Phoenixville Area High School’s boys basketball team has started the 2009-10 campaign under new head coach Charles Thompson and his assistant, Brett Bauer.
Thompson starred at Phoenixville under the late coach George Rocco and played Division I college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1980s. He formerly served as an assistant coach with the Phantom freshman team as well as the summer travel team.
Bauer played at St. Pius X High School and is now attending Drexel University. Brett’s brother, Evan Bauer, is a member of the Pottstown High School boys basketball squad.
The Phantoms are off to a 1-1 start in the Pioneer Athletic Conference with a victory over Upper Perkiomen and a loss to Pottstown. In the season-opening George Rocco Tip-Off Tournament at Phoenixville, the Phantoms defeated Haverford and bowed to Wissahickon. Their game at home against Academy Park Monday night was postponed due to the weekend snowstorm. New athletic director Tony Palladino said the game is expected to be rescheduled.
Phoenixville’s boys will be participating in the Marple Newtown Holiday Tournament Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 29-30.
Phoenixville has a veteran squad with senior guard Corey Gordon, 6-5 senior forward/center Harrison Deyo, senior forward Jamie Hennessy and senior forward/guard Mike Matson leading the contingent. Junior guard Nick Jones is the other member of the starting lineup.
The top reserves include 6-5 junior forward Mike Jones, junior forward Jake Lynch and freshman guard Marcus Howell.

Phoenixville and Spring-Ford collide in their annual Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) Thanksgiving Day morning football game Thursday at 10 a.m. at Washington Field.
Both the Phantoms and Rams have had up-and-down seasons and would like to cap the 2009 campaign on a high note.
The Phantoms and Rams both enter the contest with 3-8 records, although they both played competitive ball in most of their games, especially on defense.
In its last outing, Phoenixville defeated Kennedy-Kenrick, 35-6, on a Saturday afternoon at Norristown’s muddy Roosevelt Field. Spring-Ford was beaten by Upper Darby, 7-0, on a Friday night at Spring-Ford’s Coach McNelly Stadium.
“It is like this every year, no matter what the circumstances,” said Phoenixville coach Bill Furlong. “We need that game for something. Right now we are tied in records.”
Both the Phantoms and Rams have had their bright moments in a few victories and other quality showings against top opponents.
“We’ve been two different teams throughout the year,” said Furlong. “It will come down to which team shows up on Thanksgiving. If it’s the team from the last two games (10-6 loss to District 1 Class AAA finalist Pottsgrove, Kennedy-Kenrick), it should be a good game and we will play well. They (Rams) are a good team.. We have to make sure it’s that team that shows up. Against Pottsgrove, the kids played well all the game. Kennedy-Kenrick, the kids played well. Our offensive line, skill positions and defense played well, but not on special teams. That’s it.”
Junior Dan Kain made an impression by kicking five extra points for the Phantoms with no previous kicking experience.
The Rams are coached by Gary Rhodenbaugh.
“We have to keep working the next week and a half to get ready for Thanksgiving,” Rhodenbaugh said following the Upper Darby contest.
“Our defenses have played well,” Furlong said. “We are similar in that we held teams, but at times we haven’t scored enough points. We have similar woes.”
The Phoenixville and Spring-Ford teams will be honored by their community Rotary Clubs atthe annual joint luncheon Wednesday at 12 noon at Robert Ryan’s at Columbia Station in Phoenixville.

Phoenixville’s football team has its work cut out tonight as it faces PAC-10 leader and unbeaten Pottsgrove at Washington Field at 7 p.m The Phantoms (2-5, 2-7) are coming off a 15-7 loss to Pottstown last week while the Falcons (7-0, 9-0) hammered Upper Perkiomen, 62-20, in their last outing last Friday night.
Pottsgrove needs a victory to clinch at least a tie for its second straight PAC-10 championship as well as the home-field advantage as the No. 1 seed throughout the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.
