Signature wins: The Haverford College men's basketball team made its first Centennial Conference Tournament appearance since the 2010-11 season on its way to matching its best finish in Centennial Conference history. Along the way, the Fords also recorded the second most wins in school history. Each of those victories was special in its own way as the 16-10 record was the Fords' first winning mark in nine years.
Some of the notable results include a season-opening 77-72 win against Lebanon Valley to get the season off on a strong note. Haverford closed the month of November by dominating the overtime period against Ursinus in the Centennial Conference opener to the tune of a 94-88 win. The Fords capped the fall semester with a 68-62 victory over a Muhlenberg team that was receiving votes in the national polls entering that final competition of the 2019 calendar year.
During the months of January and February, the Fords completed sweeps against every team that placed fifth through ninth in the Centennial Conference standings with 2-0 marks over the likes of Ursinus, Dickinson, Franklin & Marshall, Washington College, and Gettysburg. It was the 74-59 win at Washington College that officially punched the Fords ticket to the Centennial Conference Tournament.
Season Notes: Haverford has now improved its win total under each of head coach Patrick Doherty's first three seasons, making the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season with 16-10 (11-7 CC) record … Those 16 wins rank second in school history to only to the 1976-77 team (18-8 record) … Haverford's 10-3 record on its home court was the highest home win total in program history … Haverford started its season with nine straight home wins, the second longest home winning streak in program history … The Fords won seven straight games overall from November 23 through January 3, tying for the third-longest winning streak in program history … Haverford's six straight Centennial Conference victories to start the year was the fourth-longest conference winning streak in school history … The Fords sweeps against five of their conference foes marked the first time in a long time in some cases: Dickinson (first sweep since 2009-10 season), Franklin & Marshall (first road win since 1977 and first-ever sweep), Gettysburg (first two sweeps in series history during last two seasons), Ursinus (first sweep since 1997-98), Washington College (12th season sweep in series history) … Haverford's 11-7 record in Centennial Conference play was just one victory shy of the school record set during the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons … Haverford earned the three seed in the Centennial Conference Tournament for its highest finish in the conference standings since the Centennial Conference went to a single division starting with the 2003-04 season … Haverford's seven players named to the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll was the most of any men's basketball team in the conference.
Team Awards
- First-team All-Centennial Conference: Jesse Turkson
- Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll: Jack Cork, Stephen Flanders, Justin Heidig, Jonathan Lang, Josh Love, Grayson Roth, Michael Wiper
- Centennial Conference All-Sportsmanship Team: Grayson Roth
- Centennial Conference Player of the Week: Jesse Turkson (12/17 & 1/14)
Looking ahead: Haverford's six member senior class certainly left its mark on the program as it led the Fords to a historic season. Each member of that class was a starter at some point during their career, including three who were regulars in the starting lineup during this year's postseason pursuit. Nevertheless, one of Haverford's greatest strengths was its ability to get contributions from multiple players as nine different players led the team in scoring at least once this season while 11 total had at least one game where they scored 10 or more points. Jesse Turkson headlines those returners as a first-team All-CC performer who was second in the conference in rebounding and seventh in scoring. Jackson Ryan was also a regular starter this past year while first-year Ryan Trotter got the starting nod for the Centennial Conference semifinal game. Nate Torres was third on the team in scoring off the bench while Josh Love's points per 40 minutes ranked among the best in the conference. Add in several others who played significant minutes this year and there are plenty of options to keep the Fords moving forward in the years to come.