Boys Basketball: Patterson handles tall task as Ridley rolls

RIDLEY TWP. >> When you ask Ridley’s Mike Patterson how tall he is, the senior forward will offer a 6-foot-4, before sheepishly covering with, “or, maybe 6-5.” In contrast to Patterson’s unassuming height, there was no doubting the vertical credentials of his opponents Friday, Lower Merion’s tandem of 6-9 Jeremy Horn and 6-6 Dion Harris, with his outsized leaping ability. Yet by the time Patterson marched to the bench to a grateful ovation with 3:21 remaining, making way for the subs to play out a 61-40 demolition by the Green Raiders, there was no doubting that Patterson stood tallest. The senior collected a career-high eight points — heck, he’d scored 12 combined in 10 appearances this season — but saved his best efforts for the defensive end, completely muzzling Horn and Harris.

“When you go up against a guy that big, you want to make sure you’re lower than him,” Patterson said. “It’s hard to defend against him, but you have to go hard and give 110 percent. That’s what coach always preaches.”

Paradoxical as it may sound, Patterson’s approach withstood a hearty test to keep the Green Raiders (11-0, 7-0) unbeaten and with a stranglehold on first place in the Central League. Horn, coming off a 23-point performance against Radnor, was nonexistent on the offensive end, scoring three points and not attempting a shot after the first quarter thanks to Patterson’s persistent hounding. Horn grabbed four rebounds, same as Patterson, as the Aces (9-3, 5-2) were throttled on the boards, 34-18. The center spent the fourth quarter as a spectator as Lower Merion heaved up 3-pointers in a futile attempt to get back in touch.

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Ridley’s Brett Foster, right, dribbles past Lower Merion’s Zack Magill Friday night. Foster scored 22 points in a 61-40 Ridley win. (Times Staff/Robert J. Gurecki)