I was watching Saturday's game courtside and I could still barely believe it.
It did actually happen, though. I mean, it was in the newspaper, so it has to be true. But the most intriguing question out of all of this is simply: How?
I tried to explain it in my game story, but I think a comeback like that merits a closer and more detailed look at what the William Penn boys' basketball team was able to do to turn a 17-point deficit with 3:30 remaining into a three-point deficit at the 1:05 mark.
It started with Reading trying to slow the game down, which had the unintended consequence of getting the Red Knights out of sync.
With that 17-point lead, Reading held the ball for about 45 seconds before a Jevaughn Murphy steal ended the possession and led to a Malik Generett basket with 3:30 showing on the clock. On the next possession, the Red Knights waited about 20 seconds before taking a shot, which was rebounded by William Penn and led to a pair of made free throws by Malik Generett.
At this point, there was about 3:00 left and William Penn's pressure took over, causing a turnover and a quick bucket from Murphy. Reading was trapped again in the backcourt on the ensuing inbound and called a timeout with 2:51 remaining.
It didn't do much to help, as Murphy came up with a steal and Leonard made two more free throws to cut the lead to nine at 2:43. The Bearcats were called for a coupe of reach in fouls on the next Reading possession which helped drain some time, but Delvon Brown missed a field goal attempt which was rebounded by Generett and led to a floater by Murphy. Seven points at 1:52.
There were more backcourt fouls called on William Penn on the next Reading possession, and the Bearcats finally picked up their seventh team foul, which put Marcus Dawkins on the foul line for the 1-and-1. Dawkins missed, Leonard grabbed the rebound and Chemin Lambert hit a pull up jumper. With 1:25 showing on the clock, the lead was five.
Another Reading possession, another missed shot, another William Penn rebound, this time by reserve guard Thomas Montouth. Kelvin Parker drove to the hoop and converted the layup that made it a one-possession game with 75 seconds remaining.
That was the comeback. The rest was just poised play in a close game down the stretch, which should be lauded as well, of course.
The fact that William Penn managed to do the seemingly impossible makes them that much more likely to win the District 3 Class AAAA title, in my opinion. For three and a half quarters, the Bearcats were off their game. They are going to play better in tonight's semifinals and Saturday's title game.
And if it is close late in the fourth quarter, the Bearcats have the poise and confidence to get the job done.
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