Another day, another Delco team falls in a district title game.

Strath Haven dropped a heartbreaker Saturday night by losing to Phoenixville, 56-55, in overtime in the District One Class AAA championship at Villanova. A day earlier, Penn Wood had lost to Norristown in the Class AAAA final.

This one was a little more devastating.

Senior guard Calvin Newell (pictured, above) did just about everything he could, save win the game. Newell scored - seemingly at will, in some moments. He dropped in a game-best 33 points and, along the way, hit the jaw-dropping shot that sent the game into overtime.

Newell's 3-point bank shot with five seconds to go in regulation tied the game at 50. But it wasn't just a regular 3-pointer.

The 6-0 guard found himself trapped just over halfcourt between two Phoenixville defenders. He cut between them, spun away from another defender and hit the shot as he faded to the left.

At first, it looked off. Newell never doubted himself - or his shot.

"It was the only thing they gave me, so I had to take it," Newell said after the game. "I couldn't get a regular shot off because they had hands in my face. The only thing I could get was the backboard, and I felt good about it going in as it left my hands."

Unfortunately for the Panthers, Newell - who scored all five of Haven's post-regulation points- fouled out in overtime and they could not recover. Senior guard Dan Morris (pictured, below) took the last shot of the game - a half-court heave that fell short.

Four in, one to go.

Archbishop Carroll and Strath Haven both won Wednesday night, ensuring themselves of spots in next month's PIAA Class AAA playoffs. They join Penn Wood and Chester, which have locked up berths in the Class AAAA state bracket.

Carroll knocked off Simon Gratz to win District 12's third and final Class AAA slot. And Haven won in overtime against Holy Ghost Prep in a District One semifinal.

Glen Mills is the other boys basketball team still vying for a state-playoff spot. If the Bulls win Friday, they assure themselves the ninth and final berth from District One Class AAAA.

More to come in Thursday's Daily Times.

According to the Phoenix News, Phoenixville big man George Harper has decided to quit the team only days before the District One Class AAA playoffs begin.

This makes the bracket wide open.

The story, from one of the Daily Times' sister papers, makes the case that Harper, a 6-7 junior power forward, left the Phantoms following their loss Friday in the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs. The story cites that Harper, an American Christian transfer, had difficulties with coaches and teammates, and academic and disciplinary pitfalls.

This is a huge blow for the Phantoms (18-5, 11-2), who won the regular-season title in the PAC-10's small-schools division. They are the Class AAA top seed and, on Saturday, will face the winner of a first-round game between No. 8 Octorara and No. 9 Pottstown.

What does this mean for Delaware County teams?

Well, fourth-seeded Marple Newtown certainly has an easier route to the district final, with the Phantoms out of the picture. (Harper torched the Tigers for 14 points in the title game of their holiday tournament. Harper, who has received recruiting interest from Georgetown and Seton Hall, was the tourney's MVP.)

And on the other side of the bracket, it's one less team No. 6 Strath Haven and No. 7 Springfield will have to contend with, should they string a few wins together.

The District One Class AAA and Class A brackets were announced Friday, and four Delaware County teams made the cut:

Class AAA
No. 11 Upper Moreland at No. 6 Strath Haven (first round)
No. 10 Lower Moreland at No. 7 Springfield (first round)
No. 4 Marple Newtown vs. No. 8/9 winner (second round)

Class A
No. 11 Calvary Christian at No. 6 Delco Christian (first round)

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In the Catholic League playoffs, we're looking at Archbishop Carroll and Monsignor Bonner trying to advance to the semifinal round. Both play Saturday. Carroll is at Cardinal O'Hara, where it will face West Catholic. Bonner is at Archbishop Ryan, taking on North Catholic.

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The Bicentennial Athletic League is coordinating its playoff system this weekend to determine a champion. The top two teams from the league's Constitutional Division cross over to face the top teams from the Independence Division. Here is a look at Friday's opening round:

• Delco Christian (No. 2-CD) at Holy Ghost Prep (No. 1-ID)
• Christopher Dock (No. 2-ID) at Girard College (No. 1-CD)

The championship is Saturday.

Chester freshman Kareem Robinson, recovering from two gunshot wounds suffered Wednesday, was released from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Thursday and plans on attending the Clippers' playoff game Friday.

Robinson, according to Chester coach Larry Yarbray and a report filed by Chester Police, was an innocent bystander and the victim of a random act of violence. He is extremely fortunate the two bullets did not pierce a major artery or major organ. The injuries were not life-threatening, though Robinson will not play again this season.

For more on Robinson, check out Friday's Daily Times.

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ALSO IN FRIDAY'S NEWSPAPER: A full preview of the District One Class AAAA playoffs, featuring a little something on all seven Delco teams involved. The weekly feature story is on Chester's Rahlir Jefferson emerging not only as a scoring leader but as a vocal leader.

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Something else to keep an eye on is the release of the District One Class AAA playoff bracket, which will be announced Friday. A safe guess is that Marple Newtown, Strath Haven and Springfield make the cut. Sun Valley could have an outside chance, too.

Check back to Gettin' Schooled Friday for the latest on the seedings.