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Westtown wins Boys Basketball Title

By Rick O'Brien, 03/12/16, 2:30PM EST

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Westtown captures PAISAA boys'

basketball title;

Anthony Ochefu of Westtown holds the title plaque. It is the school's first PAISAA crown in any sport. AARONWINDHORST /StaffPhotographer
Anthony Ochefu of Westtown holds the title plaque. It is the school's first PAISAA crown in any sport. AARONWINDHORST /StaffPhotographer
By Rick O'Brien, Staff Writer
Posted: February 29, 2016

Jair Bolden made his way into the stands and gave his tearful mother, Lesley - holding Jair's 2-year-old sister, Kaya - a long embrace.

The emotional moment came shortly after the senior point guard and his Westtown team fought past Germantown Academy, 73-65, in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association boys' basketball championship game Saturday at Penn Charter.

After losing in the final in three of the last four seasons, the Moose broke through for the school's first PAISAA crown in any sport.

"I knew I couldn't end my last game at Westtown with a loss," Bolden said. "I was very motivated and tried to get my teammates to understand the weight of it."

The Moose came up short against Phelps last season, Hill School in 2014, and Friends School League rival Friends' Central in 2012.

Earlier at Dooney Field House, Shipley fell to Mercersburg Academy, 53-39, in the PAISAA girls' final. The Gators lost junior guard Yndiah Bobo to a shoulder injury in the opening minute.

Bolden, a Brooklyn native, transferred from North Jersey powerhouse St. Anthony's to Westtown before the 2013-14 school year. His father, Joel, was also on hand Saturday.

"The Westtown community has been so supportive," Bolden said. "And I have to give a whole lot of credit to the coaching staff. They believed in me, worked hard in helping me become a better player."

The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, who is bound for George Washington University, contributed six points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal against GA.

"He's one of the most eager learners I've ever had," Moose coach Seth Berger said. "He's open to criticism and puts in the work to improve."

Westtown's Brandon Randolph drilled three three-pointers en route to a game-high 29 points. "He's a great scorer," Bolden said. "We knew it was only a matter of time before he had a game like that."

Cameron Reddish (17 points, six assists, five boards, three steals) and 6-11 center Mohamed Bamba (13 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks) also stood out for the Moose (28-6). Najja Hunter chipped in eight points and five rebounds.

Senior point guard and Penn recruit Devon Goodman paced the Patriots (24-6) with 25 points and five assists.

Without Bobo, Shipley, the two-time defending PAISAA titlist, trailed Mercersburg by 38-18 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Courtney Redcross (10 boards) and Maya Overton each scored 12 points for the Gators (15-10). Anna Camden managed eight points, six boards, and four blocks.

PAISAA BOYS' BASKETBALL FINAL

Germantown Ac. 17 11 17 20 - 65

Westtown 13 15 22 23 - 73

GA: Devon Goodman 25, Bailey Whitman 7, Evan Eric-Longino 15; Gabe Alter 3, Kyle McCloskey 15.

W: Jair Bolden 6, Cameron Reddish 17, Mohamed Bamba 13, Najja Hunter 8, Brandon Randolph 29