Pottsgrove, which is coached for the 21st year by Spring-Ford High School graduate Rick Pennypacker, has already scored 347 points (38.6 avg.) while allowing just 81 markers (9.0). Both marks are best in the area.
Phoenixville has scored 114 points (12.7) while surrendering 168 counters (18.7).
Falcon junior quarterback Terrell Chestnut (5-11, 175) has scored 15 touchdowns and two extra points for 92 total points. Pottsgrove junior running back Maika Polamalu (6-0, 205) has scored 14 TDs with four extra points for 88 points. Junior fullback Kayvon Greene (6-2, 210) has scored nine TDs with four extra points for 58 points.
Polamalu has rushed for 930 yards on 99 carries (9.4) while Greene has 57 carries for 703 yards (12.3) and Chestnut 87 rushes for 646 yards (7.4). Phoenixville’s Sam McQuiston, who scored the team’s TD last week, has 112 rushes for 531 yards (4.7).
Phantom junior quarterback Tom Romano has completed 37 of 77 aerials (48.1 pct.) for 464 yards with three TDs and three interceptions.
Pottsgrove has been without senior first team all-state linebacker Preston Hamlette, who doubled at fullback, with an injury, but Greene has filled in very well, especially in recent weeks. The Falcons’ defense is led by senior end Justin Oliveri (6-1, 205), tackle Greene and senior Scott Madl (6-0, 195) at outside linebacker, who each had more than 100 tackles last year.
Chestnut and Polamalu, both Division I prospects, use their speed and big-play quickness to headline the secondary.
“We just have to play more consistent,” said Phoenixville coach Bill Furlong. “We have nothing to lose. We have to play consistent. We are not worrying about who we are playing or the last game. All the staff and kids will be proud if we play our best game.”
He spoke about the Pottstown game in which the Trojans earned their first victory of the season at Grigg Memorial Stadium.
“We didn’t play well early,” said Furlong. “By the time we were getting things better, it was too late. We played a good second half. We got some things going, but we have to do it the whole game. They (Trojans) played well early. They did a great job of controlling the ball. Their quarterback (Jeff Endy) threw the ball well. We were outplayed.”

Phoenixville travels to Pottstown’s Grigg Memorial Stadium Friday night to face the winless Trojans in PAC-10 football action.
Phoenixville (2-4, 2-6) is coming off a 21-12 loss to Upper Perkiomen while Pottstown (0-6, 0-8) fell victim to Perkiomen Valley in the second half, 28-21.
The Trojans led the Vikings 14-7 after the first quarter and 21-14 at halftime before being outscored 14-0 in the second half.
“They (Trojans) have scored on everyone,” said Phoenixville coach Bill Furlong. “Their offense is as good as any in the league. Our offense hasn’t been good. Their defense hasn’t held up, but they have scored points. They have plenty of offensive weapons. They have some size on the line. They have a couple real big guys. We have to play better and more consistent. We have to eliminate the mistakes.”
Pottstown’s quarterback is junior Jeff Endy (5-9, 155). The running backs are Marc Smith and sophomore Malik Brinkley (5-8, 165).
The Trojans are in their third year under head coach Brett Myers. Endy completed 3 of 7 aerials for 61 yards against PV. Junior wide receiver Dawon Matthews (6-1, 175) caught two of those throws for 46 yards.
Smith rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns covering, 4, 2 and 34 yards. and Brinkley totaled 125 yards on 16 tries. The tight end is sophomore Cory Hueber (6-0, 165), who blocked and recovered a punt last week. Junior Kyle Dentler booted three extra points.
Up front the Trojans field the likes of senior tackles William Carter (6-3, 285) and Jacob Slick (6-3, 340) as well as senior guards Evan Bauer (6-3, 225) and David Mackiewicz (6-0, 20)) with junior Dustin Rhoads (5-10, 235) at center.
Furlong liked the way his offense showed positive signs against the Indians with quarterback Tom Romano throwing the ball effectively to tight end Vince Ciaverelli. He thought the offensive line gave ample time to throw.
