BOYS’ BASKETBALL: Clutch Baskets & Rivalry Match-ups Highlight This Week’s Catholic League Round-up as Playoffs Loom

By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: Kathy Leister, Patty Morgan & Angelise Stuhl

PHILADELPHIA – It’s been a tough stretch for Conwell-Egan, and that’s putting it mildly.

Despite significant effort though 10 Catholic League contests, the predominantly-underclassmen Eagles came into their January 28thcontest against visiting Lansdale Catholic without a victory.

Four quarters and almost perfect basketball later, the losing streak was in the rearview mirror.

Led by senior Sean Stokes’ 21 points and a balanced scoring attack, Conwell-Egan defeated the Crusaders, 72-45.

“Yeah, it was very tough having a losing streak like that,” said Stokes. “You have to be mentally strong. I could tell my teammates were playing with confidence and having fun.It just felt good to win.”

Along with the impact from sure-to-be All-Catholic Stokes, sophomore DJ Auten and junior KJ Davis both scored 11 while senior Exabian Harrell and sophomore Mac Coyle added 10 apiece.

Stokes said CE’s home crowd was “extremely supportive this particular game, and without a doubt, it helped us pull off the victory.”

When the Eagles practiced the next day, Stokes said there really was no discernable difference in the squad’s enthusiasm, something for which he commended first-year head coach, Adam Bowen.

“Surprisingly, practice is always upbeat,” said Stokes.

Conwell-Egan vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Photos by Kathy Leister

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Conwell-Egan vs. Lansdale Catholic - Kathy Leister

“No matter how bad we lose or how frustrating it gets, everyone from the top down is still focused on winning. That’s a huge credit to Coach Bowen for keeping everyone motivated.”

NORTHEAST CLASH

This past Friday, the battle of the Northeast took place between host Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge.

Ryan vs. Judge Game Highlights by Angelise Stuhl:

The electrifying crowd set the tone for an action-packed game, which started out with both student sections singing the National Anthem and ended with Archbishop Ryan senior Ja’Quill Stone being lifted center court after the Raiders defeated the Crusaders 63-54.

“That was a first,” said Stone in reference to being hoisted by his fellow students.

“I felt really loved. I think they appreciate me here and I appreciate them a lot.”

Despite Judge’s late second-half comeback, Ryan held on to the lead. Junior Gediminas Mokseckas led Ryan with 16 points, with seniors Stone and Colin Reed following with 15 apiece.

“It was fun to play out there,” said Stone, “I just hope we keep it up.”

Judge senior Shane Dooley led the Crusaders with 25 points.

“It’s a tough loss but we’ll be back,” said Dooley. “It’s not the end of the world…we still have games to play.”

Senior Ja'Quill Stone talks about the hype surrounding the rivalry & points out his teammates that contributed to Ryan's victory:

Ryan sophomores Taleeq Robbins (L) and Aaron Lemon-Warren (R) talk about their team's game plan vs. Judge & keeping motivated going forward:

DOOLEY NOTED

With eight seconds remaining and his team down one, Father Judge sophomore Aidan Dooley stole a pass and was later fouled with two ticks left on the clock.

Nothing like a little pressure . . .

But Dooley, cool and relaxed, canned both freebies to give the Crusaders a crucial 56-55 win over visiting West Catholic.

“I honestly just didn’t even think about the score or the clock or anything,” said Dooley, who finished with 10 points. “They kind of felt just like two regular free throws, but the first free throw that went in to tie the game was a big relief because even if you miss the second one, it’s a tie at that point.”

It wasn’t until later that Dooley considered the clutchness of his contribution.

“After the game walking down to the locker room, I kind of just realized like, ‘Wow. That was crazy,’” he said.

Judge has won two of three after an 0-8 start and can now see the light of a possible playoff berth.

In the Crusaders’ other victory, another Dooley, senior brother Shane, had won the game on a late basket. Any advice from Shane before the shots?

“He looked at me and just nodded his head at me, and I just smiled and laughed,” said Aidan. “Against Ryan, we missed a lot of free throws, and this week in practice, coach (Sean) Tait made us shoot a lot of free throws. I probably shot like 200 in two days, and that definitely helped a lot.”

