City of Basketball Love

Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich)
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As a tradition, Roman Catholic students sat quietly during the first quarter of the Cahillites’ Friday night game against St. Joe’s Prep waiting for their team to hit 10 points.

But even if the play that sent Roman into double figures had happened earlier in the game, it’s doubtful they would have been able to contain their astonishment.

Off a missed 3-pointer, Nazeer Bostick perfectly timed a jump, grabbed the rebound with one hand above the rim and slammed it back through the basket for what is likely the leading candidate for dunk of the season in the Philadelphia Catholic League.

“They didn’t box me out, so I was able to come free from the opposite side,” Bostick said. “I caught the ball right at the rim and just put it back in. …I’ve had a lot of putbacks, but not that many in a game. It was probably my best one.”

He and teammate Lamar Stevens accounted for a few more dunks in the first half, most of which were assisted by point guard Tony Carr, and the trio of Penn State-bound seniors combined for 48 points in Roman’s 52-42 win over St. Joe’s Prep. It’s the sixth straight league win for the Cahillites, who have rediscovered their footing in the PCL after two early losses. Meanwhile, the Hawks fell to 6-4 in league play and will be battling for a playoff spot in the next 10 days.

Carr led the way with 20 points – nine of which came from the foul line – and he also had nine assists and five rebounds. It was the second consecutive 20-point game for Carr (he scored 25 against Father Judge), and he was also responsible for helping Stevens and Bostick get a lot of their open looks.

Stevens added 16 points, including a few deep jump shots that found nothing but net, and Bostick had a loud 12 points – 10 of which came before halftime.

“If they’re on, I’m not going to complain,” Roman coach Chris McNesby said about the trio of future Nittany Lions. “They’re that good. And the way they did it: Naz going to the glass, Lamar was out in transition and it was nice to see him hit a few perimeter shots and Tony was just being Tony, getting to the rim. You get those three clicking, it can be good enough.”

In addition to the offense from those three, the Cahillites defense was also a big part of the victory. In each of the first three quarters, St. Joe’s Prep was held to single-digit scoring marks, and the Hawks had just 15 points at halftime. Roman forced a bevy of turnovers, which the team often turned into points.

The Cahillites have held their opponents to an average of 46.8 points per game during their winning streak, and it’s been a focus for the team with the playoffs on the horizon.

“This time of the year, we have to start buying in defensively,” McNesby said. “Everyone will say defense will win you anything down the stretch. So we can see our confidence and chemistry on the defensive end coming together. Our guys are locked in a little bit more, and we’re sensing a better chemistry on that end. Guys are communicating and it’s been good.”

Added Bostick: “Our defense is coming along. That’s what we have to do to win another Catholic League championship. Early on in the season, it wasn’t going quite as well. But we’ve had a couple of talks since then, and we know if we want to get back to that championship game, we have to defend.”

Kyle Thompson hit four 3-pointers and led the Hawks with 16 points, while big man Pete Gayhardt had eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Friday marked the fourth consecutive loss for St. Joe’s Prep, but the team is still very much alive in the race for the fourth and final Catholic League playoff spot. With Neumann-Goretti (10-0), Archbishop Carroll (9-1) and Roman (8-2) holding the top three marks, the fight for the fourth spot is a crowded one. The Hawks are one of four 6-4 teams in the PCL, joined by Conwell-Egan, La Salle and Archbihop Ryan, while Archbishop Wood still has hope at 5-5.