City of Basketball Love

By CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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We’re into the PIAA quarterfinals, only two rounds away from the championship games at Hershey’s GIANT Center (March 27-29). 

The slate of Saturday’s quarterfinals with CoBL-area squads includes several teams that are making their first-ever state quarterfinal appearances, while others are at a point they’ve reached almost every year in recent memory. With nine of the 10 games located within a 90-minute drive of Philadelphia, there’s plenty of regional options for local hoops fans to pick if they want to watch some great games this weekend. 

Here’s a look at all 10 of Saturday’s games involving local teams:

Girls 1A

Delco Christian (1-2) vs. Lourdes Regional (4-1)
Hamburg HS, 12:00 PM

Delco Christian might not be royals yet, but the Knights will be a step closer if they can get past Lourdes on Saturday. (That’s a bad music joke. You’re welcome.). The Red Raiders (22-6), who made it to the state championship game in 2023 and last won the title in 1994, beat Veritas Academy (51-36) and then Bethlehem Christian (65-23) to advance, which ran their win streak to seven games overall. Delco Christian (25-4), the Bicentennial Athletic League champs, is in unchartered territory, head coach Jake Godino with a young group that’s overcome a season-ending injury to senior Addie Smith to beat New Covenant Christian (67-42) and Northern Bedford (43-31) and make the state quarterfinals.

The Knights have an exciting young backcourt to build around in freshman Ella Stinger, a 5-8 guard and the Bicentennial Athletic League’s MVP, and classmate Mary O’Donnell, a 5-2 point guard. Losing Smith, a 5-10 wing and a sharpshooter, is a big blow, but they’re getting production from senior Hallie Kees, a Villanova track and field commit, plus sophomore forwards Anna Latchford and Audrey Bechtel. Lourdes coach Mike Klembara has his own high-scoring freshman in 5-5 Kylla Sandri, who tied for the team lead with 16 points in the second-round win over Bethlehem Christian, 6-1 sophomore Hannah Lokitis matching her effort; it’s a young group, with only one senior on the roster along with six sophomores and five freshmen.

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Boys 3A

West Catholic (12-1) vs. Riverside (2-1)
Liberty HS, 2:30 PM

The Burrs are young but battle-tested coming out of the Catholic League, making their third appearance in the state quarterfinals in the last four years, including a title run in 2023. Head coach Miguel Bocachica has a great senior guard to lead the way in Saaid Lee, with a Division I recruit in 6-7 junior forward Kingston Wheatley; it’s his sophomores that form a good bulk of the roster, including guards Jahvon Byrd, Eric Scott and Rahmir Speaks, all confident youngsters who can get a bucket whenever needed. So far they’ve looked good in beating Antietam (79-35) and Warrior Run (51-38), with their biggest state challenge coming up.

Riverside, the District 2 champs, beat Southern Columbia (77-54) and then Overbrook (66-44) to make it into the quarterfinals a year after a second-round elimination at the hands of eventual champ Devon Prep. Freshman guard Nico Antoniacci is a name to know in the Northeast part of the state, the bouncy 6-2 guard an excellent outside shooter and playmaker with a bright future ahead of him; he had 28 points against Overbrook. Sophomore wing Bradyden Rose had 10 points and 11 rebounds in that one, with older brother Gerry Rose scoring 14, and senior Connor McNally adding nine. 

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Girls 4A

Neumann-Goretti (12-2) vs. Scranton Prep (2-1)
Liberty HS, 1:00 PM

The Catholic League champs, Neumann-Goretti is in the quarterfinals for the first time in three years, getting past Wyomissing after losing to them in the state playoffs each of the last two years. N-G has a tough one ahead in Scranton Prep, which comes in as one of the top programs in Northeast PA regardless of class. The Classics (25-1) have won seven of the last eight District 2 4A championships, and only lost one contributor from last year’s state runner-up squad. They have two all-state players and 1,000-point scorers in seniors Jenna Hillebrand and Maya Jenkins, while 6-1 freshman Chloe Mamera has been an impressive newcomer who solved their only problem from a year ago. Keep an eye on senior wing Belle Dennebaum, an undersized post whose hustle alone causes issues for opponents. 

The Saints (23-3) won’t be intimidated, not with Andrea Peterson at the helm and Carryn Easley and Amya Scott leading the way. The pair of senior guards and Division I commits — Easley to Fordham, Scott to Delaware State — have been Peterson’s backcourt for four years, two talented scorers, ball-handlers, passers and defenders who can do just about everything on the court. Sophomore Reginna Baker, a 5-9 wing, has been a Swiss army knife for a mostly-undersized group apart from 6-3 freshman Crissette King. Junior wings Zion Coston and Kamora Berry are two more veterans for Peterson who bring defense and shot-making to the perimeter.

