An early deficit proved to be too much for the Conestoga High School boys basketball team to overcome in a 43-40 loss at Upper Darby on Dec. 19th

The Pioneers trailed 16-8 in the second quarter, but cut the gap to one point at halftime. Ben Robinson (12), Rowan Miller (10) and Brendan Styer (10) all reached double figures for the Pioneers, who slipped to 2-2 in the Central League and 3-3 overall. Miller had six assists and four steals while Styer collected three assists and three rebounds. Robinson came up with two steals. Upper Darby pushed the lead to nine points in the third quarter until the Pioneers battled back again. Coach Sean Forcine summed up the effort. “We climbed back in the first half, but got down again by 9 in the third quarter. Unfortunately in league games you can’t get down by that much and keep expecting to come back.  Our league is very competitive and the teams are well coached. We have to be better and it starts with our staff.”

Forcine did see some good things from his team. “I’m proud of our rebounding and defensive effort, but we shot ourselves in the foot at the start with too many turnovers.”  

The Pioneers return home for Alumni Night on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., taking on Garnet Valley High School. The 1987 district championship team will be honored at halftime.