PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph’s Prep successfully defended its home court Friday afternoon, defeated West Catholic 77-58 to win its sixth consecutive game and remain undefeated in Philadelphia Catholic League play.
Hawks sophomore Davis Kinnel drives toward the hoop past Burrs junior Jeohnni Moore.
The Hawks (12-3, 5-0 PCL) ended the first quarter leading 19-11 and promptly built on their lead. The 8-point deficit for West Catholic was the closest the game would be for the remainder of the contest. St. Joe’s opened the first three minutes and 30 seconds of the second quarter on a 10-2 run. The Hawks continued to expand their lead, taking a 17-point lead into the halftime locker room and leading by 23 after three quarters.
The seniors led the way for the Hawks, as Temi Aiyegbusi led all scorers with 26 points and Pete Gayhardt finished with a double-double, contributing 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Despite the 29-point victory, St. Joe’s coach William “Speedy” Morris was unhappy with his team’s defensive play. In the defeat, Burrs senior guard John Herdon scored 18 points, making 10 of the 12 free throw attempts he earned from driving to the paint.
Each team is heading in the opposite direction following today’s game. The Burrs (3-9, 2-4 Philadelphia Catholic League) have lost four of their last five games, while the Hawks are on the other end of the spectrum. After losing to Abington Dec. 29, the Hawks won their next six games including league matchups against Lansdale Catholic, Archbishop Wood, Monsignor Bonner Prendergast, and Bishop McDevitt.
Morris is happy to be 6-0 in league play, but acknowledges that his team has yet to face Archbishop Carroll, Neumann-Goretti, Roman Catholic, or LaSalle College High School, who each have at least 10 wins overall. St. Joseph’s first test against another top Catholic League team comes at home Monday against Archbishop Carroll at 3:30 pm.
Saint Joseph’s Prep senior Pete Gayhardt attacks the basket in the third quarter of Friday’s win against West Catholic.