Photos/Videos: John Knebels, Rich Flanagan, Kathy Leister & Zack Beavers
By: Rich Flanagan
PHILADELPHIA - Archbishop Wood only had one player who had played on the Palestra floor coming into Wednesday’s matchup against Roman Catholic, Clemson football signee Markus Dixon. Dixon is reserve forward and with him being the only player with any true experience of the atmosphere that the Cathedral of College Basketball brings to the allure of the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals, the Vikings roster would be getting its first true test of what the fabled arena presented.
The offense was clicking, and the lead reached 11 with under two minutes to play until halftime. On the other side, Roman Catholic boasted one player who had more experience and minutes at the Palestra than any out on the floor, Xzayvier Brown. The four-year starter had played in three games in the historic gymnasium and in a place where so many Cahillites greats have left their mark on the program and Philadelphia Catholic League history, the St. Joe’s signee finally got his moment.
Brown poured in 12 of his 22 points in the second half to lift Roman Catholic to a 66-59 win over Archbishop Wood to secure a spot in the Philadelphia Catholic League championship game on Monday night. Brown – who lost in the title game as a freshman alongside Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons), Justice Williams (LSU) and Lynn Greer III (St. Joe’s) – felt the urgency to not only deliver his moment but understood the gravity of being in this spot at this point in his career.
“I do feel like this is my last chance and I want to end the last run on my own,” Brown said. “I don’t want to let anyone end it for me.”
Roman Catholic vs. Archbishop Wood PCL Semifinal Highlights by Rich Flanagan for PSD
Roman Catholic Senior Xzayvier Brown talks about the "Fun in Basketball " after Semifinal win over Wood. (Video/John Knebels for PSD)
Brown sank a jumper from the elbow to cap a 7-0 run to end the first half and cut the Vikings deficit to four heading into the locker room. Erik Oliver-Bush slammed home the first basket of the third quarter then gathered his own miss on the ensuing possession and the game was tied at 36-36. One of Brown’s best attributes is his unwavering poise, regardless of the score. It could be the tutelage of his stepfather, St. Joe’s assistant Justin Scott who was a standout at George Washington Carver Engineering and Science. It could be his time from playing with the likes of Duren, Williams, and Green as well as former league MVP Daniel Skillings Jr. and All-Catholic selectee Khalil Farmer.
Wherever it comes from, few players at his age possess it, and above all, can showcase it on this stage. Head coach Chris McNesby has seen players change the trajectory of their careers with memorable performances in this historic building and Brown added his name to the list.
“He’s right up there with all of them,” McNesby said. “As a coach, when you have a point guard who just runs the team, doesn’t turn it over and shares it, it makes it a lot easier as a coach. I’m a better coach because of him.”
Proud Roman Catholic head coach Chris McNesby is about to play in his 5th Championship. (video/ John Knebels for PSD)
Brown took a quick dribble toward the lane then stopped on a dime and drilled a three-pointer from just behind the arc and the Cahillites (21-3) led by three. Jermai Stewart-Herring – who had 13 points – converted inside to give Roman Catholic a 41-36 lead at the 4:44 mark of the third. Robert Cottrell had a big night off the bench with 10 points and scored four straight points during a stretch in that third quarter but league MVP Jalil Bethea (22 points, eight rebounds) answered with a deep three-pointer and the Vikings trailed 47-46 heading to the fourth.
After the Vikings were moving up and down the floor with relative ease in that opening half as evidenced by Milan Dean’s 11-point second quarter, the Cahillites responded with a huge third and that was the result of advice from their accomplished head coach.
“We talk about getting the ball right out of the net and going at them,” McNesby said. “We try to have short-term memory.”
Shareef Jackson – whose father Marc starred at Roman Catholic and won a pair of Philadelphia Catholic League titles – had a sensational game with eight points, 11 rebounds and seven steals in what was one of his best games of the season. His beautiful finish off a spin move into a right hook gave the Cahillites a 49-46 lead over the Vikings (15-8) with 6:54 left to play. Then Brown hit his marquee shot of the night. Jackson set a screen for Brown on the left wing and when East Stroudsburg commit Carson Howard sagged off, Brown confidently rose and swished a trey to give the Cahillites a six-point advantage.
Roman Catholic vs. Archbishop Wood (Photo Gallery by Kathy Leister for PSD)
Bethea wasn’t done as he was fouled behind the arc and calmly sank all three free throws then Josh Reed, who had 12 points on the night, got out in transition and converted an and-one to tie the game at 54-54 with 3:59 remaining. Jackson answered with a left hook to take the lead back for his side then fellow St. Joe’s signee Anthony Finkley found Brown for one of his six assists. Stewart-Herring sank two free throws then put the finishing touches on the victory as Brown recorded a steal and found the 6-5 senior for a thunderous two-handed slam and Roman Catholic led 62-54 with 24 seconds left to play.
The Cahillites will meet Neumann-Goretti in Monday’s final and the matchup will be the 10th between the two storied programs since 1999. Brown has lost twice to the Saints at the Palestra, including last season’s setback in the semifinals, but one thing is for sure, his unflappable composure will be on full display as he attempts to will Roman Catholic to its 33rd league championship in program history.
“I’m not going to lie, I was nervous [playing here] my freshman year,” Brown said jokingly. “I can’t really tell you how the Palestra is or how it feels but in practice we try to emulate it and go with high intensity.”