Photos/Videos: Krystal Williams & Rich Flanagan
By: Rich Flanagan
PHILADELPHIA – The scoring prowess that the current Roman Catholic corps possesses is something that the rest of the Philadelphia Catholic League has struggled to contend with over the last two seasons. Even more so now, opposing teams are finding life difficult when attempting to match the physicality and experience that Daniel Skillings Jr., Khalil Farmer and Xzayvier Brown bring to the court night in and night out.
The history of the Cahillites basketball program has been well documented but the 2021-22 group is an intersection of two generations of Roman Catholic basketball. Chris McNesby has returned to the helm and kept things rolling and he inherited Skillings, Farmer and Brown, three players who thrived under former coach Matt Griffin. While they had success, they have all taken leaps forward under McNesby, particularly Skillings as a University of Cincinnati signee and Farmer as a Hofstra signee.
An early season loss to Archbishop Wood was followed by an emphatic victory over Archbishop Ryan, two teams they may see on their path to the Palestra, if not on the hardwood at the fabled arena. Sunday presented the next test in the form of a West Catholic program that was undefeated in league play and looking to have itself mentioned in the same breadth as Roman Catholic.
Behind 25 points and nine rebounds from Skillings and 19 from Farmer, the Cahillites secured a 70-63 win at Cristo Rey and handed the Burrs their first league loss of the season. After trailing by eight after the first quarter, Roman Catholic went on a 17-3 run to close out the second and took a 30-25 lead into the locker room. That run was started by one of Skillings’ five three-pointers followed by a fadeaway jumper in the lane by Farmer, his first field goal, at the 2:57 mark of the quarter.
Roman Catholic vs. West Catholic - PSD Highlights by Rich Flanagan:
On the ensuing possession, Farmer was fouled behind the arc and sank all three free throws to put the Cahillites (11-3, 6-1 Philadelphia Catholic League) up. They never surrendered the lead after that point.
Farmer, who also added eight rebounds, stressed that the composure of he and his two veteran teammates changed the complexion of the game.
“I felt like our leadership with me, Dan and [Xzayvier] did a good job,” Farmer said. “This is a game that we were supposed to win and we just have to continue to build from here. I can’t emphasize enough how Coach Chris has been getting us ready all season.”
While it may seem like the same old story, it’s one of consistency and hard work. Prior to last season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Roman Catholic had won at least 10 league games in nine consecutive seasons and appears primed to be on that course yet again after passing some early tests. After being a part and having experienced the height of what the Cahillites program can achieve, McNesby reiterates time and again what it means for players like Skillings, Farmer and Brown to don the purple and gold.
“We talk about it all the time, whether playing or coaching within the program,” McNesby said. “We have plenty of alumni who come back, and guys know the tradition and history. They really are playing for the name on the front of the jersey and that’s special.”
Roman vs. West Catholic - PSD Gallery by Krystal Williams
Cal State Bakersfield signee Kaseem Watson, who poured in nine points and nine rebounds, scored four straight points to cut the West Catholic (10-2, 5-1) deficit to one but Skillings answered with a three. Junior point guard Adam “Budd” Clark (20 points, seven rebounds, nine assists) converted inside but the Cahillites, as they seemingly did all game, broke the press, and turned that into fluid offense. Farmer finished inside then Toby Ojukwu hit his lone trey of the game to extend the lead to 40-33 with 4:25 left in the third.
Clark scored 14 points in the second half including a tough layup inside to make it a six-point game. All Roman Catholic did was look to its seniors as Farmer accounted for five points and Skillings added three during a 10-6 run that increased the lead to 51-43.
Each time the Cahillites were met with resistance, Farmer and Skillings went to spots on the court where they’re comfortable operating (and scoring) from. Farmer’s trey to begin the fourth pushed the lead into double digits for the first time and it was plays like that epitomizes what those two Division I prospects mean to the success of McNesby’s team.
“There were ups and downs throughout the game, but Khalil and Dan made plays and big shots down the stretch, which is great for their confidence,” McNesby said. “This is a wide-open league and it’s good to have seniors who can make some plays.”
Brown, who had a full stat line with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and six steals, made his presence felt in the closing minutes. He hit three free throws then recorded a steal and finished through contact at the other end to make it 62-52 with 1:45 remaining, which put the finishing touches on a decisive win for the Cahillites.
Sunday’s victory was about more than a win. It showed once again the dominance and skill level Roman Catholic holds within the league. There is still plenty of basketball to be played between now and mid-February but the message is very plain and simple: the Cahillites are still one of the top teams in the Philadelphia Catholic League and the trio of Farmer, Skillings and Brown plan to keep it that way.
“It’s just about trusting each other,” Farmer said. “When we trust each other, we see the success our teammates have, and we hold each other accountable. We’re at our best when the three of us are sharing the ball. We’ve improved our chemistry from last year.”