Feb 14

Valley Forge used a fast start and a decisive fourth-quarter push to earn a 67-44 home win over Hathaway Brown, continuing the Patriots’ late-season momentum heading into the OHSAA Tournament.

The Patriots jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes, setting the tone with pressure defense and efficient half-court execution. That early burst allowed Valley Forge to control the tempo, forcing Hathaway Brown to play from behind the rest of the night. Whenever the Blazers threatened to close the gap, the Patriots answered with timely scoring and stops to maintain control.

Late in the second quarter, Valley Forge strung together a key 6-0 run to close the half with a six-point advantage. That stretch, fueled by active hands on defense and transition opportunities, sent the Patriots into the locker room with momentum and a working cushion. Hathaway Brown struggled to generate clean looks during that span as Valley Forge tightened its rotations and limited second-chance opportunities.

The Patriots continued to manage the lead through the third quarter, matching Hathaway Brown’s scoring and preventing any major runs. Valley Forge’s half-court defense remained steady, forcing contested perimeter shots and limiting drives to the rim. On the offensive end, the Patriots worked through their primary scorers, moving the ball side to side and finding high-quality shots in the lane and along the perimeter.

Valley Forge then pulled away in the fourth quarter, turning a competitive game into a comfortable win. The Patriots’ pressure began to wear down Hathaway Brown, leading to turnovers that quickly turned into points at the other end. As the possessions tightened, Valley Forge executed in the half court, using patient ball movement and strong finishes at the rim to extend the margin into double digits and put the game out of reach.

Gracie Kercher once again provided consistent scoring for the Patriots, finishing with 15 points against Hathaway Brown and 14-point effort later in the week against Brooklyn helping the Patriots earn a 46-3 victory. Lexi Samarin anchored the attack as well, having led the way with 20 points in the matchup with Brooklyn and following her 10 point performance against HB. Their production has given Valley Forge a reliable offensive foundation as the regular season winds down.

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