On Monday, February 14, the Tatnall Hornets Varsity team was defeated by conference rival Saint Andrews, 49-36. Tatnall struggled on offense throughout the night and never really got into the flow. Solid defense kept them in the contest until late in the second half, where Saint Andrews was able to pull away. Captain MarQuel Fitzgerald '24 converted an acrobatic layup inside then splashed a long three on the next possession to pull the Hornets to within four in the third quarter, but that was as close as Tatnall would ultimately come. He led the team with nine points, and Jace Banks '25 and Caleb Starks '25 chipped in eight, draining a pair of triples apiece. Eli Baffone '24 added six.
Additionally, the Tatnall Hornets JV team outlasted Saint Andrews JV 40-35 in overtime. Balanced scoring and clutch free-throw shooting late helped the Hornets carry the day. Jimmy Diskin '25 came off the bench for a team-high eleven points, including a perfect four of four from the line to clinch the win in overtime. CJ Bowen '25 and Jack Homer '25 added seven points apiece, and Homer scored the Hornets' lone field goal in the extra session.
Meanwhile, the Tatnall Hornet 3rd team was defeated by Mount Pleasant, 60-20, on Friday, February 11. The team battled gamely and never quit, and Joe Ciconte '25 finished with six points. Finally, the Tatnall Hornets 3rd team concluded a successful and fun season with a dominant 26-17 victory over Saint Andrews 3rd team, 26-17. Simon Cox '25 led the team with ten points, and Jacob Glazier '25 added seven and played dominantly inside. Hunter Biden '24 brought his teammates in the program and the assembled Hornet faithful to their feet when he blasted past the defense and finished a pretty fast-break layup for a late bucket to help clinch the win. The Tatnall 3rd team finished the season with a 4-5 record and made huge improvements on the court throughout the campaign, winning three of their last four games.
Following their tough loss, the Tatnall Hornets Boys Varsity Basketball team got back on the winning track with a stirring 41-40 win over conference rival Wilmington Friends on the road on Tuesday, February 15. Playing without a captain and starter due to injury, the Hornets were forced to seek production from several younger members of the rotation. The squad was up to the task, jumping on the Quakers early from the outside. Eli Baffone '24 splashed a beautiful corner three on a sweet find by captain Brody Clayton '22. Stepping into the starting lineup, Jace Banks '25 drained a trey of his own on a set up by captain Isaiah Sales '23. Baffone showed his chops on the other side of the ball as well, playing rugged and physical defense inside. He thwarted a Quaker layup, snagged the board, and set the tempo with the dribble, advancing it to Clayton. He unselfishly found Banks, who sank another trey and forced a Quaker timeout. Banks also got into the act, setting up Caleb Starks '25 for a long corner trey, giving the Hornets a 16-8 lead after one.
Friends deliberate style on offense works better when they play with a lead, so Tatnall was careful not to squander their offensive opportunities. Tatnall held a 21-16 lead at the break and continued to attack the Quaker defense. Sales found captain MarQuel Fitzgerald '23 off a double team, and he converted a pair of athletic layups inside. Intelligent passing and unselfish play helped sustain the Hornet advantage, and Baffone set up Clayton for an easy layup inside to help the Hornets close with a narrow 30-27 advantage.
This late in the regular season, scrambling for playoff opportunities, teams play tough at home, especially in conference. Friends was no exception. But Tatnall was able to make the plays down the stretch and built a ten-point lead late. Baffone scored on a tough runner from the free-throw line, giving Tatnall a 33-30 lead, and after a stop, Fitzgerald was crushed in the lane, attacking the basket and was able to convert both free throws. An opportunistic Banks swiped the ball back, and Baffone was able to convert both freebies. The Hornets needed every last point, though, as Friends made a few shots late, and Tatnall got cold at the charity stripe. Tatnall survived the Friends run and secured the gutty 41-40 win.
Baffone led the way with thirteen points, leading a balanced Hornet attack. Banks added eleven and drained a pair of treys early to set the pace. Fitzgerald battled his way to ten points, all in the decisive second half. He added a team-high eleven rebounds. Starks came off the bench to chip in five, and the Hornets got back above .500 for the season, bringing their record to 9-8 on the year.
Wilmington Friends snapped the Tatnall Hornets JV winning streak on a late three as they lost 32-29. The Quakers came from behind to snatch the victory, and the Hornets' final attempt for the time narrowly missed at the end of the contest. Jack Homer '25 battled inside for a team-high twelve points, and Trevor Kimaiga' 25 and Noah Conkey '25 chipped in six.
The Hornets have two more games in the regular season, with playoff chances looking good but still up in the air. The team travels to Delcastle on Thursday, February 17, and hosts Odyssey Charter in their final regular-season game on Wednesday, February 23.
