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BOYS’ BASKETBALL: PCL Teams Dwindle to Four As La Salle, Wood, Bonner-Prendie & McDevitt Are Two Games Shy of a State Crown

By John Knebels - Photos- Kathy Leister & Liam Turnbach, 03/18/19, 5:15PM EDT

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By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister & Liam Turnbach 

 

PIAA PCL Boys’ Basketball Round-Up: Anyone who says they really saw this coming is either fibbing or should quickly become involved in the stock market.

Despite being a decided underdog, seeded fourth in District 12, and having lost to the District 12 champions twice already, La Salle startled Roman Catholic, 55-47, in a PIAA Class 6A quarterfinal Saturday afternoon at Archbishop Ryan High School.

The victory sends the Explorers to the semifinals 7:00 Tuesday at Norristown High, where they will meet District 1 fourth-seed Pennridge (25-4) for the rights to play in Hershey the following Saturday night.

“This win was great for us,” said senior Allen Powell. “Like they say, the third time’s the charm. We just went out there and gave it our all and came out on top.

“They’re a good team, but we were the better team today. In my career wins this is definitely number one and one step closer to a state ‘chip.’”

Powell was one of three Explorers in double figures. Along with his 11, senior Konrad Kiszka netted 16 and senior Titus Beard added 10. Junior Jake Timby scored eight, including a huge corner three down the stretch. 

Behind senior Hakim Hart’s 11 points and freshman Jalen Duren’s 11, the defending state champion Cahillites (24-5) climbed to within three late in the fourth, but La Salle (26-3) refused to fold.  

“As a team, we knew that the first two times we played them, we didn’t play our best,” said Beard. “We knew if we came and played our best that we would be in a good position at the end of the game.”

The game’s unofficial Most Valuable Player was Kiszka, who also hauled in 11 rebounds and helped neutralize Roman’s lethal inside game.

“We knew that all the Roman alumni were going to be heckling us, but we had to block it out and fight hard for that win,” said Kiszka. “This was our first time beating Roman in my four years at La Salle, and to do it in the state quarterfinals just made it that much more special. 

“We wish we could have beat them in the (Catholic League) championship, but this was a revenge game and there was no way our seniors were ending our career with another loss to them.”

La Salle vs. Roman Game Highlights by Kathy Leister:

Konrad Kiszka said "3rd time was the charm" for beating Roman - post interview by Liam Turnbach:

La Salle senior Jack Rothenberg talks about the Explorer's game plan - interview by Liam Turnbach:

La Salle vs. Roman - Photos by Kathy Leister

In another PIAA contest involving a Catholic League squad, Archbishop Wood dispatched District 11, top-seed Pottsville, 55-43, and will meet District 2 champ and 26-2 Abington Heights 7:30 tonight at Bethlehem’s Freedom High School.

The Class 5A District 12 champion Vikings were paced by the sophomore trio of Daeshon Shepherd (16 points), Jaylen Stinson (15), and Rahsool Diggins (14).

“If we win the state championship, then Julius Phillips would be the only Wood basketball two-time state champion, and with this win we are getting closer to making that happen,” said Diggins, referring to the current senior who was part of Wood’s 2017 state title group. “We didn't come this far to lose. Let's leave it all on the floor and win.” 


Archbishop Wood lone senior #1 Julius Phillips - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

In the PIAA 4A match-up between Bonner-Prendergast and Archbishop Carroll, the Friars came away with an 82-57 victory. Seniors Isaiah Wong and Tariq Ingraham led Bonner-Prendergast with 13 points apiece. (Click here to see full game story & videos). 

The Friars play tonight against Lower Moreland in the PIAA 4A semifinals, winner advances to the state championship on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at the Hershey Giant Center.  

The other PCL vs. PCL match-up occurred between Bishop McDevitt and Neumann-Goretti in the Class 3A quarterfinal. Junior Jamil Manigo led the Lancers with 20 points in his team’s 60-57 victory. (Click here to see full game story & videos). 

McDevitt will play Trinity in the 3A semifinals on Tuesday, March 19 at the Reading HS Geigle Complex. Winner will advance to the state final on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hershey Giant Center. 

 

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)