BOYS’ BASKETBALL: Congratulations to the All-Catholic Announcements as the PCL Heats Up to Name a Champion: Let the Playoffs Begin!

By: John Knebels

Photos/Videos: Chip Frenette, Kathy Leister, Chris Evangelist, Alex Duda (Father Judge Jr. Reporter), Liam Turnbach (La Salle Jr. Reporter) & Rich Flanagan

PHILADELPHIA –The All-Catholic team was announced last night, and the 25 best players in the Catholic League received phone calls of major congrats.

Bonner-Prendergast senior Isaiah Wong was named PCL MVP for the second consecutive year & also reached the 1,000 point plateau for the Friars this season - PSD Photo by Chip Frenette

No one had more reason to celebrate than Bonner-Prendergast senior Isaiah Wong.

The University of Miami-bound senior and consecutive Catholic League scoring champ had just been named Most Valuable Player for the second straight season, the first since St. Joseph’s Prep alum Steve Vasturia assumed the honors in both 2012 and 2013 before he orchestrated an outstanding career at the University of Notre Dame.

“It’s an honor,” said Wong. “It’s a great feeling.”

All-Catholic nominations are, however, individual awards. With the league season now complete, it’s playoff time. Indeed, this is where the fun truly begins. That brings us to Father Judge.

Keep plugging. Keep practicing hard. Keep the faith. If the Crusaders had a dollar for every time they were encouraged to not give up despite how lousy the season was going through eight games, they might have been able to avoid college loans.

Although the Crusaders unfortunately did not fiscally benefit after losing close games by nine to Bonner-Prendergast, six to Neumann-Goretti, and one to St. Joseph’s Prep – annual juggernauts all – they did reap enough rewards to celebrate reaching the postseason.

“Yeah, the start of the season was tough and obviously not the way we wanted to start it,” said senior Shane Dooley, the league’s fifth-leading scorer at 17.6 per game and a second-team All-Catholic. “Now we’re playing good basketball and won enough games down the stretch to get in to the playoffs. I’m happy for everyone in the program and excited for Wednesday.”

That’s when 10-seed Father Judge will travel to seven-seed Archbishop Carroll for a Valentine’s Day, pre-quarterfinal battle. Although the Crusaders’ league record of 4-10 is the only losing mark among the 10 teams that qualified for the playoffs, they have captured three of their last four and four of their last six, albeit by a composite margin of seven points.

Talk about the Cardiac Kids.

“It’s a big accomplishment to qualify for the playoffs,” said sophomore Nahseer Johnson. “The season started rough, but the coaches preached to be mentally tough, and that’s exactly what we were.

“We gutted out those last six games out and ended up getting four of them, although it wasn’t easy at all. So proud of this group and how we have approached this season, but we didn’t do nothing yet. We know what’s ahead of us.”

Junior Nick Minich has been waiting for this opportunity.

“It’s been our goal since we started having team meetings and open gyms,” said Minich.

(All Father Judge Videos taken by Jr. Reporter, Alex Duda)

FJ senior Shane Dooley hits two of his 32 points in 70-68 victory vs. Cardinal O'Hara:

Nahseer Johnson hits a crucial free-throw in Judge's 45-44 victory vs. Lansdale Catholic - followed by a three from LC's Jamir Hicks:

Aidan Dooley snags his brother's rebound for a slick put-back in 56-55 victory vs. West Catholic:

"You can’t have a shot if you don’t make it to the tournament. We knew that it didn’t matter what our record was, because once we got in, everyone was 0-0. But even though we are in the playoffs, we aren’t just going to give up now. We are still pushing to make a run and surprise people this year.”

Sophomore Aidan Dooley, brother of Shane, lauded Judge’s upperclassmen.

“It’s definitely a huge accomplishment,” he said. “I’m really especially happy for the seniors to be in the playoffs.

“The beginning of the year didn’t start how we wanted, but we stuck together and just kept playing and went one game at a time to hopefully end up in the playoffs.”

Now they’re there, but their opponent is rough.

Archbishop Carroll Second Team All-Catholic senior Luke House fights for a loose ball vs. Wood - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

Pictured: Two Second-Team All-Catholic's in St. Joseph's Prep's Trevor Wall (#1) and Archbishop Ryan's Ja'Quill Stone (#2) - PSD Photo by Chris Evangelist

At 9-5, Archbishop Carroll is arguably playing its best basketball. The Patriots won four of their last five. That included a win over La Salle, which severed the Explorers’ perfect season, and then victories over playoff teams Archbishop Ryan and St. Joseph’s Prep, with the lone loss coming in overtime against six-seed Archbishop Wood.

“We’re doing well,” said senior second-team All-Catholic Luke House. “I think we still are yet to play our best basketball and we are still working to get to that point.”

The other pre-quarterfinal contest will pit eight-seed St. Joseph’s Prep hosting nine-seed Archbishop Ryan. Both squads finished with identical 7-7 records, but the Prep’s 49-39 victory in the league opener provided the tiebreaker.

“We have a very tough matchup,” said junior second-team All-Catholic Trevor Wall. “Ryan is playing great basketball right now, but we are ready to compete.”

