WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester Academy head coach Jamie Sullivan knew Phillips Exeter was shorthanded. But he didn’t take anything for granted.
Exeter suffered a significant blow last week with the loss of star point guard Tyler Bike, who will miss the rest of the season due to a torn labrum, an injury that will certainly impact its bid for a second straight Class A championship. After suffering their first loss of the season on Saturday to Tabor, the Big Red were still in adjustment mode when they walked into Daniels Gymnasium on Wednesday night to face one of the best teams in NEPSAC.
With a few more days to prepare and figure things out without Bike, I was curious how Exeter would look as it processed its new reality. On the flip side, Worcester Academy was coming off a tough road loss to St. George’s on Monday, and Wednesday’s matchup offered a test of focus. Exeter was actually down two starters – also missing big man Rob Blandburg – and put up a great fight given its unideal circumstances, but the Hilltoppers ultimately took care of business to hold on for an 80-72 win.
“There’s nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal,” Sullivan said. “This team comes in with one or two starters down, and they’re dangerous. They played that way, they had nothing to lose. … But I liked our resolve, and like I said to the team, I just really want more. To get to where we want to go, we have to be better at everything that we’re doing, and they’re up to that challenge.”
