By: John Knebels
Photos: Mike Nance
SPRINGFIELD, PA – Right from the start, there was an intangible aura that this would be Bonner-Prendergast’s night. Maybe it was the vibrant student section, or perhaps the Friars’ locking arms and performing a mini-dance a minute before the game.
In the end, it was Bonner-Prendergast’s ability to dominate every aspect of the game, and the Friars’ thoroughly convincing 82-57 victory over Archbishop Carroll in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal Friday night at Cardinal O’Hara High School puts them two wins away from their first-ever state title.
Bonner-Prendergast vs. Carroll PIAA 4A Highlights by John Knebels:
MBAP vs. Carroll - Photos by Mike Nance
MBAP vs. Carroll - Photos by Mike Nance
“We were ready for them,” said senior Tariq Ingraham. “It starts with hustle. That’s basically it. Rebounding and defense wins the game. And our bench is deep. We have nine, 10 players who can play. We like using them all. We are together as unit now.”
If one statistic stood out, it was that Bonner-Prendergast was already ahead by 24-12 early in the second quarter before senior standout Isaiah Wong scored his first points. The Catholic League’s two-time Most Valuable Player and league leading scorer ended up with a team-tying 13 points, nine of them coming in a dominant third quarter that saw B-P (21-5) outscore the overwhelmed Patriots (17-11) by 27-20 to take a commanding 64-42 lead into the final stanza.
Outside of putting the ball through the hoop, Wong contributed six rebounds, four assists, and stifling defense despite playing significantly fewer minutes.
“We love to see each other score, and I think that’s what makes us good – playing unselfishly,” said sophomore Jim Welde, who scored six points and engineered the Friars’ 24-13 advantage off the bench. “That’s what makes Isaiah great. He’s so unselfish. I think that’s one of the reasons why he is going to Miami, because he really knows how to play with great players. He makes his teammates better.”
Wong’s willingness to take a backseat to scoring supplies an emphatic statement of just how dangerous this Friars team is heading into their state semifinal against District 1 champion Lower Moreland (25-3) 7:30 Monday at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School.
When a squad places all five starters in double figures in three quarters of work, the logical deduction is that the players are completely locked in to the team concept as opposed to gaudy individual numbers.
“It’s something we preach every single day,” said first-year coach Kevin Funston. “The big thing that we talk about is that a fist is stronger than having five individual fingers. It’s not always easy to buy in. It wasn’t something that clicked overnight. It’s been a process. It’s something that the guys are finally starting to see and understand...
“Scoring is just as great making that extra pass. If you get rid of it, it will come back. Just diving on the floor . . . getting defensive stops . . . boxing your guy out . . . setting good screens. We’re preaching that as much as making shots.”
Against Carroll, the wealth was distributed equally. Ingraham was a force with 13 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Junior guard Tyreese Watson added 11 points and, although his assist numbers didn’t show it, did a terrific job of helping run B-P’s half-court offense.
Senior Mike Perretta added 11 points, three rebounds, and pesky defense that enticed Carroll to commit several fouls of frustration.
“We play great defense and let the game come to us,” said Wong. “Play quarter by quarter. I feel like we did a good job of doing that. If I’m not hitting my shots, I have to try something else to get my team involved. I can pass them the ball. I can play defense. Try to get a rebound. Try to get my team on fire.”
Carroll’s season ended with disappointment, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. Senior second-team All-Catholic Luke House’s career concluded with 11 points and five rebounds. Senior Kiyl Mack scored 13 points and junior Tairi Ketner netted 11.
In the Patriots’ defense, however, Bonner-Prendergast might have defeated pretty much any high school team. The Friars were that good.
Wong was asked if ultimately winning a state title would offset the disappointment of not capturing a Catholic League title.
Bonner-Prendergast's head coach Kevin Funston was pleased with his team's unselfish approach:
Two-time Catholic League MVP senior Isaiah Wong is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Friars seize a state title:
Bonner-Prendergast senior Tariq Ingraham said the Friars were confident from the start:
MBAP sophomore Jim Welde was a spark off the bench:
“It would definitely help,” said Wong. “But we have to think about the next game right now.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)