The lowest remaining seed will then be, um, “rewarded” by playing regular-season champion Roman Catholic in the quarterfinals. The Cahillites finished 13-1 and landed a frightening four first-team All-Catholics in senior Hakim Hart, senior Seth Lundy, junior Lynn Greer, and freshman Jalen Duren. Hart received the second most votes; he also finished a single point shy of tying Wong for the scoring title.

“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” said Roman coach Matt Griffin. “These guys have put in the work, and it’s always a rewarding part of my job to see their work pay off.”

The second-lowest seed has quite a chore in front of them because they travel to La Salle. The 12-2 Explorers stumbled a bit late, losing two straight (by a composite eight points) after a 10-0 start, but they regained their mojo with wins over Archbishop Wood and rival St. Joseph’s Prep.

Roman senior Hakim Hart hits a deep three in 57-53 end of season victory vs. McDevitt - video by Rich Flanagan:

La Salle was the only other school to land multiple first-team All-Catholics (senior Allen Powell and senior Konrad Kiszka). Senior Zach Crisler (second team) and senior Titus Beard (third) were also recognized.

“The team is doing well,” said Beard. “We are focusing on working hard in practice and translating that into the game. I feel good about the playoffs.”

The three seed is easily the story of the year.

After winning a total of six league games over the past four seasons, Bishop McDevitt posted an 11-3 record. Because they defeated two other 11-3 teams – Neumann-Goretti and Bonner-Prendergast – they will host six-seed Archbishop Wood.

La Salle vs. Bishop McDevitt - Photos by La Salle Jr. Reporter Liam Turnbach

La Salle vs. Bishop McDevitt - Photos by Liam Turnbach

“Our team is ready for the playoffs,” said McDevitt junior second-team All-Catholic Robert Smith. “That’s all we talk about. Last year we went into the playoffs with a 4-9 record and lost in the first round to St. Joseph’s Prep. With the first-round bye, it gives us a lot of time to prep and practice and get ready for the big stage. My team is hungry and my coaches are doing everything in their power. Just don’t count us out.”

McDevitt knows it will have its hands full with Archbishop Wood.

The Vikings (9-5) dropped a 62-58 decision to McDevitt in the season opener, but they gelled quickly. They finished strong by defeating three of the last four playoff teams on the schedule (Carroll, Prep, Ryan).

“I have so much confidence in my guys,” said Rahsool Diggins, a sophomore first-team All-Catholic, “and I really feel as though we can really win the PCL. I feel as if anything is possible with my team.”

Added senior second-team Julius Phillips: “I have complete confidence in my teammates. If we play with attitude and emotion, it would be hard to stop us.”

The four-five game is a doozy, as five-seed Bonner-Prendergast visits four-seed Neumann-Goretti. Both finished 11-3, but a 78-70 win by NG over visiting BP fueled the home venue.

Bonner-Prendergast vs. Wood - PSD Photos by Chip Frenette

Bonner vs. Wood - PSD Photos by Chip Frenette

The Saints have won six of their past seven, but they were an uncharacteristic 0-3 against the top three teams. The Friars won four of their last six after a 7-1 start.

“It’s the most important time of the season,” said aforementioned Bonner-Prendergast star Wong. “The playoffs are going to be tough, but it’s game by game now.”

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

2018-19 ALL-CATHOLIC BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach of the Year– Will Chavis, Bishop McDevitt

Most Valuable Player– Isaiah Wong, Bonner-Prendergast

FIRST TEAM

Isaiah Wong, Bonner-Prendergast, Senior

Hakim Hart, Roman Catholic, Senior

Allen Powell, La Salle, Senior

Chris Ings, Neumann-Goretti, Senior

Konrad Kiszka, La Salle, Senior

Seth Lundy, Roman Catholic, Senior

Rahsool Diggins, Archbishop Wood, Sophomore

Jamil Manigo, Bishop McDevitt, Junior

Jalen Duren, Roman Catholic, Freshman

Lynn Greer III, Roman Catholic, Junior

SECOND TEAM

Tariq Ingraham, Bonner-Prendergast, Senior

Robert Smith, Bishop McDevitt, Junior

Trevor Wall, St. Joseph’s Prep, Junior

Julius Phillips, Archbishop Wood, Senior

Luke House, Archbishop Carroll, Senior

Shane Dooley, Father Judge, Senior

Hakim Byrd, Neumann-Goretti, Junior

Zach Crisler, La Salle, Senior

Daeshon Shepherd, Archbishop Wood, Sophomore

Ja’Quill Stone, Archbishop Ryan, Senior

THIRD TEAM

Gediminas Mokseckas, Archbishop Ryan, Junior

Ny’Mire Little, Archbishop Carroll, Junior

Titus Beard, La Salle, Senior

Jaylen Stinson, Archbishop Wood, Sophomore

Aaron Lemon-Warren, Archbishop Ryan, Sophomore

#0 Lynn Greer III, First Team All-Catholic from Roman Catholic - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

#21 Zach Crisler, Second Team All-Catholic senior from La Salle College HS - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister

#10 Gediminas Mokseckas, Third Team All-Catholic junior from Archbishop Ryan - PSD Photo by Chris Evangelist