2011 - 2012 Boys Varsity Basketball

Phillips Exeter Boys Basketball opened the 2011-12 season with a road win versus Bunker Hill Community College on Nov 22. Following three days of final exams, Exeter was eager to get to on the court for the first game of the season.

With four games already under their belt, BHCC was quick out of the gate with full court pressure defense and consistent denial in the half court. Exeter struggled through some poor defensive possessions in the going minutes, landing players in early foul trouble. With several players contributing early in the game Exeter was finally able to sustain some energy on the defensive end, resulting in some quicker opportunities in transition. Trailing by a point with five minutes to play in the first half, junior Chris Braley converted a three in transition off of a Showly Nicholson ('12) assist, sparking a 13-2 Exeter run to finish the half.
Following intermission Exeter was able to methodically build the lead to 20 points at the 12 minute mark after a Kendrick Morris ('14) offensive rebound and put back. Cam Shorey's ('12) drive inside increased the Exeter lead to 26 points with just under 8 minutes to play.

All eleven Exeter players contributed to the improved defensive effort in the second half. Matt Chiusano led all scorers with 18 points. Braley and Shorey added 16 points a piece while combining for 15 rebounds. Nicholson gathered 7 assists to two turnovers on top of a strong defensive effort.
Following a ten day post-exam vacation, Exeter will resume play in the home opener versus Hebron Academy on Dec 7th before playing back to back Class A league games.

 

 

Exeter 75

Hebron 70

  

Phillips Exeter defeated Hebron in an early season non-league game at Exeter on Wednesday. Following the ten day break Exeter was slow out of the blocks shooting a low percentage from the field in the first half. The undersized Hebron held a single point lead for much of the first half with 5 three point shots and transition baskets off of careless Exeter turnovers. Trailing by a point at the half, Exeter tightened up defensively in the early moments of the second half. Showly Nicholson's ('12) traditional three point play gave Exeter a lead it wouldn't lose. Blake Chasen's ('12) scoring bucket inside pushed Exeter's lead to 10 with 8 minutes to go. Yet, Hebron's hot perimeter hand kept the game close as the lead diminished to 4 late in the contest. Exeter converted free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Connor Green ('12) was Exeter's leading scoring with 28 points, followed by Chris Braley ('13) with 16 points. Chasen collected 8 rebounds and Nicholson added 7 assists to one turnover. Exeter travels to Babson College to play Tabor Academy in the first league game of the season this Saturday. Tabor, one of the top teams in Class A, returns four key players. Exeter and Tabor split their two head to head games last year.

Submitted by Coach Tilton

Exeter improved to 4-0, 2-0 in Class A New England with a home win versus Milton Academy on Wednesday. Exeter built a 17 point first half lead on a Milton team playing without two returning starters from last year's playoff run. Exeter defended well on the perimeter early on, forcing several contested jump shots from Milton's guards. Yet, Milton frequently beat Exeter to the boards, converting put back layups. Exeter's lead at the half was 17, but a tough minded Milton team was able to chip away as Exeter did not play with the sense of urgency needed when playing with a double digit lead. Milton would trim the lead to 6 with two plus minutes remaining. Exeter converted free throws down the stretch to build the lead to 10. Exeter was paced by Chris Braley ('13) with 21 points.
Submitted by Coach Tilton

Friday, 12/16

5:00 Belmont Hill 57 vs. Trinity Pawling 61 OT

7:00 Exeter 65 vs. Andover 51

 

Saturday, 12/17

12:00 Andover 71 vs. Belmont Hill 61

2:00 Exeter 78  vs. Trinity Pawling 54

4:00 Andover 56 vs. Trinity Pawling 39

6:00 Exeter 74 vs. Belmont Hill 46

 

Phillips Exeter improved to 7-0, 4-0 in NEPSAC Class A with three wins at the Winter Seacoast Classic. Exeter defeated rival Andover 65-51 in the opening round, jumping out to an early 18 point lead that it would not squander. Connor Green led a balanced scoring attack with 16 points while Chris Braley and Reggie Perkins added 15 each. In round two on Saturday Exeter ran into a competitive Trinity Pawling squad that had little trouble setting the tempo of the game and connecting on first half shots, jumping out to a 3 point lead at the half. Exeter showed up defensively in the second half with stronger close outs and solid help side defense, forcing contested shots by Trinity Pawling. This resulted in several transition opportunities while limiting opponent's second shots. Feeding off the second half energy, Exeter outscored TP 47-20 en route to the win. Exeter was led by Chris Braley's 24 points and Matt Chiusano's double-double. In the final contest of the day Exeter defeated Belmont Hill with a great effort off the bench. Leading by 10 at the half, Exeter found great energy from sophomores Tony Karalekas and Kendrick Morris. Blake Chasen contributed 8 rebounds and was Exeter's best defender in the game. All Exeter players contributed several minutes in the win.

Thank you to the coaches and players of all teams involved in the Seacoast Winter Classic. We look forward to hosting again next year.

Submitted by Coach Tilton

 

Exeter endured its first loss of the season at the hands of 2011 Class AAA Champion Maine Central Institute on Saturday. Playing in front of a large crowd on the road, Exeter struggled to convert on several quality opportunities in the first half while uncharacteristically turning the ball over in transition.

Meanwhile, MCI connected on 9 three point field goals in the first 20 minutes, 7 of which were contested. With an emphasis on slowing down Xavier-bound James Farr and his 6-8 frame in the post, Exeter's defensive rotation on the perimeter was exposed just enough by MCI's hot hand. Exeter struggled to generate any consistency on either end, surrendering a 15-2 run to end the half after five consecutive poor offensive possessions.

A few basic adjustments at the intermission and a big contribution from the bench sparked an immediate run in the second half as Exeter strung together an 11-0 spurt at MCI to get back in the game. Attacking the rim and getting to the foul line resulted in higher percentage shots that trimmed the lead and put MCI on their heels offensively. Reggie Perkins ('12) knocked down three threes while getting teammates involved with his vision in penetration. Blake Chasen ('12) and Kendrick Morris ('14) held Farr in check and pulled down 9 rebounds. With Chris Braley on the bench battling severe leg cramps Exeter was sparked by Connor Green's 32 points. Yet, while the surge put Exeter in a competitive range, MCI controlled the big possessions late to maintain a ten point lead and the eventual victory.

The Exeter program would like to thank the Newport & Calais, ME community for their support of our team and Chris Braley & Cam Shorey's return "home".