“We have to run the ball better,” said Furlong. “We haven’t run the ball well since the Methacton game. All year our offense hasn’t done a great job. We haven’t been able to open things up consistently. Until we do, teams are going to load up against us and bring everybody up. The passes we’ve had have been on play-action because they are coming up on the run so much.”
The Phantoms don’t have the big-play ability with speed and quickness that they have had in the past so opposing defenses are jamming the line of scrimmage and blitzing when needed.
Senior defensive end Brandon Johnston recovered a pair of fumbles against the Indians, and Ducky Ryan continued his excellent play in the secondary with an interception.
Romano completed 5 of 11 passes for 119 yards against the Tribe with Ciaverelli making four receptions for 116 yards. Romano doubles at cornerback and Ciaverelli doubles at linebacker on defense. Physical senior Sam McQuiston is the Phantoms’ top rusher and scored on a 16-yard run last week while doubling at linebacker. Travis Andrews and Vinny Nattle have shown signs of promise as sophomore backs. Junior Dan Kain has improved as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Furlong feels the Phantoms’ defense has kept the ballclub in every ballgame thus far this season.

Phoenixville saw its two-game shutout winning streak snapped by Upper Perkiomen, 21-12, in Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) football action last Friday night in the rain at Washington Field.
The Indians took an early 14-0 lead and then held on to the ball and held off the Phantoms, who scored with the aid of a couple big plays against the Tribe.
Upper Perkiomen seniors Esomchim Akpunonu and Chase Fleming anchored the running game for the Indians. Akpunonu gained 111 yards on 28 carries with a 2-yard scoring run while Fleming picked up 55 yards on 15 attempts. Senior quarterback Casey Perlstein ran for a 1-yard TD and completed 7 of 12 passes for 100 yards, including a 24-yard TD strike to Fleming.
Upper Perkiomen, which is still in the hunt for a District 1 Class AAA playoff berth, upped its record to 4-2 in the PAC-10 (6-2 overall). Phoenixville slipped to 2-4 (2-6).
The Phantoms celebrated Senior Night in pre-game ceremonies, honoring senior members of the football team, cheerleaders and band.
Phoenixville senior running back Sam McQuiston scored on a 16-yard run. Junior Dan Kain passed 17 yards to sophomore Travis Andrews for the other Phoenixville TD on a halfback pass off a reverse called by Phantom head coach Bill Furlong.
The Tribe rushed 52 times for 214 yards with a strong effort from its offensive line and finished with 314 yards of total offense on 64 plays.
Phoenixville rushed 32 times for 90 yards and totaled 233 yards on 45 plays for the evening.
The Phantoms visit winless Pottstown (0-6, 0-8) this coming Friday night at Grigg Memorial Field while Upper Perkiomen travels to play first-place Pottsgrove (6-0, 8-0). Coach Rick Pennypacker’s Falcons are the defending league champions.

Phoenixville’s football team, coming off two straight victories by shutouts, faces a tough Upper Perkiomen squad Friday night at Washington Field at 7 p.m. This will be Senior Night for nine Phantom 12th graders.
The Phantoms (2-3 PAC-10, 2-5 overall) have beaten Methacton (18-0) and then Perkiomen Valley (6-0) last Friday night in rain at Graterford the last two weekends. Upper Perkiomen (3-2, 5-2), which is battling for a District 1 Class AAA playoff berth, hammered Methacton, 55-14, last week to celebrate Homecoming.
The Indians are coached by Keith Leamer, who is in his sixth year at the helm of the Tribe.
Upper Perkiomen is led by senior running back/linebacker Chase Fleming (6-0, 210), who has scored nine touchdowns for 54 points. Fleming rolled up 167 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns against Methacton. For the season, Fleming has chalked up 649 yards on 78 tries (8.3 avg.).
