City of Basketball Love

By Chad Graham (@CGraham_Sports)

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Two of the top leagues in the area squared off at Cabrini on Sunay for the Inter-Ac vs. Catholic League challenge with the PCL holding a 2-1 advantage. Cardinal O’Hara took down Germantown Academy, 64-61; Malvern Prep edged West Catholic, 56-47; and Bonner gave the Catholic League bragging rights with a 54-47 win over the Haverford School.

Was there for all three games of the exciting action. Here are the standouts from the event:

Aasim Burton (2024 | Cardinal O'Hara)
In many resorts, it was “Flash or Bust” for the Lions against GA and Burton didn't let them down. The Rider-signee came out the gates hot for 22 first-half points. He drained four threes during that time. As a driver, when bumped off his spots, he immediately countered by pulling up for mid-range jumpers. Then in the second, GA pressed fullcourt and to trap him in the half court, but it wasn’t enough. Burton kept his cool and found the open man for easy buckets. And despite his offensive usage, he gave 110% on defense too. He came away with a number of defensive rebounds and forced turnovers. For the game, he totalled 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals.

KJ Carson (2025 | Haverford School)
The Fords spotted Bonner nine points in the first quarter, but Carson played a major role in keeping them in the fight. With explosiveness off-the-bounce, he beat his man to get to the paint for scoop layups. The ones he didn't make resulted in trips to the line where he shot 12-of-15. Carson turned it up with 12 fourth-quarter points, highlighted by a pull-up three, to give Haverford a puncher's chance. He finished the game with 21 points and 2 steals.

Nick Harken (2027 | Malvern Prep)
In an intense game with multiple momentum shifts, Harken was a constant for his team versus West Catholic. The Friars had four players score in double figures, so Harken’s rebounding is what made him stand out. He closed out defensive possessions and generated second-chance opportunities on offense with his physicality in the paint, including a couple putbacks of his own. What doesn’t show up in the stat sheet is his interior defense. Harken did a good job walling up and contesting shots, on top of his 11 points and 13 rebounds. 

Noah McIntosh (2024 | Cardinal O'Hara)
The recipient of a few of Burton’s assists, McIntosh was all over the place for the Lions. He was their presence in the middle, grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking two shots, in addition to the layups. McIntosh really turned up in the third quarter after being down two points at half. He had a nice duck in, cashed in a three, made three free throws, and got a steal to flip the game in O’Hara’s favor. He finished with 17 points and a steal plus the 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. 

Isaiah Muhammad (2024 | West Catholic)
The Burrs were locked in an up and down match against Malvern Prep and Muhammad gave them a big boost in his minutes. As the Friars surged in the second quarter, Muhammad’s teammates made a point to get him involved. He rewarded their effort with three treys off-the-catch. His makes opened up the floor and led to opportunities for others. He contributed 2 rebounds and 1 steal as well.

Kevin Rucker Jr. (2024 | Bonner-Prendie)
Rucker realized he had an athletic advantage early and made the conscious decision to spam the easy button by getting down hill. As soon as he found a crease, the 6-4 guard relentlessly attacked the basket for 14 points. On one play in the first, Kyree Womack lobbed the ball up to the rim, while Rucker looped around from the backside to throw down a highlight reel dunk. Rucker’s sense of urgency carried over on defense as he sent one Haverford shot into the stands and pinned another one on the backboard.

Honorable Mention:

Jacob Becker (2025 | Haverford School), Flinn Brooks  (2025 | Germantown Academy), Kenny Gatling (2025 | Bonner-Prendie), Silas Graham (2027 | Haverford School), Tariq Jennings (2024 | West Catholic), Miles Johnson  (2024 | Cardinal O’Hara), Deuce Ketner (2024 | Bonner-Prendie), Saaid Lee (2025 | West Catholic), Pearse McGuinn (2024 | Cardinal O’Hara), Tyler Nolan (2025 | Germantown Academy), Bryce Presley (2026 | Germantown Academy), Marvin Reed (2027 | Malvern Prep), Bryce Rollerson (2025 | Germantown Academy), Connor Scanlon (2024 | Haverford School), Reggie Selden Jr (2024 | Bonner-Prendie), Achilles Tucker-Turner (2024 | Malvern Prep), Ryan Williams (2024 | Malvern Prep),  Kyree Womack (2024 | Bonner-Prendie)