District champ Lower Merion boys basketball team enjoyed a special 2023-24 season

The 2023-24 edition of the Lower Merion High School boys’ basketball team was a special one, as the Aces captured their third PIAA District 1 6A championship in the past four years while posting a 28-2 record.

That impressive won-loss mark included a 19-game winning streak that took the Aces to a Central League title as well as the district championship. Lower Merion led the state in points per game, was undefeated at home and posted a 21-0 record against Central League opponents. The Aces made their 14th consecutive trip to the PIAA 6A state tournament, the longest current streak in PIAA 6A boys’ basketball

The only two games Lower Merion lost was a 65-62 defeat to Stow-Munroe Falls (Ohio) on Dec. 28, during a team trip to Arizona, and a 66-64 defeat to Archbishop Wood in the second round of the PIAA 6A state tourney.

Lower Merion featured an impressive amount of depth, as noted by Garnet Valley boys’ basketball coach Mike Brown (among others) following the District 1 6A championship game. Brown noted that the Aces probably had about 10 players who could play Division III college basketball.

It also has been said that this season might have been Gregg Downer’s best coaching job at Lower Merion, an impressive statement, given that Downer has 697 wins and three PIAA state championships during his Aces coaching career.

“This team had uncanny chemistry, guys that have grown up playing together, guys that did not hide from work, guys that loved to compete and win,” said Downer.

The Lower Merion coach said the Aces’ most important game of the season was the District 1 6A championship final, a 57-49 win against Garnet Valley.

“To win three of the past four District 1 titles means a lot to Aces Nation,” said Downer. “In this game our will to win was on display, including holding our opponent to three first-quarter points. Our best performance of the season was probably our win against Cedar Crest in the first round of the state tournament (an 85-55 victory).”

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The Lower Merion Merion boys basketball team gathers under the basket at the Liacouras Center following its District 1 6A title. (photo courtesy of Tom Weishaar – One More Shot Photography)