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Alumni League Season 13 In Review

Writer's picture: Josh PowellJosh Powell

The West Chester Golden Rams celebrating their first title in team history. Photo from Rodney Graham.

As the final buzzer sounded, marking the end of a season that would be etched into the history of the Alumni League, there was much more to celebrate than the exhilaration of the game. The season was a journey, both groundbreaking and heart-stopping, that defined and maybe even redefined the essence of Alumni League basketball.


From the inaugural Alumni League Community Day to the late-season rise of the New Jersey Raptors, who defied the odds with their late surge to clinch their first-ever Western Conference championship, the season was full of unpredictability and sheer talent.


In the midst of it all, certain individuals stood out, carving their legacies into the fabric of the league. Khalif Meares, a name now synonymous with success, clinched his second league MVP, dominating the court and the top 25 list from start to finish. His performance, a blend of skill and leadership, captivated the league week after week, solidifying his place as not just a player, but an unstoppable force.


However, if one were to encapsulate the season as a whole, all roads would lead to the triumph of the West Chester Golden Rams. Their journey to their first Alumni League championship was nothing short of cinematic, a blend of brotherhood and a relentless pursuit of excellence that culminated in a victory. Their story is not just one of winning but is a reminder of the league's core principles: perseverance, community, and the love of the game.


Season 13 of the Alumni League started with a typical four-game set on Saturday, July 8 with the undisputed headliner of opening day being a rematch of the previous year's championship game between Lincoln and Hush University. Just like that matchup, Lincoln stayed victorious as they were able to run away with a 71-58 victory thanks to 20-point performances from their MVP Khalif Meares and the sharpshooting Rell Harrington. On beating Hush again in the opener, Meares sounded as ready as ever with a hint of his pure humbleness.


Fahreed Cheatham presents the Alumni League Season 13 MVP award to Khalif Meares. Photo from Fahreed Cheatham.

"It feels good, we came in with good intensity and sportsmanship, and came to win." These kinds of answers from Meares have been nothing but expected over the years as he has always been as cool as they come and happy to answer any questions.


The next high-stakes matchup came the following day where two established names in the Alumni League went head-to-head as the Academy Park Knights took on the New Jersey Raptors. Being very similar teams, these two have consistently hovered around the top of the standings year in and year out, but neither could ever get over the hump in the postseason.


In this matchup, it was Academy Park getting the best of the Raptors by a score of 54-51 as we saw day one of the rise of the biggest breakout star for this season. Soutiri Sapnas had himself a game and eventual year to remember as he was able to score 25 points in this season opener en route to a year where he became a legitimate MVP candidate. After so many years with disappointing finishes for the Knights, Sapnas said in the post-game that he thought that this was the year for Academy Park.


"I think with a healthy team, we can make a run for the championship, I think we have that much talent." In this quote, we hear the voice of a competitor with his sheer adrenaline showing after a big win in the season opener.


Fast forwarding to week three, we saw a clash between two of the newer teams in the Alumni League between West Chester and Trade School Charter (TSC). While it was technically their first season in the league, West Chester had a number of players who had played previously for other teams including Ben Mingledough and Zach McCullough. Meanwhile, on the Trade School Charter side, we saw the emergence of one of the most electrifying new dynamic duos the league has to offer in the guard-big duo of Reajon Knight and Amhad Gilbert. While close at halftime, it was TSC running away with the victory in the second half as they knocked down West Chester by a score of 68-48. After winning in such an emphatic fashion, Amhad Gilbert wanted to send a message to the rest of the league in knocking down a formidable opponent in West Chester the way they did.



"We're here to play, every team is good, it's a good league so you can't ever doubt a team but if we come out to play every time and not just think we're going to win, we can beat any team we want to." With this being the coming out party for Trade School Charter, both Amhad and Raejon know that they will have a target on their back for the rest of the season.


Another new component to this season came with the addition of Elam Ending Thursdays. The Elam Ending is a game format that removes the game clock in the final half of the fourth quarter, setting a target score (by adding 8 points to the leading team's score). The first team to reach or surpass this score wins.


In the league's inaugural Elam Ending Thursday, we saw the 3-1 Lincoln Railsplitters take on undefeated Germantown, who was a team that was starting to raise eyebrows with their strong start. Led by the tandem of Greg Bennett and Qua Carter, Germantown was littered with Alumni League experience but was no match for the championship pedigree of Lincoln as they fell 62-61 in a tight finish. Lincoln was down 61-57 and with the target score being 62, they knew someone needed to step up. The major storyline for Lincoln this season was the ascendance of Khalid Lewis, a strong forward who knew how to finish at the rim. Settling in like a glove alongside Rell Harrington and Khalif Meares, Haggarty's squad was as confident as can be that they had the team that could be the first in league history to go back-to-back. Hitting a big three to tie the game up and then getting to the rim to hit a physical layup inside to win it proved that Lewis can perform as the main guy in tight ballgames like this one.


"I knew with the Elam ending that it's about executing," Lewis said. "It doesn't matter how many points you're up already, you got to execute down the stretch so I was able to find an opening and shot an open shot."


