William Penn drawing lofty comparisons
Sooner or later, it was going to happen. This year's William Penn boys' basketball team is 14-1. The Bearcats have won 13 in a row now, following Wednesday's win against YAIAA Division II leaders Dover. They're currently the top-ranked team (according to power points) in District 3 Class AAAA, and they're starting to receive some recognition around the state. So eventually the comparison was going to come up. The one in which people ponder how this team year's Bearcats team stacks up against the 2008-09 squad that advanced the Class AAAA state title game. The topic came up Wednesday, in a post-game interview with William Penn juniors Collin Smith and Dejian Williams. The two were asked if they think at all about trying to duplicate that team's success. "Every day (Bearcats coach Troy Sowers) talks about we got to be like them," Smith said. "He also told us he thinks we're kind of better than that team because we can kind of score in different ways. You see tonight Parker had an off game, and somebody else steps up." So there you go. In a way, it's not a fair comparison at this point. The 08-09 squad didn't lose until the District 3-AAAA final, and proved itself against some of the biggest and best teams from around the state. That team also had a pair of absolute anchors in the paint, in the form of forwards Malachi Leonard and Malik Generett. This year's group? As promising as they look, they are still just 15 games into the season. I admittedly was not here for the Bearcats' run to the state title game, so I cannot compare the two teams. I do know, however, that there will be bigger tests to come for the 2010-11 team, ones that will define how this season is remembered. The promise is there, though. This team appears to have all the ingredients. Right now, they have to be considered the favorites to win the YAIAA tournament, and they're certainly among a small crowd of teams pegged to contend for the district title. Eventually, we may end up mentioning this team with the 2008-09 squad. Ultimately, only time will tell. Agree? Disagree? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section.