Who would have thought it possible?

Lower Merion, winners of 15 straight and 19 of 20, did the impossible Saturday night. The Aces knocked off the heavy favorite Conestoga, 46-41, to claim the Central League championship.

Lower Merion thwarted Conestoga's bid for consecutive league championships. The Pioneers shared the 2007-08 title with Ridley a year ago.

The usual suspects - Richmond signee Greg Robbins (pictured) and Harley Williamson - combined to score 19 points and were largely outshined by teammate Alon Seltzer's 18 for the Aces (20-4). The Pioneers (22-2) were done in by the 2-spot they put up in the third quarter.

It's safe to say everyone expected Conestoga, which won its first 20 games of the year, to claim the title. But now the Pioneers back into the District One Class AAAA playoffs having lost two of their last four games --- both to the Aces.

Bad news for Penncrest fans: According to Lions coach Mike Doyle, the first-round matchup Friday in the Central League championship tournament between Penncrest and Lower Merion has been sold out.

I know what you're thinking: "Already?"

Yep, it's true. This should come as no surprise, as the site of the game (Bala Cynwyd Middle School) is considerably smaller than almost all high school gymnasiums. It sold out in a hurry earlier this winter, too, when the girls teams from Lower Merion and Upper Darby played there to determine first place in the league standings.

There are two things Penncrest fans can do:
1. Hope the Lions advance to Saturday's title game, at Ridley.
2. Stay close to the Daily Times for the latest hoops results.

OK, so Conestoga losing to Lower Merion assured us that there will be - for the first time in the league's history - a playoff to determine the Central League champion. Here's what I know so far:

TEAMS INVOLVED: Conestoga, Lower Merion, Penncrest and Upper Darby.

SEEDS: Conestoga is the No. 1 seed and Lower Merion is No. 2. Those cannot change. Penncrest is third in the standings, followed by Upper Darby. The Royals (14-8, 12-4) put pressure on the Lions (17-4, 11-4), who were inactive Tuesday, by defeating Ridley in their season finale. Penncrest plays Marple Newtown Wednesday night to determine final seeding.

LOCATIONS: Friday night's games will be held at the gyms of the higher seeds, so Conestoga and Lower Merion will host. Lower Merion's game will be played at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. Saturday's championship will be at Ridley.

TIMES: Conestoga's first-round game is set for 7 p.m. Lower Merion's opener will tip off at 7:30 p.m. And the title game will start at 7 p.m. Saturday.

PRE-SALE TICKETS: Only Lower Merion will sell tickets beforehand, as Bala Cynwyd Middle School does not have as many seats as normal high school gyms.

QUESTIONS: Springfield athletic director and Central League boys basketball chair Glenn Mallon asks that all further questions be addressed by the respective schools' athletic departments.

David has slain Goliath.

OK, that's a little extreme ... but Lower Merion knocked off previously unbeaten Conestoga Monday night, 46-44, to force the first-ever Central League playoff tournament.

Greg Robbins and Harley Williamson scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Aces (17-4, 14-2), who have won 12 in a row after losing uncharacteristically three of their first four games of the season. Jake Cohen was held to nine points as the Pioneers (20-1, 14-1) lost for the first time all year.

What does this mean?

Well, now the Central League will hold a four-team playoff tournament to determine its league champion. The first-round games will be held Thursday night at the sites of the higher seeds and the title game will be held Saturday night at Ridley High School.

At this moment, this is how the semifinal matchups shake out:

• No. 3 Penncrest (17-4, 12-4) at No. 2 Lower Merion (17-4, 14-2)
• No. 4 Upper Darby (13-6, 11-4) at No. 1 Conestoga (20-1, 14-1)

Stay close to the Daily Times for more on the Central League tournament.