By: Zach Gephart
PHILADELPHIA - On a celebratory night for all of West Catholic High School, the Burrs were able to send their seniors home with one final gift: a win.
Lansdale Catholic approached West Catholic High School Friday night with hopes of obtaining their first win in PCL play. After losing to La Salle College earlier in the week by 30 points, they looked to bounce back and play the spoiler role. West Catholic’s squad, on the other hand, had lost their previous seven games. Losing to a strong Saint Joe’s Prep team on Monday night, the Burrs aimed to honor their seniors with a proper send-off.
Rowan Romero and June Webb proved to be Lansdale Catholic’s leading scorers, both finishing with 10-point performances. After a quick start by the Crusaders, West Catholic freshman Jayvon Byrd rained three-pointers to bring his final total to 16 points. His senior teammate Tariq Jennings, who would tally an additional 14 points, built onto the Burrs’ performance with four three-pointers of his own. West Catholic’s defense would eventually prove to be too much for Lansdale Catholic in a 71-49 victory.
West Catholic vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Highlights by Zach Gephart
“When they got the lead, coach [didn’t] want them to hold the ball,” said Jennings. “So we wanted to speed them up so they could turn the ball over [and we could] keep the game fast”
Lansdale Catholic came out swinging, with senior Cole Meehan swiftly hitting two three-pointers to help give his Crusaders an early 8-2 lead. The Burrs would respond with a run of their own, highlighted by an eight point burst by Byrd. In a close contest, West Catholic would hold the slight edge after the first quarter with a 13-12 lead.
The Burrs would build off of their momentum leading into the second quarter, expanding the difference to seven points. Junior Saaid Lee was the next to go on a tear, crafting his game total of nine points in this quarter alone. However, this would not go unanswered as Lansdale Catholic spread the ball around to find open shooters to keep the game within reach. As the first half concluded, West Catholic held a stern 34-25 lead.
When the second half began, the Burrs began scoring at will.
Jennings dominated from beyond the arc, hitting three-pointer after three-pointer. In addition to his nine points scored, other Burrs such as junior Isaiah Muhammad helped West Catholic drain six three-pointers in the third quarter. Although the Crusaders attempted to ride Webb’s six to fight back, the lead had swollen to 54-36 as the two teams entered the final period of play.
Freshmen Myles Moore and Byrd paved the way in the game’s closing moments, with the two scoring over half of West Catholic’s 17 points in the fourth quarter. Yeboa Cobbold would lead the way for Lansdale Catholic, grabbing six points in a quarter that saw five different Crusaders score. Despite their best collective efforts, the Burrs would cruise to a win in dominant fashion.
Although Lansdale Catholic would be on the losing end of senior night, their veterans have begun sharing their knowledge to the schools’ next generation of players.
West Catholic seniors Julian Baysmore & Tariq Jennings reflect on their win vs. LC and their time as a West Catholic Burr - PSD Video by Zach Gephart
Lansdale Catholic senior Cole Meehan reflects on his time as a Crusader and leaves advice for his underclassmen teammates - PSD Video by Zach Gephart
“Just play hard,” said Meehan. “Just play hard, that’s it”.
Both teams will begin their final stretch of games on Monday night. The Crusaders will look to break their losing streak when they hit the road to take on the Archbishop Carroll Patriots. West Catholic will travel to La Salle College High School in hopes of ending their regular season on a win streak.