BOYS’ BASKETBALL: First League Wins and Career Milestones Compile This Week’s Catholic League Record Setting Round-Up

By: John Knebels

Photos: FJ Jr. Reporter Alex Duda, Mike Gray, James Williamson, Chip Frenette and MBAP Jr. Reporter's Maeve Muldoon & Mike Devlin

PHILADELPHIA- It had to come sometime. It was just a question of when.

Since a forecast of horrendous weather postponed ever Catholic League boys’ basketball game from 1/20 to 1/21, Father Judge had to wait an extra 24 hours to figure out a way to seize its first league victory.

Thanks mostly to senior Shane Dooley, the Crusaders enjoyed the sweet taste of success.

Led by Dooley’s career-high 32 points, Father Judge edged visiting Cardinal O’Hara, 70-68. Dooley also scored the game winner on a short jumper inside the lane with two seconds left.

“It’s been tough on everyone,” said Dooley. “We were so close, and stuff just wasn’t going our way. We’re happy to get our first league win under are belt and now will hopefully keep it rolling.”

Sophomore Nahseer Johnson added 22 for the Crusaders, who on Friday visit rival Archbishop Ryan.

“It felt good,” said Johnson. “It was a really good team win. It definitely builds our confidence. We have to keep it going to push for a spot in a playoffs.”

After O’Hara immediately called timeout, the first player to greet Dooley was his sophomore brother, Aidan Dooley.

Father Judge vs. O'Hara Game Highlights by FJ Jr. Reporter Alex Duda:

“That’s amazing,” he said. “He always hits those kind of big shots. I had a feeling that one was going to go in.”

O’Hara was able to launch a potential game winner that actually nicked off the rim, preserving the Crusaders’ much-anticipated victory.

“It looked good,” said Aidan, “but I was just kinda like, ‘No way that’s going in.’”

Johnson explained the Crusaders’ somewhat subdued reaction to Dooley’s game winner.

“We were focused on getting the final stop,” said Johnson. “We were so in the moment, we didn’t even realize what was going on.”

Cardinal O’Hara (2-7) bounced back two nights later to beat visiting Conwell-Egan. The Lions, whose roster includes only one senior – DeShon Womack– received balanced scoring from sophomore Adrian Irving (14), sophomore Solo Bambara (13), junior Kevin Reeves (12), junior Tre Dinkins (11), and sophomore Sean Hutchinson (11), while seven others contributed at least two points. Senior Sean Stokes’ 17, sophomore Jalen Cary’s 11, and freshman Anthony Burns’ 10 led the 0-10 Eagles.

Bonner-Prendergast senior Mike Perretta established an unofficial Catholic League record for three pointers. His 10 treys on 13 attempts supplied all of his career-high 30 points and helped the Friars soar past visiting St. Joseph’s Prep, 86-63.

Senior Isaiah Wong scored his 1,000th point in MBAP's victory vs. SJP - PSD Photo by Chip Frenette

Mike Perretta sets PCL record, hitting 10 three-pointers in a single game - Video courtesy of MBAP senior Mike Devlin

Isaiah Wong hits his 1,000th point as a Friar - Video courtesy of MBAP student Maeve Muldoon

MBAP vs. St. Joe's Prep - Photos by Chip Frenette

MBAP vs. St. Joe's Prep - Photos by Chip Frenette

Entering the game with 14 Catholic League points and 48 altogether this season, Perretta entertained a home crowd that was treated to his fifth three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first half.

Not a bad way to celebrate turning 18 that same day.

“Best birthday ever,” said Perretta, who for his efforts got “pied” in the locker room as the Friars celebrated. “I just was feeling it from warm-ups. A bunch of my friends were telling me I had to go off for my birthday, and it was something special.”

Perretta cited senior teammate and reigning league Most Valuable Player Isaiah Wong as a key reason for his out-of-nowhere heroics.

“Every team knows me well from last year,” said Perretta, “but Prep was playing a box-and-one on Isaiah for most of the game, and that’s why I got open a lot.”

As for Wong, the University of Miami-bound guard scored 12 points, none more important than a three-point swish with 3:48 left in the first quarter that catapulted him into the career 1,000-point plateau.

Low key as usual, Wong downplayed his accomplishment.

“I did know it was coming on the shot, and I wanted to make a three,” said Wong. “When I had the ball and my ‘big’ set the screen and the man went under, I hit a deep three.”

Bonner-Prendergast (12-1 overall, 7-1 league) will visit undefeated La Salle (16-0, 9-0) tonight (7:00) in a rare Thursday contest (January 24). The Friars will try to stop the Explorers’ season-long winning streak.

La Salle’s most recent feat was particularly impressive because it occurred on the court of perennial juggernaut Neumann-Goretti. Seniors Allen Powell (22 points), Konrad Kiszka (18), and Titus Beard (11) paced a 67-57 win despite senior Ja’cor Smith’s 17 points, junior Hakim Byrd’s 16, and senior Chris Ings’ 12.

“It was definitely a statement win,” said Beard. “We showed that we can win on the road against a good team. We haven’t beaten Neumann in a couple of years, so that made the win a little sweeter.”

Added Kiszka: “In the Catholic League, playing at the other team’s gym is always a battle, and we got the hard-fought win.”

Roman Catholic received 26 points apiece from senior Hakim Hart and junior Lynn Greer while freshman Jalen Duren added 13 and senior Seth Lundy 12 more to lift the Cahillites (7-1) past visiting Archbishop Wood, 86-65.

Hart has averaged 23.6 points over the past five games. For Wood (6-2), sophomore Rahsool Diggins scored 20 while senior Julius Phillips and sophomore Daeshon Shepherd added 14 apiece.

“I prefer it when we get everyone involved,” said Roman Catholic coach Matt Griffin. “Our opponents’ defense and flow of the game dictate who scores on any given night, but we have multiple players who can score double figures. My focus is on defense and rebounding.”

Behind senior Seneca Willoughby’s 15 points and junior Jamil Manigo’s 12, Bishop McDevitt placed 11 scorers in the scoring column in a 74-31 victory over Conwell-Egan.

Roman vs. Neumann-Goretti 1st Half Game Highlights:

Roman vs. Goretti 2nd Half Game Highlights:

(Videos by Angelise Stuhl)

Four different Lancers have led in scoring during league games, two behind league-leading La Salle.

“We prefer to have it that way,” said McDevitt coach Will Chavis.

Devon Prep vs. Archbishop Ryan Highlight video by James Williamson

Ryan vs. Lansdale - PSD Photos by Mike Gray

Ryan vs. Lansdale Catholic - Mike Gray

NOTES:

West Catholic notched its first win, a 53-29 decision at Lansdale Catholic. Freshman Nasir Griffin scored 24 and senior Samier Kinsler added 15 for the victorious Burrs . . .

Archbishop Ryan upended host Devon Prep, 61-35, riding the firepower of sophomore Aaron Lemon-Warren (17 points), junior Gediminias Mokseckas (13), and senior Ja’Quill Stone (10). The red-hot Raiders (6-2) have captured their last six games and boast a whopping18 double-digit scorers over the past five games.

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