Nick Aron said the seniors on the Upper Perkiomen boys basketball team were determined to go out with a win. They've been together since seventh grade, fighting hard to win games and improve.

            On Tuesday, seven 12th graders helped give the Indians the send-off they were

Kyle Clancy, a 6-foot-6 senior, attempts a layup agains Phoenixville. Clancy scored 14 points in an Upper Perkiomens loss on Thursday night.  Upper Perk topped Pottsgrove on Friday night 59-55.

hoping for. Kyle Clancy hit two 3-point goals down the stretch and Aron converted a pair of foul shots with eight seconds remaining to secure their 59-55 victory over Pottsgrove in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

            Head coach Michael DeCarolis enthusiastically met his players at half court. They celebrated the Tribe's first home win of the season in its final opportunity. 

"We've been talking about this for years," Aron said of Senior Night. "It feels awesome."

            Aron and Clancy each scored a team-high 14 points for the Indians (2-10 PAC, 3-17 overall) who rallied from a 45-39 deficit late in the third quarter to snap a nine-game losing streak. DeCarolis described the victory as their best performance of the season.

            "Everything fell into place," the coach said. "The guys were determined to win."

            Senior Adam Shaak contributed 10 points and his classmate Marco Montero added eight for the Tribe, which overcame a 52-51 deficit with 2:44 remaining after a 3-pointer from the left corner by Pottsgrove senior Jeremy Thompson.

            Less than 20 seconds later, Clancy hit the first of two 3-pointers to put his team ahead 54-52. Aron set up his shot from the right wing.

            The Falcons regained their lead on three consecutive free throws. Mohammed Mohammed hit a pair with 1:42 left in the fourth quarter to force a 54-54 tie. On their next offensive possession, Nadhir Ward converted the second of two shots to put his team ahead 55-54.

            However, Upper Perkiomen responded on its next trip down the floor. Clancy caught a pass from Aron and drained a shot from the top of the key to give the tean a 57-55 advantage. Clancy, a 6-foot-6 senior, raised his arms to his side as the home crowd roared its approval.

             After the teams traded turnovers, Aron hit two foul shots to secure the victory. DeCarolis described the Green Lane resident as the ideal player to have at the line with the game on the line.

            "For Nick to step up and can those free throws at the end was huge," said the coach, whose team squandered a 26-14 lead late in the second quarter. "I'm so proud of him."

            Down 45-39 late in the third quarter, the Tribe mounted a 12-2 run to regain control. Aron scored five points. Montero registered a steal and a free throw. Senior Isaac Wallace contributed an offensive rebound and two foul shots that staked the team to a 51-47 edge with 4:06 remaining.

            Against Phoenixville, the Tribe fell behind early and lost 63-43 on Thursday, Jan. 27. Aron delivered a season-high 16 points.

            Clancy added 14 points for the host Indians, who trailed 18-12 after one quarter and 30-21 at halftime. Aidan Keyser and Dan Carpenter each registered four points.

            Though the Tribe did not win as many games as he expected, DeCarolis credited the effort and influence of the seniors, which also included Peter Nguyen and Dustin Hurlbrink. The coach said they always maintained a positive mindset.

            "They are the best," said DeCarolis, whose team concludes its season with road games against Upper Merion on Thursday and Kutztown on Monday. "They are always going to be remembered for what they did to help this program."