VanGorder – Berks Sports Report

Exeter drops Opener to Cedar Crest

Paul Roberts — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 16:18:23 +0000

Exeter got off to a hot start in its first game of the season. The Eagles were knocking down 3-pointers all over the gym and led Cedar Crest 12-2. “Our guys came out with a lot of energy and were locked in defensively and offensively,” said second-year head coach Jeff VanGorder. However, the long range bombs missed the target after the opening quarter in a 59-53 loss to Cedar Crest at the CoBL Winter Classic. Five of Exeter’s eight triples came in the first period. The Eagles struggled from beyond the arc until Carter Redding hit a pair of treys in the final minute when the game was out of reach. “I think we fatigued a little in the end of the second quarter and to start the third. We have some guys coming off a very successful football season who are still getting into game shape,” noted VanGorder. Four of his starters were part of a football team that reached the District 3-5A Championship game. Exeter was on top 28-23 at halftime. The Falcons outscored the Eagles 20-11 in the third period. Isaac Wolfe, one of ten seniors on Tommy Smith’s roster, nailed a 3-pointer to begin the fourth quarter. That ignited a key 6-0 run that put Cedar Crest in front 49-39. The defending Lancaster-Lebanon League champions had a 57-43 advantage with two and a-half minutes remaining. Danny Speaks finished with a game-high 15 points. Wolfe added eleven points and 6’7 senior RJ Young had ten. Young provided seven points in the pivotal third period. The Falcons were just 9-of-19 from the free throw line. They missed seven foul shots in the final quarter. Exeter was 5-of-10 from the charity stripe. Redding and Brady Murray scored 13 points apiece. Aidan Dauble chipped in with a dozen points including six in the fourth quarter. The Eagles (19) and Falcons (21) combined for 40 wins a season ago, but these are much different squads. Cedar Crest had to replace four starters. Exeter lost three starters including All-County selection Kevin Saenz who averaged 16 points. VanGorder appreciates the early season competition. “This is a great opportunity for us to learn what competing against a 6A or 5A playoff team takes. That is an outstanding coach and program who made us better as we continue to get first-year varsity players up to speed,” he replied. The Eagles host Penncrest tonight at 7:45pm. Five games are on tap today in Reiffton.

Jeff VanGorder-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:17:00 +0000

After a tough loss at Mechanicsburg in the District 3-5A quarterfinals, Exeter wasted no time getting back on track. The Eagles blew out Muhlenberg 81-58 and then knocked off Warwick 67-59 in the fifth place game. “I never have to worry about these guys competing. I’m proud of them for that,” said first-year head coach Jeff VanGorder. The win at Warwick saved the (18-9) Eagles a four hour trip to Franklin Regional. Instead, Exeter visits Upper Dublin in the first round of the state playoffs. The up-tempo Cardinals are the runner-up from District 1. “From a skill standpoint, they’re similar to Wilson. They’ve got five guys that we gotta guard. They do a really good job with the sets that they run,” noted VanGorder. The Bulldogs beat the Eagles 74-51 in the BCIAA quarterfinals. Exeter doesn’t mind a fast-paced game. The Eagles are the highest-scoring team in Berks County at 69 ppg. They’ve hit 238 triples. Kevin Saenz has made 47 treys. The 6’4 senior is shooting over 40% from beyond the arc while averaging nearly 17 points and seven assists. Saenz has adjusted extremely well to his new role. “I am very impressed with the fact that he’s played point guard for four months and is one of the best players in Berks County,” emphasized VanGorder. Alex Kelsey, a 6’1 senior, has increased his scoring from five points per game to a dozen a night. “He’s the one guy on our team that I think can really get us a basket at the rim or get to the foul line. He’s super athletic, super quick. He loves competition,” stated VanGorder. Kelsey is committed to St. Joseph’s University for baseball. Reece Garvin, Aidan Dauble, and Brady Murray are all threats from long range. Garvin and Saenz started a season ago when Exeter reached the PIAA-5A championship game for the first time since 1974. The Eagles are making their 11th appearance in the state tournament. They begin a new journey on Friday at 7pm.

