BOYS’ BASKETBALL: The Catholic League Goes 7-0, As All Teams Advance to the Second Round of the PIAA State Tournament

By John Knebels - Photos by Mike Gray & Kevin Murphy - Videos by Zamani Feelings, Jt Hoagland , 03/12/18, 10:45PM EDT

Neumann-Goretti, St. Joseph’s Prep, Roman Catholic, Archbishop Carroll, Bonner-Prendergast, Conwell-Egan and Bishop McDevitt continue to represent the PCL in the state playoff race.

2018 Philadelphia Catholic League PIAA State Tournament Round-Up

FIRST ROUND:

Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball coach Carl Arrigale was rushing off to practice when he was asked about the mindset of his Saints.

“They want to win,” said Arrigale.

Enough said.

The defending state champs took care of business in the first round of the PIAA state tournament as the Class 3A Saints cruised past Steelton-Highspire, 80-59. N-G received a career-high 28 points from Noah Warren. Ja’Cor Smith tallied 18 points and Chris Ings added 11.

Neumann-Goretti vs. Steelton Highspire - Photos by Kevin Murphy

Neumann-Goretti vs. Steelton Highspire - Highlight Video by Kevin Murphy

In other PIAA action, Class 6A St. Joseph’s Prep beat Northampton, 62-57, behind Trevor Wall’s career-best 21 points. Kyle Thompson (14 points), Ed Croswell (12), and Darius Kinnel (10) also helped the Hawks.

“A great win,” said Kinnel. “I take my hat off to Northampton because they were a good team and played well. They gave us a heck of a game. We came up with stops down the stretch to pull it out.”

Roman Catholic bounced back from its upset loss to Lincoln in the city final and edged Pennridge, 58-56. The Class 6A Cahillites needed every offensive contribution from Hakim Hart (22 points), Lynn Greer III (16), and Seth Lundy (15).

“It was definitely important for us to pick up the win after the loss to Lincoln, just to get some confidence back,” said Roman junior Louie Wild. “We had a couple tough days of practice but we feel when we play to our capabilities and play together as a team, we can play with anyone.”

In Class 5A Archbishop Carroll’s 66-59 triumph over Wissahickon, Luke House scored 20, AJ Hoggard 15, and Justin Anderson 15.

“We started off kind of flat,” said senior Keyon Butler. “We had some ups and downs but we kept fighting. It seemed as if we had no spark, but we picked it up in the second half. Glad to walk out with a good win against a good team.”

Class 5A Bonner-Prendergast received 22 points from Catholic League Most Valuable Player Isaiah Wong and defeated New Oxford, 56-45. Ajiri Johnson added 10 and Tariq Ingraham nine for the victors.

A startling five different players reached double digits as Class 4A Conwell-Egan upended Wilson, 73-58. Catholic League scoring champion Patrick Robinson did what he does best, pouring in 25. Delroy Gayle and Eric Esposito scored 12 apiece. Joe Baldachino and Donavin Crawford both netted 10, a career high for the latter.

A trio of sophomores paced Class 3A Bishop McDevitt’s 59-42 victory over Kutztown. Robert Smith (18 points), Shamir Mosley (10), and Jamil Manigo (10) all reached double figures.

In the second round of the PIAA tournament, Tuesday action will see 4A Conwell-Egan face Bethlehem Catholic 7 PM at Souderton High School; 5A Archbishop Carroll tackle Lampeter-Strasburg 7:30 at Governor Mifflin High School; and 5A Bonner-Prendergast face William Penn 7:30 at Geigle Complex in Reading.

Four games are scheduled for Wednesday. At 6 PM at Council Rock High School, 3A Bishop McDevitt meets Notre Dame-Green Pond. Two 7 PM games feature 6A Roman Catholic vs. Plymouth-Whitemarsh at Bensalem and 6A St. Joseph’s Prep against Abington at Archbishop Ryan. At 7:30, 3A Neumann-Goretti plays Wyoming Seminary at Freedom High School.