Photos/Videos: Zack Beavers, Rich Flanagan & Jack Verdeur
By: Rich Flanagan
PHILADELPHIA – That glimmer of hope is what had Archbishop Ryan believing they could do what only three times have done this year: defeat reigning Class 5A champion, Imhotep Charter. The Raiders lost to the Panthers in the District 12-5A title game only 18 days ago but for a team that has learned from its mistakes, the opportunity was there for the taking, even if only for a quick spurt.
Florida Gulf Coast signee Rahmir Barno – who finished with 14 points, eight assists and five steals - nailed a three-pointer from straightaway to give the Panthers a five-point lead with 3:19 left before halftime and were ready to book their trip to a familiar site heading into the locker room.
PIAA 5A semifinal highlights - Archbishop Ryan vs. Imhotep - PSD Video by Rich Flanagan
The Raiders had struggled at times to break the Imhotep press in that opening half but there were several occurrences where they not only advanced the basketball but turned the possession into points, matching the high-octane offensive style of Barno, Kentucky signee Justin Edwards and Ahmad Nowell, one of the top junior guards in the country. Thomas Sorber answered Barno’s trey with four straight free throws and even got Edwards into early foul trouble as he picked up his second and had to sit.
On the ensuing possession, Michael Paris got free on the wing and turned a smooth spin move into a left-handed finish to give the Raiders their first and only lead of the night at 25-24 in the closing seconds of the first half.
Head coach Joe Zeglinski, coaching the Raiders in the state tournament for the seventh time in the last eight seasons, felt a shift during that run and was hopeful his side could sustain the momentum that not only kept it within striking distance, but gave it the lead.
“We got the ball to Thomas and spaced it [on the press,]” Zeglinski said. “We did a good job of spacing and not letting Edwards get into that trap early in the game. I thought we were prepared for it, and we gave ourselves a chance in the second, but some things got away from us.”
With future head coach John Calipari looking on, Edwards posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Nowell sank three three-pointers and finished with 23 points as Imhotep pulled away from Archbishop Ryan in a 72-50 victory at St. Joe’s Prep to advance to its second straight PIAA 5A title game on Friday night in Hershey. The Raiders were hoping to move on to their second state final in three seasons but Imhotep (29-3) broke things open to start the third quarter with a 20-4 run and things unraveled from there.
Nowell began the third with a trey from the wing then Yahmir Satterfield hit one of his own followed by successive baskets from Edwards and junior forward Makye Taylor (10 points, seven rebounds) that gave the Panthers a 36-27 at the 5:48 mark of the quarter. Nowell hit three more free throws during the run then Satterfield’s second corner trey put things out of reach at 45-29. Archbishop Ryan (17-11) would never get the score closer than 12 as junior guard Darren Williams, who fouled out in the fourth, converted in the lane.
Archbishop Ryan vs. West Chester Rustin - PIAA 5A First Round Gallery by PSD's Zack Beavers
After losing in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals, being able to maneuver and concentrate on what was still achievable, specifically the state tournament, is what Williams will remember most from this season to prepare him for his final one.
“I’ll remember all the ups and downs, and what it takes to win,” Williams said. “I didn’t have to tell my guys about effort and playing hard. Knowing that makes this loss a little better knowing we lost playing hard. We all wanted to win and achieve the same goal.”
Sorber led the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in another dominant outing that saw him do a lot of his damage helping break the press and initiating his own offense with strong drives to the rim. The 6-foot-9 junior forward boasts offers from St. John’s. Virginia, Miami (Fla.), Georgetown, Penn State and Villanova – who had associate head coach George Halcovage and assistant Mike Nardi in to watch the matchup – and has evolved into one of the best bigs in Pa. Paris scored 13 points in his final high school game and junior Ryan Everett (nine points including two three-pointers) took his game to another level during this state run.
Playing deep into the league and state playoffs is a precedent Zeglinski has set for his program, and he knows taking the valuable experience of being in this type of atmosphere against a team as talented and seasoned as Imhotep bodes well for the future.
Archbishop Ryan junior Thomas Sorber #35 - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
“That’s the standard and we’re not surprised by it,” Zeglinski said. “We expect to compete and win every game that we play. That’s the mindset going into the season this year. We made a great run by beating that Radnor team and they’re a great high school team.”
A season after advancing to the Philadelphia Catholic League title game, the Raiders won 10 league games for the first time since 2006, Zeglinski’s senior season at Archbishop Ryan. Despite falling to West Catholic at home in the quarterfinals, they turned things around, culminating with the 69-65 win over Radnor – a team that came into that contest with an unblemished 29-0 record. Williams was sensational with 28 points, including five three-pointers, and Sorber was as dominant as ever with 14 points, 11 rebounds and an astounding 10 blocks. Everett also hit a pair of treys in that victory.
Sorber and Williams were both named First Team All-Catholic this season and with that dynamic one-two combination of size, skill and athleticism returning after terrific junior campaigns, Zeglinski is confident more success is on the horizon.
“Thomas and Darren have been great all season,” Zeglinski said. “Darren is really starting to come into his own being a lead guard and making big play after big play for us down the stretch. Our freshman guard Matt Johnson got some quality minutes in the last month. We’ll also have Rocco [Morabito] and Christian [Durham] back next season, so I’m looking forward to it but this one is going to hurt for a little bit.”
Archbishop Ryan vs. West Chester East - PIAA 2nd Round Gallery by PSD's Jack Verdeur
Williams was able to strike a smile as he walked off the court thinking about all that had been accomplished this season, and he’s taking that pedigree with him into the offseason with a Philadelphia Catholic League title game and state semifinal appearance to his credit.
“It will help me out knowing the type of competition that I’m going against and knowing how focused every player is going to have to be,” Williams said. “It’s not going to be walk in the park and we’re going to need to be locked in and focused.”