Jeff VanGorder-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:29:00 +0000

Jeff VanGorder will remember his first game at the Geigle Complex for the rest of his life. Exeter’s new head coach guided the Eagles to a historic 79-55 victory over Reading on Tuesday. “For me, it was fun as a coach. I think the guys relished in playing here,” he said. Exeter snapped a 29-game losing streak to the Red Knights. It was the Eagles’ first win in the series since December 21, 2009. VanGorder’s squad shot the lights out. The Cortland, New York native saw the Eagles go 13-of-23 from beyond the arc and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. They raced out to a 10-2 advantage. Freshman guard Jeremiah Camara kept Reading in it. The son of first-year head coach Francis Camara exploded for nine points in the opening quarter. It was 22-22 after eight minutes. Then Aidan Dauble stole the show. The 6’3 sophomore scored all 14 of Exeter’s points in the second period, including a rare 4-point play that made it 34-24. “His effort kind of let everybody realize we’re here and we’re not going away,” stated VanGorder. Dauble finished with a career-high 17 points. Kevin Saenz had 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. The senior point guard provided ten points in the third quarter when the (5-4) Eagles pulled away. Brady Murray and Saenz hit back-to-back treys to put Exeter on top 58-38 with 90 seconds left in the third period. It was 60-41 entering the final eight minutes. Murray erupted for a dozen of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. The 6’1 junior has been dealing with an injury and didn’t play in Saturday’s 82-69 loss to Spring-Ford. “He’s a tough kid and I know he wanted to give it a go. I’m very happy he was able to make it go,” replied VanGorder with a big smile. Murray sank four three-pointers. Devon Nester started for Murray and connected three times from long range. Dauble also hit three triples. Yadiel Cruz led the (5-4) Red Knights with 18 points. Nico Sosa, a 5’10 senior guard, had 12 points off the bench. Camara ended up with 11 points. Reading was without defensive specialist Nick Chapman. The 5’10 senior suffered an eye injury in Reading’s holiday tournament last Wednesday. The Red Knights struggled against the Eagles’ 2-3 zone. They were just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Exeter was playing with a lot of confidence. “I hope it goes through the roof,” said VanGorder.

Jeff VanGorder-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 09:11:00 +0000

Don’t expect the Exeter boys basketball team to be walking the ball up the court this season. “We’re definitely gonna be more of a push the pace type team which I’m excited about…My hope is that we’re playing closer to the 80s than we are the 40s,” said head coach Jeff VanGorder. The Cortland, New York native was approved as the Eagles’ new coach in July. He’s been an assistant at the Division III level for a dozen years. VanGorder takes over for Matt Ashcroft who stepped down after four seasons with a record of (56-45). Exeter went (27-7) a season ago and won its first District 3 championship. The Eagles reached the state finals for just the second time. They return two starters in Kevin Saenz and Reece Garvin who were all-division picks. “They’ve been great. I’ve been more impressed with what they’ve done off the floor than on the floor. They’ve been very vocal in the offseason,” noted VanGorder. Although he has a lot of experience in college basketball, VanGorder enjoys the high school game. “It’s more fun…Fundamentals get lost by the time some guys get to the college level so it’s fun for me to teach all that again,” replied Van Gorder. He spent last season on the staff at Muhlenberg College. Prior to that, VanGorder was an assistant coach at Ursinus for four years and Carnegie Mellon for three seasons. He stayed close to home after high school and graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2010. VanGorder began his coaching career as an assistant at Hamilton College where he spent four years. His nieces and nephews attend the Exeter School District so he’s familiar with Reiffton. The Eagles open the season on Friday at 8:30pm against Archbishop Carroll. Exeter is the site of the COBL Winter Showcase which includes twelve teams and eight varsity games over two days. The Eagles take on Perkiomen Valley at 6pm on Saturday.

Jeff VanGorder-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Jeff VanGorder is expected to be approved as the new boys basketball head coach at Exeter on Tuesday. VanGorder has been an assistant coach at the Division III level for twelve years. He spent last season at Muhlenberg College. Prior to that, VanGorder was an assistant at Ursinus for four years and Carnegie Mellon for three seasons. He’s originally from Cortland, New York and graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2010. VanGorder began his coaching career as an assistant at Hamilton College where he spent four years.

Matt Ashcroft stepped down as the Eagles’ head coach after leading Exeter to its first District 3 championship. The Eagles made their second trip to the state final and first since 1974. They lost to nationally ranked Imhotep Charter from Philadelphia in the PIAA-5A championship game. Ashcroft was named the Class 5A Coach of the Year in Pennsylvania as Exeter went (27-7). He was (56-45) over four seasons in Reiffton.