The 2023-2024 basketball season was one to remember, as the Fords were able to overcome much adversity. Despite being down two integral starters, Fourth Former Manny Butts and Fifth Former Duke Cloran, the Fords were still able to finish with a record of 17-10 and a league record of 6-4, earning them second place in the Inter-Ac, ahead of rivals Episcopal Academy and Malvern Prep.
Third Former Silas Graham averaged an incredible 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.6 steals this season, earning him First-Team All Inter-Ac, becoming the second freshman to do so in the league’s history. Graham was overwhelmingly humble about his success.
“I’m just trying to help my team win and take coaching all the time,” Graham said. “Obviously being first-team as a freshman is a huge honor, and I’m truly grateful for that. I am hoping to be able to just get better from it and hopefully maintain that first-team selection.”
The rest of the starting lineup for the Fords included Sixth Formers Conor Scanlan and Billy Rayer and Fifth Formers K.J. Carson and Jacob Becker. All four displayed their high-level abilities to keep the games competitive, especially during conference play.
Carson and Rayer showcased impeccable three-point shooting, while Scanlan played with grit, intelligence, and a competitive desire to win the game. One of the newest members of the Fords basketball program, Jacob Becker, added size and strength, while adding extreme athleticism and well-rounded skill on the court. Even the players on the bench displayed a lot of positive energy on and off the court.
“I think the players have done a great job being ready for new challenges and unfortunately when guys get hurt, we try to be there for them as they rehab and get ready to come back, and the guys who were taking their place are ready to step up for a new challenge.”
Coach Bernie Rogers
Along with the team’s success, Coach Bernie Rogers made history himself, becoming the most successful coach in Haverford School history. Coach Rogers has been at the helm since 2015, and after nine seasons he has tallied up 132 wins as the head coach.
“I think it’s a testament to the players in the last nine years,” Coach Rogers said, “how well they’ve played together as a team and worked hard at getting better each day at practice.”
The majority of those victories came in the 2017 to 2019 seasons with an impressive combined record of 51-6. These seasons included two back-to-back undefeated Inter-Ac championship seasons as well as a 28-0 PAISAA championship season.
In the last few seasons, Coach Rogers has faced adversity, missing an Inter-Ac season due to the pandemic, as well as losing key players from injuries and other circumstances.
“I think the players have done a great job being ready for new challenges and unfortunately when guys get hurt, we try to be there for them as they rehab and get ready to come back, and the guys who were taking their place are ready to step up for a new challenge,” Coach Rogers said.
After two years of struggle, Fords basketball is once again one of the top teams in the Inter-Ac. With Cloran and Butts returning from injury next year as former starters, along with Graham, Becker and Carson, the program will finally be at its full potential.