Shane Dooley, who scored 13, was proud of his younger brother.

“No doubt at all,” said Shane, referring to his thoughts before the winning free throws. “I have a ton of faith in Aidan.”

Senior Shane Dooley talks about the rivalry vs. Ryan and what it means to play basketball for Father Judge:

Sophomore Aidan Dooley reflects on the atmosphere as a learning experience & gives well-wishes to his brother Shane:

Sophomore Nahseer Johnson talks about gaining confidence in his game & what is means to be a "Judge guy":

VICTORY IS IN THE HOUSE

Archbishop Carroll had lost three straight, albeit to three of the Catholic League’s elite – Neumann-Goretti, Bonner-Prendergast, and Roman Catholic. The Patriots were in desperation of a signature win.

They received it on the evening of January 28.

In front of a jam-packed crowd at Carroll, senior Luke House nailed a buzzer-beater to lift the Pats to a stirring, 57-55 win over previously undefeated La Salle. The triumph improved Carroll’s record to 6-4 and also served noticed that there is another potential champion for other teams to consider.

Archbishop Carroll senior Luke House hits buzzer-beater to lift Carroll past previously undefeated La Salle - PSD Photo by Patty Morgan

#4 Tairi Ketner contributed 10 points in Carroll's victory vs. La Salle - PSD Photo by Patty Morgan

“It meant a lot for us,” said senior Kiyl Mack. “We worked hard all weekend preparing for the game. It helped us get over the hump of the long three-game losing stretch. It gave our team a huge confidence boost and broughtus back together. The win was a huge one.”

House finished with 14 points. Junior Ny’mire Little added 15 points and junior Tairi Ketner 10 more. Junior Amiri Stewart and sophomore Anquan Hill contributed eight apiece.

As for La Salle, the Explorers fell to 17-1 overall and 10-1 in the league. Next up is a first-place battle with visiting Roman Catholic Friday night. The winner will have a firm grasp on the regular-season title march, which concludes on February 10.

“It was hard in the moment,” said La Salle senior Titus Beard, whose 11 points trailed senior Konrad Kiszka’s 18 and senior Allen Powell’s 12. “We can definitely learn from the loss and grow.

“Roman is another big game for us. Every game is important to us. This game is a little more because it will determine the number-one seed.”

Roman Catholic is looking forward to the challenge. The Cahillites (14-4 overall) are one half game out of first at 9-1 and are winners of five straight.

Senior Hakim Hart, senior Seth Lundy, junior Lynn Greer, and freshman Jalen Duren have all reached double digits three straight games and collectively averaged 16.7 per contest.

For Duren, he has scored in double figures 17 of his 18 high school games. The one he missed? He “only” scored eight.

“The game Friday for us is humongous,” said senior Gabe Perez. “We understand the PCL and state playoff implications, as well as it just being a statement game. They’re a great team, with Division One players, as well as a great coach (Mike McKee) – a Roman alum, by the way – and they play as a team.

Roman vs. St. Joe's Prep - Photos by Kathy Leister

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Roman vs. SJP - PSD Photos by Kathy Leister

“For us to go in their building and pull one out would be extremely gutsy, but that’s exactly what I expect from my guys. We are a war-tested team and we have more than enough talent.”

NOTES: Bishop McDevitt is humming along at 8-2. In a win over Devon Prep, the Lancers’ fourth straight, junior Jamil Manigo scored 19 and classmate Robert Smith added 12 . . . Neumann-Goretti placed five players (senior Chris Ings, 16; junior Jordan Hall, 16; junior Hakim Byrd, 15; senior Ja’cor Smith, 11; and sophomore Chris Evans, 10) in double figures in a 76-60 win over Archbishop Ryan. In defeat, sophomore Aaron Lemon-Warren scored 26 for the Raiders . . . West Catholic freshman Nasir Griffin tallied 20 in the aforementioned loss at Father Judge and has now led his team in scoring four straight games.

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