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Audenried Charter (12-1) vs. Northern Lebanon (3-3)
Whitehall HS, 3:00 PM

The Rockets’ quest for new heights continues with a game against Northern Lebanon, as Audenried moves within two wins of its first-ever state title game appearance, and three away from its first title. Penn State standout Shayla Scott is the no-doubt name to know, the Philadelphia Public League’s all-time leading scorer with nearly 2,600 points to her name. But she’s got plenty of help, which was clear in a second-round win over Valley View in which the Rockets (22-7) had nine girls in the scoring column led by 13 points from impressive 6-3 sophomore Nasiaah Russell plus 12 each from seniors Senaya Parker and Heaven Reese; senior guard Reynah Rattliff is another quality scoring option for head coach Kevin Slaughter. 

The Vikings, who beat Villa Joseph Marie in the second round, have a roster loaded with upperclassmen — six seniors and six juniors, with nary an underclassman in sight. Senior guard Olivia Shutter, junior Kasey Weimer and junior Saoirse Phillips all scored in double figures against Villa Joe, while Shutter and Weimer led the way in the opening-round win over Central Columbia. 

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Lansdale Catholic (12-3) vs. Oakland Catholic (7-1)
West Branch HS, 2:30 PM

The PIAA reached deep in its bag of sites, picking a locale beyond even State College to pit east vs west for this matchup. Lansdale Catholic is in the quarterfinals for the third time in four years, the last two ending with the Crusaders playing in Hershey. The Crusaders are coming off a dominant win over Forest Hills last round led by a double-double from JMU recruit Grace McDonough, the 6-foot-2 forward the focal point on both ends for Tom Lonergan’s group. Seniors Sanyiah Littlejohn (George Mason) and Nadia Yemola (Kutztown) will be playing in their 11th state playoff game together, both well-seasoned for this time of year. Sophomores Ali Kaltenbacher and Allie Esposito round out the starting lineup, LC relying on what’s been a reliably stout defense all season to make another state run.

Oakland Catholic certainly has the pieces to matchup. Senior London Creach, a Robert Morris recruit, has looked strong since returning from a knee injury late in the season and she’s an all-state caliber player at her best. Inside, 6-foot-3 junior Josie Fontana gives the Eagles the size to match LC’s and she’s drawing Division I interest of her own. Harry Schechter’s squad also gets strong contributions from senior Alayla Bivens and sophomore Madison Pullen and has a solid supporting cast. The Eagles are pretty sound defensively too, so this one could very well be a low-scoring duel that comes down to the final few possessions.

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Girls 5A

Strath Haven (1-5) vs. Crestwood (2-1)
Easton MS, 1:00 PM

It’s been quite the freshman year for Maddie and Kenzie Fanning. The Strath Haven freshmen twins, a pair of 5-foot-tall bundles of energy, started their high school careers with a state championship with the Panthers’ soccer team in the fall, and now are a big reason the Haven girls are deeper in the states than they’ve been in quite some time, having broken a 33-year PIAA playoff drought to begin with. It took a crazy comeback to beat Radnor for the first time in four tries in the second round, Strath Haven (15-13) closing out on a 23-5 run with Maddie Fanning going for 22 points. Senior wing Olivia Voshell, a TCNJ grad, is a strong, athletic 5-9 wing, with seniors Maryella Gill and Kate Fox rounding out Brandi Johnson’s lineup.

Crestwood (23-4) has beaten Manheim Central (51-39) and Freire Charter (52-45) to make its first state tournament appearance in seven years a quality one, the Comets using their size to full advantage throughout the season. The District 2 champions have a towering front line, the trio of Jackie Gallagher, Kate Gallagher and Charlie Hiller all standing about 6-foot tall and not many teams have matched their interior prowess this year. Jordan Andrews and Kendall Petrosky run the show in the backcourt while Cameron Vieney is the team’s top reserve, known more for her defense but definitely capable of putting down a few shots if needed for coach Mary Mushock-Namey.

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Archbishop Wood (12-1) vs. Bethlehem Catholic (11-1)
Geigle Complex, 4:30 PM

The Vikings are in the quarterfinals for a 12th straight season, seeking their fifth straight title and trying to set a new girls’ state record for consecutive PIAA playoff wins with a 22-game streak dating back to the halted 2019-20 tournament. This will be Wood’s first opponent from outside District 1 in this state playoff, the Vikings getting a rematch with a Hawks team they beat in last year’s semifinal round to get back to Hershey. Wood coach Mike McDonald has an extremely deep group, 11 players seeing the court on Wednesday, but things start with Ryan Carter and Emily Knouse. Carter, the standout sophomore, is averaging 20.5 ppg through two state games while Knouse is always a threat from deep and is a strong rebounder and passer. Junior Sophia Topakas and sophomores Emma Seckinger and Makayla Finnegan round out the starting lineup, but plenty of Vikings will shuffle in and out as the game goes on with Emma Yogis and Sophia McDonald usually the first subs coming in off the bench.

For the Hawks, one of District 11’s top programs, this is the third straight year they’re in the state quarterfinals. Coach Allen Alleyne has a group that’s a little bit on the younger side but certainly one brimming with talent starting with junior do-it-all wing Aliyah Brame, a Bryant recruit. A pair of freshmen, Tess Tryanski in the backcourt and Palin Coleman in the frontcourt, have given Becahi a significant spark throughout the season. Seniors Davina Jones and Mekhyla Britt are the team’s veteran voices and Jones is a pretty solid outside shooter as well while Britt mixes it up inside. Junior Leah Ault and sophomore Mikaila Brooks also give Bethlehem Catholic consistent impact on both sides of the court.