Moving on from this moment, we transition to another first in the history of the Alumni League, that being the first Alumni League Community Day. This community day consisted of three events, a 1v1 tournament, the three-point competition, and the Alumni League All-Star Game while the league hosted a barbecue for all of the family and friends of those in the league. The 1v1 tournament was one of the more intriguing moments the league has seen as the final two remaining were fellow teammates Raejon Knight and Amhad Gilbert of Trade School Charter. It was Knight who got the best of his teammate. However, Gilbert wouldn't be finished after this event as he would go on to win the Alumni League three-point contest on what was a busy day for Trade School Charter. While some might have expected Knight to show his killer instinct when talking about entering this matchup, Knight took a different approach.


Left to Right: Raejon Knight, Daquan Brown, Amhad Gilbert: It was a busy Alumni League Community Day for Trade School Charter as Raejon Knight beat Gilbert in the 1v1 tournament and Amhad Gilbert won the three-point contest. Photo from nicewiththelens

"It was more fun than anything," Knight said. "It was more about competing with my guy and not hurting each other as we try and prepare each other for the rest of the season."


After this big community day event, the Alumni League shifted gears towards the most important part of the season: The Playoffs. The first monumental moment of this year's postseason came with an Elite Eight matchup between Lincoln and the Philadelphia Panthers. The Panthers have had the reputation of being one of the most gritty and physical teams in the league as players such as Will Morrison and Nick Lawson epitomized these traits to the closest degree. Winding out this team was the physical Steve Vample and the ambassador for the league, Tyronne Hill. Putting all these pieces together combined for a hard-nosed, determined team that was never afraid of anybody. It turned out that this Panthers team turned into Lincoln's kryptonite as the Panthers upset Lincoln 55-54 thanks to a heroic last-second layup from Morrison with just seconds remaining on the clock. While this result may have been a surprise to some, for Morrison, surprised would be one of the last words he would even think of.


"Throughout the whole season, we've had our ups and downs, but in tight situations, you just have to make basketball plays and just keep playing through, stay consistent, and trust the offense, we've got a good coach so he coached us through it and we were able to come out with the win."


Following this matchup, the Panthers would fall to the West Chester Rams 74-58 to set up a championship matchup between them and the New Jersey Raptors. While it was their first appearance in an Alumni League Championship, this Raptors team was stacked with experience from top to bottom. It all started with their long-time coach Mac Milli who has been at the helm for as long as the Raptors have been around. A former Coach of the Year and one of the biggest ambassadors the league has to offer, Mac Milli has built himself a team to remember, with his signature shades on and wardrobe as fresh as they come. While Mac may have been their biggest leader, this was by no means an attempt to disregard the other leaders in that locker room because there were plenty.


The New Jersey Raptors were stacked with championship experience from many teams who have won in the past including many from the former Chester dynasty who had previously won two championships. Players like guard Moe Nelson, forward Akeem Collier, and guard Khaayir Laws represented nothing short of Alumni League royalty as they have been a part of some of the most dominant teams the league has ever seen.

Commissioner Cheatham and Raptors Head Coach Mac Milli embrace after a long day at the Alumni League. Photo from Fahreed Cheatham.

On the other side, West Chester represented a new era of the Alumni League. In their first season as a franchise, they were led by their big three. They had the sharpshooting Mike Wilson, the lanky big man Zach McCullough, and the forward Ben Mingledough who each had league experience of their own but hit the ground running playing together. Their leader in the experience department was without a doubt Matt Penecale who was a former league MVP and the face of the undefeated Alumni League champion William Penn back in season 11. While taking a back seat this go around, his championship expertise would prove invaluable.


After a close first half, it was the Raptors with a slight lead as they were on top at the half 52-46. After being up by double figures earlier, the Rams were able to storm back to cut the lead down, while simultaneously regaining momentum. On this sudden change, Raptors coach Mac Milli had the following to say to his team.


"We just got to be more smart with the ball and play through each other, we have to trust each other," he said. "It's a long game and as you see we're just getting to halftime it's a long game. We just have to start out strong in the second half."


While these words may have been encouraged some of the Raptors, it wasn't enough as the Rams would ride this momentum from late in the first half, all the way to a championship as they won by a score of 83-78. It was Zach McCullough who was named Championship MVP as he put up 22 points and 7 assists to deliver West Chester the title.


In conclusion, Season 13 of the Alumni League was nothing short of electrifying, embodying the spirit of competition and brotherhood. From the rise of the New Jersey Raptors to the undeniable prowess of Khalif Meares, the season was filled with high-stakes games, emerging talents, and unforgettable moments that highlighted the deep passion for the game within this league. The introduction of Elam Ending Thursdays and the success of the inaugural Alumni League Community Day were innovative highlights, reflecting the league's commitment not only to the sport but also to creating deeper connections within the community.


The season's climax, however, was the inspiring journey of the West Chester Golden Rams. Their path to glory, marked by perseverance and a deep sense of camaraderie, was a testament to what makes the Alumni League unique. Defying the odds and toppling seasoned veterans, they have not only etched their names into the league's history but also symbolized the potential for greatness that resides within every team.


It is clear that the Alumni League is more than a competition: it's a strong community driven by the human spirit. It is where individuals come together to create something larger than themselves, teaching lessons about the unifying power of sports.


As we eagerly anticipate the next season, one thing is certain: the Alumni League will continue to inspire, entertain, and bring people together, solidifying its place in all those who step on the court. This season's triumphs, and groundbreaking performances will reverberate, setting the stage for the future chapters of this community.


References

All statistics from Alumni League games can be found on thealumnileague.online and their instagram @alumnileague






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