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GRATERFORD >> Upper Darby coach Bob Miller had already turned his back in frustration.
Locked in a tight battle at No. 7 Perkiomen Valley, the Royals were about to see their nine-point fourth quarter lead whittled to a single point after a mid-court turnover became a breakaway layup opportunity for PV.
No one – not Miller, not the PV offense – ever saw Crishaun Cain closing on the play.
But Cain’s resounding rejection ignited a 10-1 run in the fourth quarter as Upper Darby regained control and advanced to the District 1 6A quarterfinals with a 55-45 victory at PV Tuesday night.
Niymire Brown was the main story, leading the way with 28 points and 17 rebounds on a night when Upper Darby’s outside shots weren’t falling.
“We’re always looking for the best shot on every possession – pretty simple,” said Brown. “Thanks to my teammates, I got a lot of open looks tonight.”
“That’s the hard part – our perimeter guys are usually on point from the outside,” added longtime Upper Darby coach Miller. “As a coach, I can’t tell them to stop doing what’s worked all year.
“But there comes a point where you say, ‘OK, it’s not our night on the outside – let’s get it in to Niymire.”
Cain’s block was the most prominent example of Upper Darby’s formula for clinching their first berth in PIAA 6A states since 2018 with Tuesday night’s win. Forced out of their offensive comfort zone by PV’s dogged defense, the Royals replied with a gritty effort of their own, holding explosive PV junior Julian Sadler to 12 points.
“It’s the first trip [to states] for this group,” said Miller. “And it’s a great feeling because they’re all such good friends. This [making states] was a major goal, and to win this game tonight the way we did is special.”
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Upper Darby’s Nyimire Brown (34) blocks the attempt of Perkiomen Valley’s Julian Sadler during a District 1-6A second round game on Feb. 21 at Perkiomen Valley. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
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