Germantown Academy is coming off a season in which they went 11-16 overall and 3-7 in Inter-Ac League play. The team picked up a win in the first round of the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament but were unable to get past Episcopal Academy in the second round. After graduating just one starter from that squad, the Patriots return an experienced group that is looking to make some noise in the Inter-Ac.

Headlining the team is 2022-23 All-League performer Bryce Rollerson ’25, one of three captains from a year ago. AJ Towsen ’25, also a captain last season, Bryce Presley ’26, Flinn Brooks ’25, Tyler Nolan ’25, and Ellis Johnson ’25 make up the unit that received most of the minutes a year ago.

“For the first time in a few years, our core group is returning,” Head coach Matt Dolan said. “We want to capitalize on the chemistry we’ve built over the last few years. We want them to play instinctively, continue to share it, and play off one another. I think they understand what their skillset is, and it’s my job to get out of the way and give them that freedom.

The accountability has been great, the coaching staff hasn’t had to focus on things like explaining drills or moving guys from drill to drill, and so we can focus on the basketball aspect and challenging them every day.” 

The Patriots tip off the season on Nov. 25, hosting multiple scrimmages featuring Bishop Shanahan, Central Bucks South, Neshaminy, Lansdale Catholic, and Upper Dublin. Another scrimmage against Council Rock North (Nov. 28) awaits before the regular season opens on the road against Cardinal O’Hara (Dec. 2), then GA will play Pennington School on Dec. 6 for their home-opener. The Patriots wills play Shipley School and Perkiomen School in the Make-A-Wish Tournament on Dec. 15 and 16, respectively, before closing out the year on the road against Hun School of Princeton (Dec. 19), at home against Bullis School (Dec. 21), and at Boys Latin School (Dec. 29). Dolan said that the scrimmages will be a good chance to try different guys in different situations with rotations that they usually might not play with, and a starting point for the group, but that he cannot wait for the first game.  

“We’re preaching that everyday matters, so right now, the first game is the only one that matters,” Dolan said. “There’s an opportunity to play a Catholic League team in O’Hara in a showcase that is Inter-Ac vs. Catholic League. It’s not only our job to represent GA, but also the league and how we play.”

Once the calendar turns over, league play begins on the road with a trip to Springside Chestnut Hill on Jan. 5 before welcoming Malvern Prep to Griswold Gym on Jan. 9. Games against Episcopal Academy (Jan. 12), Haverford School (Jan. 16), and Penn Charter (Jan. 19) follow, with non-league competitions against Frankford (Jan. 6), Abington Friends (Jan. 13), String Theory (Jan. 27), and Perkiomen School (Feb. 3) sprinkled in. 

“Guys have been working hard and the level of intensity and competitiveness that is excellent,” Dolan said. “We’re no not surprised to see it, and it’s been a great foundational piece for us. There’s a lot going on at each practice, and I’m proud of how it’s going.”