Catholic League roundup: Roman Catholic boys enter quarterfinals as top seed

The Philadelphia Catholic League boy’s postseason began on Wednesday night with Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll both winning their play-in games, finalizing Friday’s quarterfinals. The PCL semifinals are set for the Palestra on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with the title game back there on Feb. 26.

Here’s a look at all four quarterfinal games Friday.

» READ MORE: Penn Charter’s talent corps rise to deliver the school’s first outright Inter-Ac title in 20 years

This has been one of Chris McNesby’s best coaching jobs yet as Roman Catholic is again the top seed. The PCL Coach of the Year has dealt with a roster full of new parts, a star player suffering a midseason injury, and arguably the most talented year in league history. The Cahillites finished with just two league losses, winning the tiebreaker over Neumann Goretti and Archbishop Wood to earn the top spot. They are led by Shareef Jackson, the junior forward and first-team All-PCL selection. Senior point guard Robert Cottrell is the only other key holdover from last year’s run.

Cardinal O’Hara clinched a quarterfinals spot after a come-from-behind win over Devon Prep in the opening round, led by a strong effort from Aasim “Flash” Burton and key plays from reserve Anthony Hobbs. Burton, a 6-foot-2 lead guard bound for Rider, is one of two Division I pledges on O’Hara’s roster. Forward Pearse McGuinn (Stonehill) is the other, developing a nice inside-out game. Senior wing Ethan Schulcz and sophomore guards Jack Quinn and Tygee Clark need to hit shots to give them a chance, while senior wing Miles Johnson is a versatile and athletic defender.

Previous result: Roman Catholic, 57-44 (Jan. 8)

Neumann Gorretti will be without St. Joe’s recruit Khaafiq Myers, who is lost for the season with an injury, but a new backcourt star has emerged in sophomore Torrey Brooks, a first-team All-PCL selection. Larenzo Jerkins, a West Chester recruit and first team All-PCL selection, has carried the Saints at times as well. Amir Williams, a Hofstra recruit, is a lethal shooter and terrific defender who should close to full health after missing time with an injury. Williams and Stephon Ashley-Wright, a sophomore, are the two starters back from last season’s runner-up squad.

Carroll is a young team surging at the right time. The Patriots have won six of their last seven games since losing to Archbishop Wood on Jan. 21, with wins over Father Judge and a 66-51 win over Bonner in Wednesday’s PCL play-in game. Coach Francis Bowe has three sophomores and a pair of freshmen in his starting five. Sophomore Ian Williams can score and play a more traditional point guard role while sophomore Nasir Ralls and freshman Darrell Davis both dangerous in the backcourt. 6-7 freshman Munir Grieg is a special talent and 6-9 sophomore Drew Corrao adding size up front.

Previous result: Neumann-Goretti, 84-57 (Jan. 2)

» READ MORE: Wood’s Jalil Bethea and Ryan’s Thomas Sorber break records; Perk Valley girls prevail in OT

Vikings coach John Mosco goes up against his longtime assistant Chris Roantree for a berth at the Palestra in a crazy atmosphere at Wood. This will be the final PCL home game for the Vikings’ outstanding senior duo of Jalil Bethea (Miami) and Josh Reed (Drexel); Bethea is one of the league’s Co-MVPs, while Reed was another league first-team selection this season. Mosco will need quality outings from his junior guards (Milan Dean, Deuce Maxey, and Mike Green) or sophomore Brady MacAdams to take pressure off Bethea and Reed.

Roantree’s Father Judge squad is similarly guard-heavy, led by senior LaQuan Byrd, junior Kevair Kennedy and sophomore Derrick Morton-Rivera, all earning All-PCL honors. Byrd is a muscular player with a strong outside shot. Kennedy a slippery point guard with great passing ability, while Morton-Rivera is a burgeoning D-I prospect who can score from all three levels. Senior forward Anthony Lilly (6-6) and junior Everett Barnes (6-8) give Father Judge size up front, while freshman guard Nazir Tyler has game beyond his years.

Previous result: Archbishop Wood, 85-69 (Jan. 2)

These two teams opened Catholic League play against each other with St. Joseph’s Prep rallying from 11 down at halftime to secure a tone-setting win. Junior guards Jaron McKie, who recently eclipsed 1,000 career points, and Jordan Ellerbee both landed on the All-PCL first-team with junior Olin Chamberlain and senior Jalen Harper joining them on the all-league lists. All four can win on multiple spots on the floor with senior Catholic University recruit Matt Gorman adding even more floor spacing.

Archbishop Ryan senior forward and Georgetown recruit Thomas Sorber was the co-MVP of the PCL this season. Like most teams, the Hawks don’t really have an answer for him. It will have to take a group effort to try to contain the most dominant big man in the league. Senior guard Darren Williams, a Florida Gulf Coast recruit, adds plenty of perimeter scoring to give the Raiders a terrific 1-2 punch. Senior forward Jaden Murray and senior guards Ryan Everett and Rocco Morabito (Gannon) are all back as well from a team that fell a game short of the Palestra a season ago — just like the Hawks.

Previous result: St. Joseph’s Prep, 57-52 (Jan. 2)

This story was produced as part of a partnership between The Inquirer and City of Basketball Love, a nonprofit news organization that covers high school and college basketball in the Philadelphia area while also helping mentor the next generation of sportswriters. This collaboration will help boost coverage of the city’s vibrant amateur basketball scene, from the high school ranks up through the Big 5 and beyond.