RADNOR, PA – In a Senior Night match that Archbishop Carroll head coach Paul Romanczuk deemed an essential win with only one game remaining before the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) basketball tourney, the Patriots (5-6) played hard and physical against the Friars of Monsignor Bonner (6-5).
Archbishop Carroll student section - photo by Chip Frenette
The raucous student section didn’t make it any easier, filling in as the sixth man adding to Carroll’s edge. Early in the game, it was easy to see that Bonner was going to be handily outmatched when they were unable to capitalize on the sloppy Patriot play that soon tightened.
Before the game, Romanczuk explained why a win would be important before the PCL playoffs.
“I don’t think we can get out of the 7, 8, 9 games,” said Romanczuk, “But a win can put us in a position to host one of those games.”
The Patriots jumped to an 8-2 lead with a pair from outside the arc from two of the nights celebrated seniors Colin Daly and Jahmir Marble-Williams. But missed opportunities by Carroll exposed a striking point early, but the Friars were unable to capitalize.
The Patriots and Friars battled with hard pics and a lot of contact. The refs let the boys play that is when Carroll took advantage of their size over the Friars.
Bonner’s Christian Lane, Ajiri Johnson and Tymir Cooper were able to counter 5 each in the first half, but it was no match for Carroll whose lead grew steady with another pair of three point buckets from junior Devon Ferrero, who extended the Patriots lead to 14 at the half.
Williams, who would stay hot for the rest of the night draining five three-pointers, finished with 19 points in the contest. Also in the second half the 6’ 2” freshman AJ Hoggard was electric with eight for a total of 10 on the night.
With only one game remaining for each team before heading to the PCL tourney, momentum is important for both squads.
“We have no momentum right now,” said Friars head coach Jack Concannon. “A win on Sunday is what we need to get some going.”
Sunday night both teams wrap up their regular seasons. Carroll plays at Conwell-Egan (5-7) and Bonner will return home to play Cardinal O’Hara (0-12).
