PIAA Second Round:
Regardless of what happens for the rest of the way, Bishop McDevitt has had an outstanding basketball season. The program is currently making the most of its second-ever tournament appearance and first in six years.
On Tuesday night at Council Rock South High School, the Lancers advanced to the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals with a 77-51 romp over Notre Dame-Green Pond. The victory was earned the old way. Let first-year coach Will Chavis explain.
“We shared the ball well, but more importantly defended well to limit their chances to score,” said Chavis. “It was a total team effort and we played 15 players, and every single player played hard, gave effort, and contributed to the win."
It appeared early on that McDevitt would not be able to reach 16 wins for the first time since 1988, when the Lancers went 16-10, a season during which McDevitt assistant coach Dan Greenberg was a co-captain.
The Lancers fell behind early and were out of sync, but they quickly righted the ship.
“We started the game off slow for whatever reason,” said Chavis. “I called a timeout and we had a few encouraging words, and the energy changed from that point on."
In a contest that featured 11 different Lancers providing offense, sophomore Robert Smith scored a team-high 15 points, aided by a trio of three pointers that gave him 60 for the season. Smith’s scoring average of 15.8 leads the squad.
Bishop McDevitt vs Notre Dame GP - Photos by Katelyn Roman
Senior Da’Quane Williams collected nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Sophomore Jamil Manigo and senior Tahmir Thompson both netted 11 points.
Referring to a tournament scoring average of 10 points and a composite six treys, Greenberg said Thompson has “had two solid state playoff games and provided a big spark off the bench in both games.”
Next up for the Lancers is a familiar opponent, as Catholic League juggernaut and regular-season champ Neumann-Goretti stands in the way of reaching the semifinals for the first time ever. The 1 PM tilt will be played at Jefferson University. Neumann-Goretti (20-6) exorcised Wyoming Seminary, 62-44, as senior Dymir Montague’s 16 led four double-figure scorers.
In Bonner-Prendergast’s 93-73 Class 5A win over William Penn (York), junior league MVP Isaiah Wong was unstoppable yet again. Coming off a 22-point, 13-rebound, seven-steal performance in the first round, Wong poured in 32 points. Senior teammate Ajiri Johnson added 26, three off his career high.
The Friars (24-4) utilized a stifling defense, and their quickness via fast breaks was way too much for their frustrated opponent. Next up is District 11 champs Allentown Central Catholic 7:30 Friday at the Geigle Complex in Reading.
MBAP vs. William Penn HS Highlight Video
“This is the best we have played both defensively and offensively for a while,” said B-P junior Tariq Ingraham, who scored 13 points. “We’ve been playing together for a whole season plus these few state games. Each of us knows what each other can and can’t do.”
Catholic League champion Roman Catholic took the hard route in its 75-71 triumph over Plymouth-Whitemarsh. The Class 6A Cahillites, who take on Central Bucks West 2 PM Saturday at Bensalem High School, were losing by 19-4 and 27-12.
That, however, is nothing new to a team that successfully navigated similar woes throughout the Catholic League playoffs.
“We play better when our back is against the wall,” said senior Allen Betrand. “It brings out another side of us that nobody can beat.”
Betrand was magnificent in the second half, scoring 10 points in both the third and fourth quarters to finish with 26 points to go along with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Junior Hakim Hart (18 points) and sophomore Lynn Greer III (13 points) helped Roman outscore the shocked Colonials by 52-37 in the second half.
Betrand doesn’t have a definitive answer as to why Roman has garnered the “Cardiac Kids” moniker.
“I really can’t answer that question,” said Betrand. “I think we try to feel the team out to see how they play and who can do what so when we figure it out, we go into attack mode.”
Roman Catholic vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh - PSD Highlight Video by Ben Medland
Roman vs. PW - PSD photos by Ben Medland
Roman Catholic vs. PW - PSD Photos by Ben Medland
Archbishop Carroll edged Lampeter-Strasburg, 77-76, in a Class 5A overtime thriller. The Patriots thus advanced to a 7 PM Friday battle with District 3 champ Milton Hershey at Garden Spot High School.
Senior Keyon Butler tallied nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed six rebounds. Senior Justin Anderson (six rebounds, three steals) scored 10 of his 17 in the third. Junior Luke House scored 13 and dished four assists. Sophomore AJ Hoggard finished with 19 points, six assists, and four steals.
Down 10-0 and 13-2, the Patriots (20-7) increased their tempo and forced 20 turnovers. Still, it was a pair of free throws by Hoggard late in overtime that clinched the win.
“The free throws were crucial but that would not have happened without the team having faith in me and also coach (Paul Romanczuk) making us shoot 50 free throws every practice,” said Hoggard.
The season ended for both St. Joseph’s Prep and Conwell-Egan. The Hawks (Darius Kinnel career-high 28 points) lost a 66-61 heartbreaker to Abington while the Eagles (Patrick Robinson 23 points) dropped a 97-66 decision to Bethlehem Catholic.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
