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.

As of Wednesday night, there is only one undefeated team in the Central League - and that's Conestoga.

Penncrest found out the hard way - by losing its own perfect season - just how good Conestoga is. It appears, to me at least, that the Pioneers are deserving of their No. 4 ranking in the latest state Class AAAA poll.

Here's why:
1. They traveled more than 3,000 miles to a holiday tournament in San Diego, where they beat three teams handily, including one nationally ranked (and previously unbeaten) team.

2. They are 7-0 in the Central, and have beaten all takers by an average of 18.3 points per contest.

3. They knocked off Penncrest, which looked untouchable after taking care of business against all six of its Central opponents prior to Wednesday.

Oh yeah, and the Pioneers (12-0, 7-0) have Jake Cohen (pictured), a 6-10 senior forward who has committed to Davidson.

It's not just Cohen though.

"It's a credit to the players. They've all bought in to what we're trying to do," said Conestoga coach Mike Troy. "...I'm happy with how Jake has progressed, but I'm happy with how all the kids have progressed.

"Mike (D'Angelo) played in a tremendous amount of pain tonight and gave us a great effort. ... Whether it's Jake, or Matt (O'Hara) making a decision, or Zack (Shapiro) getting a shot, or Doug (Jakiela) getting a board, it's been tremendous this season."

The Pioneers look as balanced as any team I've seen this season. They're a team to keep your eyes on for the rest of the year, for sure.

Read more about the game in Thursday's Daily Times.

Two of Delaware County's three undefeated boys basketball teams won again Saturday night, but their perfect seasons face serious threats this week.

Penncrest pushed around Unionville, 58-28, and Penn Wood subdued Central, 76-46. The challenges ahead will be covered by the Daily Times.

Tuesday: The Lions (10-0) take on fellow unbeaten Conestoga (12-0) Tuesday night in a game between the only loss-less Central League teams. Count on a solid low-block matchup with the Lions' Marvin Holman-Little (a physical 6-6 forward) and the Pioneers' Jake Cohen (a 6-10 Davidson commit).

Thursday: The Patriots (9-0) have to get past Chichester Tuesday before they can look ahead to an early-season game of the year candidate against Chester. In Thursday's meeting, look for the backcourt play of Penn Wood's Tyree Johnson and Aaron Brown to be on full display against the Clippers' talented duo in Kareem Robinson and Laquan Robinson.

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AROUND THE CORNER: No Delaware County teams has Pennsbury on its schedule, but they should keep an eye on their foes to the North.

The Bucks County-based Falcons (6-2) are fresh off an impressive showing in the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Behind senior West Virginia commit Dalton Pepper (pictured), they beat two teams that recently fell out of PrepNation.com's Southeast Region top 10.

They were drubbed by St. Patrick's (N.J.), the fourth-best team in the nation, and lost in a close one to an unranked Martin Luther King (Calif.) team.

Pennsbury resumed Suburban One play Saturday by whalloping Abington, 67-44. Look out.

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BULLS KEEP ROLLING: Around this time of year, the students at Glen Mills get a lengthy break to go home and enjoy the holidays with their families. So you'd think a two-week layoff would hurt the Battlin' Bulls, right?

Wrong. The 14 days since beating Downingtown West Dec. 20 had no effect in the Bulls' 16-point win over Bensalem Saturday. Aaric Murray scored 23 points, and Reggie Miles contributed 10 points, 11 assists and a solid defensive showing.

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MY RESOLUTION TO YOU: The infrequency with which I've posted lately is due to a couple things, namely though it was the holidays. Now that we're in the New Year (and I've resolved to not have another three-day week until July), I'll be posting with more regularity. So stay close to Gettin' Schooled.