Malvern basketball teams show early-season grit with strong performances

After a 20-point loss to Newark Catholic to open the season, some may have been quick to dismiss this year’s Malvern boys basketball team, especially after the talent the Hornets have lost over the past two years.

Not so fast.

Following back-to-back wins over quality opponents, two things are clear: Malvern has talent, and where talent exists, coach Dennis Tucci will find a way to maximize it.

The Hornets traveled to Dalton Dec. 2 for a nonconference matchup and, despite harsh weather, returned home with a 58-43 win fueled by an explosive third quarter. Trailing 24-23 at halftime, Malvern outscored the Bulldogs 22-3 in the third to take command.

Five Hornets scored at least seven points: Delonte Simmons and Grady Barkley led with 12 each, Luke Thomas added 11, Jaxon Jones scored nine and Tripp Tucci finished with seven. Jones also grabbed seven rebounds. A bright spot came in the turnover column—after committing 16 in the season opener, Malvern had only six against Dalton.

On Dec. 5, the Hornets hosted Garaway and earned a hard-fought 41-35 victory. After a sluggish start, Malvern outscored the Pirates 23-15 over the second and third quarters.

Simmons scored 15 and Barkley added 13. Jones chipped in four points and led the rebounding effort with five as the Hornets finished with a 25-20 advantage on the glass.

Malvern is now 2-1 with Inter-Valley Conference North Division play approaching.

“I am really proud of my young team,” Tucci said. “We beat two teams this week that played in regional finals last year. We are still a work in progress, but our attitude and effort have been outstanding.”

Girls basketball

The Malvern girls basketball team may be winless in the IVC North and 2-2 overall, but the Hornets are just a few plays away from being undefeated.

After a heartbreaking overtime loss to Ridgewood, Malvern hosted Hanoverton United on Dec. 3 and left nothing to chance. An 8-2 run in the third quarter helped the Hornets build a 23-13 halftime lead on their way to a 44-29 win.

Whitney Smith scored 21 points to lead all scorers. Ella Debo added nine and Addy Mitchell scored seven.

On Dec. 6, the Hornets traveled to Newcomerstown for the IVC North opener. Trailing 42-37 entering the fourth quarter, Malvern mounted a comeback that fell just short as the Trojans held on for a 53-52 win.

Mitchell led Malvern (2-2, 0-1) with 17 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Debo and Smith each finished with 12, and Aniya Long added seven. Newcomerstown (3-1, 1-0) was led by Breann Kerr with 18.