BOYS' BASKETBALL: It's Not How You Start in the Catholic League, It's How You Finish - See This Week's Round-Up & Weekend Schedules

By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: Patty Morgan, Mike Gray & Rich Flanagan

PHILADELPHIA –Regardless of the reason, no team would be happy starting a season with six straight league losses.

In the case of Lansdale Catholic, however, frustration would be justified.

The good news is that the Crusaders captured their first Catholic League victory on January 13, a 53-48 decision over visiting Cardinal O’Hara. If the Crusaders are to reach the postseason, the win over O’Hara would have been pivotal.

“Yeah, it was a huge win,” said Lansdale Catholic senior guard Nick Romeo. “We knew it was going to be a battle for 32 minutes and knew that if we want to get one of those last playoff spots still available, it was a must-win game. The coaches and other players kept us going the whole game and it was an all-around great effort and good game.”

If you look up the word “brutal” in the dictionary, it might describe Lansdale Catholic’s first-half schedule. Before taking on O’Hara, the Crusaders lost home games to Roman Catholic, Archbishop Wood, and St. Joseph’s Prep along with road jaunts to Neumann-Goretti, Archbishop Carroll, and La Salle. Those six teams have a collective record of 61-19 overall and 32-6 in the Catholic League.

Ouch.

“It was definitely frustrating early on, especially the non-league games because we knew that the beginning of Catholic League was one of the hardest starts you could have,” said Romeo. “We wanted to get some wins before to be ready for this little stretch we have now. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that early on, but we stuck together and we’re coming together at the right time.”

Lansdale Catholic vs. Roman Catholic - PSD Photos by Patty Morgan

Lansdale Catholic vs. Roman Catholic - Photos by Patty Morgan

Romeo finished with 15 points – two short from his all-time high. Senior teammate Tim Cunane dropped in 12 and now has 37 over the past three games. Up next on January 18 is a visit to Archbishop Ryan. Other toughies include a visit to Bishop McDevitt and a regular-season finale against visiting Bonner-Prendergast.

But first things first.

“We know the next games on our schedule are huge and we have to bring the same energy to all those games and do what we all believe we will do to secure that playoff spot,” said Romeo. “That’s been the goal since day one, and hopefully that win will start a trend going in the right direction.”

Junior Jay Hicks didn’t mince words.

“It was definitely a relief getting a win,” he said. “But we’re capable of more wins going forward and creeping into the PCL playoffs.”

Archbishop Ryan is also in a good mood. The Raiders have won four straight, including a key 59-57 success over visiting Bishop McDevitt. Since both teams figure to be in the playoff mix, the win could decide a tiebreaker for a better seeding. Ryan is now 4-2; McDevitt is slightly ahead at 5-2.

“It was definitely important,” said Ryan senior Colin Reed.

Arch. Ryan vs. Bishop McDevitt - PSD Photos by Mike Gray

Ryan vs. McDevitt - Photos by Mike Gray

“Although we had two wins before McDevitt (and one after), that win really sparked us. I think if gave us the momentum we need to make a push in the Catholic League rankings."

Reed was one of four Raiders in double figures with 15 points, joining junior Gediminias Mokseckas (16), sophomore Aaron Lemon-Warren (11), and senior Ja’Quill Stone (10). In a subsequent 79-55 win over Conwell-Egan two days later, the quad each scored in double digits again –12, 15, 20, and 17, respectively.

Neumann-Goretti is 5-0 and faces a stiff test this weekend. The Saints visit 5-1 Roman Catholic 7:00 Friday and then host undefeated La Salle 2:30 Sunday.

Senior Chris Ings is coming off a career-high 31 points during a victory over Archbishop Carroll.

“I just got hot in the second half,” said Ings. “My teammates kept feeding me the ball because I had the hot hand and I tried to make the best of it.”

Neumann-Goretti vs. Bonner-Prendie Highlights by Rich Flanagan

As for the challenge ahead?

“It is very exciting,” said Ings. “It allows us to work on being the number-one team in the league. That is our first goal for the season right now, and these games are going to make or break our goal. We are taking it one game at a time.”

La Salle continues to mow down the competition. The Explorers are 14-0 overall and 7-0 in the league. Over the past three games, La Salle has shared the wealth, with 10, nine, and nine different players contributing to the scoring.

“It feels amazing when the entire team plays together, and the box scores show it,” said senior Zach Crisler. “We have been moving the ball and playing the right way. We are trying to create an unselfish and tough brand of basketball, and it makes it very enjoyable when we play that way.”

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

Weekend Schedule:

Friday Night 1/18

Neumann-Goretti vs. Roman @CCP 6PM

Bonner-Prendie @ Carroll 7PM

Conwell-Egan @ St. Joe’s Prep 7PM

Lansdale Catholic @ Ryan 7PM

Father Judge @ La Salle 7PM

Sunday Afternoon 1/20

West Catholic @ Lansdale Catholic 1:30PM

La Salle @ Neumann-Goretti 2:30PM

St. Joe’s Prep @ Bonner-Prendie 2:30PM

Ryan @ Devon Prep 2:30PM

McDevitt @ Conwell-Egan 3PM