals were ahead 43-39 with two minutes to play and never let the Rams get close.

With the win, the Royals earn a date with #1 Chester on Friday at 7pm and have qualified for the State Tournament. The Rams visit the #16 Strath Haven Panthers on Friday and must win two in a row to qualify for the State Tournament.

“I think it’s going to be a tough Central League battle”, said Harriton coach Jesse Rappaport. “There is more on the line this time. We respect them (Strath Haven). They smacked us once and then we did a pretty good job the second time.”

“I need to pick them up. All we talked about afterwards is that we’re still alive.”

Second Round Scores:

#9 Upper Darby 47, #25 Harriton 41

#2 Lower Merion 75, #15 Penncrest 42

#13 Ridley 64, #4 Norristown 61 (OT)

#1 Chester 85, #16 Strath Haven 44

#6 Methacton 54, #11 Souderton 45

#10 Coatesville 65, #7 Hatboro-Horsham 57

#3 Great Valley 60, #14 Central Bucks South 57 (OT)

#5 Abington 66, #12 Penn Wood 52

Quarterfinal Matchups (Friday):

#1 Chester vs. #9 Upper Darby