Colin Payne-Exeter

The Eagles have three starters who were part of a football team that won the District 3-5A championship and reached the state semifinals. The football season didn’t end for Colin Payne, Joey Schlaffer, and Anthony Caccese until December 3rd. Exeter’s basketball team has only had three practices with all of its players, yet the Eagles are off to a (3-0) start. They took care of Manheim Township 59-46 on Tuesday in Reiffton. Payne told me it might take a month to get in basketball shape. The senior guard had a game-high 15 points against the Blue Streaks. Payne had six in the third quarter when Exeter built a 42-27 advantage. He’s averaging 15 points this season. Payne thought this was going to be a closer game. Manheim Township never threatened the Eagles in the second half. Payne said Joey Schlaffer’s defense and Teddy Snyder’s perimeter shooting were big keys. Schlaffer held senior guard Seth Miller to a quiet 14 points including just five in the second half. Schlaffer, a 6’6 junior who is committed to Penn State for football, had six points. He posted a double-double in Exeter’s first two games this season. Snyder finished with 12 points. The junior guard knocked down four of the Eagles’ nine 3-pointers. Sophomore Kevin Saenz added 12 points off the bench. How did Payne react when he heard that Saenz was transferring from Wilson to Exeter? He said, “Oh man, this is amazing. That’s the 6th man of the year.” Payne knows that the competition will be tough in Berks County once league play gets underway. The Eagles have a big test on Friday when they face Reading at the Geigle Complex.