The Indians have another tough runner in senior Esomchim Akpunonu, who has scored seven TDs for 42 points. Akpunonu gained 127 yards and scored four TDs on 16 attempts against the Warriors.
The Upper Perkiomen quarterback is junior Casey Perlstein (6-1, 180), who has completed 42 of 78 aerials for 639 yards with five TDs and five interceptions. Perlstein went 3-for-3 through the air for 34 yards last week.
The Indians ran for 341 yards and gained 375 total yards against the Warriors. Upper Perkiomen limited Methacton to 71 yards rushing and 30 passing for 101 total yards.
Ronnie Gillespie, a 5-9, 155-pound sophomore, bolted 78 yards for a score on a kickoff return.
The Tribe’s leading receivers are senior Andrew Orlick (5-10, 165), who has 13 catches for 159 yards (12.2 avg.); and Fleming, who has 10 grabs for 143 yards (14.3).
Kicker Matt Kirkpatrick has one field goal and 27 placements for 30 total markers.
Other Tribe players to watch include senior tight end/defensive end Nick Hale (5-10, 210) and two-way senior Steven Grover (5-10, 200). Hale had two sacks and one tackle for loss last week while Grover had one sack and one tackle for loss. The offensive tackles are Mike Paul (6-4, 220) and Dwayne Gillespie (5-11, 260).
Phoenixville senior Sam McQuiston has now rushed for 478 yards on 98 attempts (4.9 avg.). McQuiston, who doubles at linebacker, is one of nine seniors on the roster. The others are Ducky Ryan, Ricky Yenchick, Greg Porter, Brandon Johnston, Matt Viscuso, Steve Carter, Kevin Bohl and Vince Ciaverelli.
Phantom head coach Bill Furlong said the team’s defensive line has played exceptionally well in the two shutouts. That includes tackles Ken Cenci and Marcus Stokes, nose guard Dennis Kelly and ends Porter and Johnston. Carter, the club’s center on offense, has also seen time along the defensive line, which is coached by defensive coordinator Don Jackson and defensive line specialist coach Nick Rotondo.
The secondary has come along with Ryan at safety and Tom Romano and Dan Kain on the corners. Kain and Romano each intercepted a pass last week.
“We have the same kids playing every play both ways on offense and defense,” said Furlong. “Credit Don Jackson and Nick Rotondo for what they are doing scheme-wise.”
Furlong is wary of Upper Perkiomen.
“They (Indians) are pretty balanced with Chase Fleming and the quarterback Perlstein so they are pretty balanced,” said Furlong. “Their line is solid.”
The Phantoms visit Pottstown at Grigg Memorial Field next Friday evening.

Phoenixville won its second straight football game last Friday night, edging favored Perkiomen Valley 6-0 in steady rain at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium in Graterford.
The Phantoms’ victory also dampened the spirits of the Perkiomen Valley Homecoming evening.
The lone touchdown of the game came on a 34-yard pass from junior quarterback to junior wideout Dan Kain with 9:35 remaining in the first period.
The score came on the fifth play of the game and was set up by another 34-yard pass from Romano to Vinny Nattle.
Phoenixville’s defense stepped to the plate with its second straight shutout following an 18-0 whitewash at Washington Field the previous weekend.
The Phantoms recovered two Perkomen Valley fumbles and intercepted two passes in the pivotal turnover department. For the 2009 season, coach Don Jackson’s defense has recovered 14 fumbles while the Phantoms have lost six fumbles. Phoenixville has also intercepted six passes while giving up six interceptions. So overall, the Phantoms are plus-eight in turnovers heading into Friday night’s Senior Night game against Upper Perkiomen at Washington Field.
Defensive tackle Marcus Stokes stepped up his play in the second half of the game against the Vikings to help spark the defense along with Ducky Ryan, Vince Ciaverelli, Sam McQuiston and Travis Andrews.
Head coach Bill Furlong’s Phantoms have now won two straight games following five consecutive setbacks to start the year.