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Boys 6A

Father Judge (12-2) vs. Hazleton Area (2-2)
Easton MS, 2:30 PM

Father Judge’s first trip to the PIAA tournament is going well thus far, the Crusaders (21-7) beating two quality District 1 teams in Garnet Valley (71-52) and Spring-Ford (55-41) to set up a meeting with Hazleton, the District 2 runner-ups. Sophomore Dylan Stish is one to watch for Hazleton, the sharpshooting guard enjoying a breakthrough season, while 6-4 Luis Guzman gives them an interior presence; junior wing Yohansel Moran, senior guard Gavin Perkowski, senior wing Angel Saladin, senior forward Ryan Staffin and others round out the rotation. The Cougars (15-12) have taken some lumps this season, especially in the non-league, losing to the likes of Central York, Cumberland Valley, Methacton and more. But Pat Brogan’s program has started winning at the right time, beating Northampton (60-41) and then Conestoga (60-54) to advance to face what will be its toughest opponent of the season. 

The Catholic League champions for the first time in 27 years, Judge has only lost twice in its last 14 games, including to Imhotep in the District 12 championship game, but Chris Roantree otherwise has a group playing as well as it can, with a couple Division I prospects leading the way. Point guard Kevair Kennedy (Merrimack) and center Everett Barnes (Loyola Md.) are both committed, with juniors Derrick Morton-Rivera and Rocco Westfield both holding D-I offers; throw in 6-5 junior Max Moshinski and it’s a group with size, skill, length, shooting, athleticism, you name it. 

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Imhotep Charter (12-1) vs. Parkland (11-1)
Geigle Complex, 6:00 PM

Imhotep’s faced a couple scares in its first two state games in the 6A bracket, the Panthers (25-5) beating Central Bucks East 62-46 in the opening round in a game they trailed in the third quarter, then breaking away from Chambersburg for a 51-34 win in the second round. Now ‘Tep’s got another tough one in a young-but-quality Parkland side, which beat Downingtown West (60-43) and then Scranton (52-50) in its first two rounds, as the Panthers go for their 11th state title but first in the state’s big-school classification. The Trojans (19-9) are coming off a PIAA 6A championship game appearance, but graduated quite a senior class from that group, led by Nick Coval (Davidson) and Jayden Thomas (DeSales).

With that group gone, Parkland coach Eddie Ohlson has turned to some impressive sophomores and juniors to carry the torch. Sophomore wing Blake Nassry — who hit the game-winner against Scranton — plus junior wing Jude Ruisch and others give Parkland a group with solid overall size and length on the perimeter and inside, with five shooters on the floor at most times. The guard battle should be fun with a trio of juniors in Parkland’s Nassim Adams and  TJ Lawrence against Imhotep’s RJ Smith, the Public League Player of the Year and a Division I offeree. He’s the tablesetter for a Panthers squad that also features senior wings Carnell Henderson,  junior wing Latief Lorenzano-White (6-5), sophomore wing Kevin Benson III (6-3) and freshman guard Ian Smith (5-10). 

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Roman Catholic (12-3) vs. Coatesville (1-3)
Norristown HS, 1:00 PM

We’re expecting a big crowd at Norristown for this powerhouse battle between two teams that won their second-round games — both at Reading’s Geigle Complex — in very different ways on Wednesday night. Roman Catholic put the whole state on notice with a 96-46 takedown of defending champs Central York, Chris McNesby getting a complete four-quarter performance from his Cahillites with a quartet of standout performances. Coatesville then went to the wire with Cumberland Valley, Amon Fowlkes playing hero by capping off a 20-point night with a deep 3-pointer with two seconds left to deliver a 59-56 win. The last time these programs met was in the first round of the state tournament in 2020, Roman winning 81-75 behind 17 points from Xzayvier Brown.

Fowlkes is one of two seniors in the Coatesville backcourt along with Nasir Williams, another confident and athletic combo guard. Freshman Colton Hiller, a 6-4 wing and the most impressive 2028 in the area, plays the ‘3,’ while senior Armon Shockley (6-4) and junior Larry Brown (6-7) started in the frontcourt against CV; head coach John Allen has also utilized 6-7 junior Jonas Chester and 6-6 sophomore Max Hiller, Colton’s brother and a high-major football target, in the frontcourt rotation, with senior Chris Allegra (5-10) spelling the guards. Roman’s core group is 6-7 senior Shareef Jackson (Lafayette) and his brother, high-major target and 6-7 junior Sammy Jackson, 6-2 sophomore Tyler Sutton and 6-3 senior Sebastian Edwards, all of whom were outstanding against Central York; 6-6 senior CJ Miller, 5-10 junior Semaj Robinson and 5-8 freshman Dwayne Ruffin Jr. round out the main part of the rotation. We’ll be shocked if the intensity level of this game isn’t cranked all the way up to 11 — expect a battle for every rebound and loose ball, with open shots tough to come by on both sides.