See how all the local teams did in PIAA play this weekend
plus Roman defeats Neumann-Goretti 70-50.
By
Gregory Goettner
Imhotep Charter 70 - Bishop Hoban 52
Imhotep Charter used a big fourth quarter surge to defeated undefeated Bishop
Hoban 70-52 at Freedom High School.
Bishop Hoban jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead and ended the first quarter up
13-10. During the first quarter Imhotep had a tough time getting any rhythm as
they forced many passes which lead to turnovers.
Imhotep outscored Hoban 18-15 in the second to tie the game up 28-28. Hanif
Nixon had the hot hand for Imhotep as he scored 10 of his 11 points in the
first half.
Both teams answered basket for basket in the third quarter, but with the game
tied 43-43 with under a minute left in the third, Imhotep scored 4 straight
points to take a 47-43 lead. Imhotep Charter forward Kashief Edwards had
a big quarter as he scored 10 points including a nasty put back dunk. Imhotep
Charter sophomore Will Adams looked real impressive showing a sweet
outside stroke as he hit back to back three pointers in a span of 40 seconds.
The fourth quarter got ugly for Hoban as they were outscored 23-9.
Leading the way for Imhotep Charter was senior Kashief Edwards, Edwards a
Niagara University signee scored 23 points and collected 9 rebounds, senior
Jermaine Washington scored 16 points, sophomore Will Adams scored 14
points including 4 three pointers, and junior Hanif Nixon added 11
points.
Bishop Hoban was led by senior Kyle Flemmings with 16 points and point
guard Ryan Nemetz scored 12 points.
Prep Charter 65 – York Catholic 57
This
was the third time in the last three years that these two AA powerhouses met in
the state tournament.
This
year Prep Charter was able to hold on to 65-57. Leading the way for Prep
Charter was Memphis University signee Marcus Morris with 23 points and 15
rebounds, his twin brother Marcus Morris scored 18 points while sophomore
Jesse Morgan chipped in 16 points.
Reppin’ D12:
District 12 was well represented in the “AA” state tournament as
both Imhotep Charter and Prep Charter will meet for the third time this season
on Wednesday night. The location has not been determined yet.
AA State Semifinals
Wednesday, March 21st,
2007
Prep
Charter vs. Imhotep Charter @ TBA
Aliquippa vs. Jeanette @ Duquesne University
Winners:
Winners of each game will meet up on Saturday, at Penn State
University.
PIAA “AAAA” Quarterfinals
Chester 81 – Wilson 48
The Clippers ran by Wilson
81-48 at Norristown High School on Saturday. The Clippers jumped out to an early
22-7 lead after one quarter of play. Chester used many fast breaks to get out on
the slower Wilson team. After building a 40-16 lead with 1:30 remaining in the
second Wilson scored 6 consecutive points to cut the Clippers lead to 40-22.
Wilson started off the third
quarter on a 4-0 run but that was short lived as the Clippers blew open the game
leading 59-34 after three quarters of play. Highlighting the fourth quarter was
junior Karon Burton who made an AND1 mix tape type pass to Nasir
Robinson in transition as Robinson finished with a one handed dunk to get
the crowd on its feet. The Clippers pulled their starters with the game in hand
at the 4:30 mark.
Chester junior Nasir
Robinson had a big game scoring a career high 33 points, junior Karon
Burton posted a double double scoring 14 points while dishing out 10 dimes,
junior Russell Johnson chipped in 12 points, and senior Micah Covert
scored 7.
Third trip:
This will be Chester’s third consecutive trip to the AAAA semifinals. Last year
the Clippers lost to eventual state champions Lower Merion, and in 2005 the
Clippers defeated Wissahickon and went on to defeat Lower Merion in the state
championship game.
Simon Gratz 61 – Lower
Merion 58
To cap off the afternoon at
Norristown High School, Simon Gratz defeated defending state champion Lower
Merion 61-58 in a thriller.
Gratz opened up the game
leading 15-9 after one quarter of play, but with a few tick tack fouls in the
second quarter Gratz point guard Josh “Scrap” Martin was forced to sit
the bench. Lower Merion then went into to a four corner type offense to isolate
their speedy point guard junior Carl Johnson, Johnson had a few nice
drives to the basket as his team took the lead 28-24 at halftime.
The second half was similar to
a heavy weight battle as both teams answered each other basket for basket,
neither team was able to pull away or gain a big lead as the game was tied 55-55
with a 1:30 remaining. Lower Merion fouled Simon Gratz senior Tommie “TJ”
Sykes, Sykes nailed both free throws to break to tie, then Sykes capped off
the game with a two handed dunk, as his Bulldogs team would hold on to win
61-58. Lower Merion did have a chance to take the lead with: 45 seconds but
sophomore Steven Meehan missed fired on an open three point attempt.
Simon Gratz was led by senior
Tommie “TJ” Sykes who scored 16 points, junior Charles White
scored 13 points, and while being in foul trouble throughout the whole second
half senior Josh “Scrap” Martin scored 11 points.
Lower Merion sophomore Greg
Robbins had a big game scoring a game high 25 points. Robbins at 6’5 maybe
one of the toughest players to guard in the area, he has a nice inside outside
game and has made a strong case as the top sophomore in the state. During the
state playoffs, Robbins averaged 26 points per game. Also for Lower Merion,
junior Carl Johnson scored 15 points. The Aces have a bright future ahead
as they return four key members to this year’s team next season.
District 12 History:
Simon Gratz will be the first team to represent
District 12 in the “AAAA” state semifinal game as they will meet Chester on
Wednesday, March 21st at Norristown High School.
Harrisburg 69 – Plymouth
Whitemarsh 54
The Colonials came within eight
points of the Cougars late in the third quarter as they trailed 45-37 but with
four players fouling out the Colonials fell short 69-54.
Leading Harrisburg was senior
Laron “Manny” Williams with 16 points, Delaware University signee
Alphonso Dawson also scored 16 points.
Plymouth Whitemarsh was led by
Hartford University signee Anthony Minor who scored a game high 18 points
before fouling out with 5 minutes remaining. Senior Lance Wilson chipped
in 12 for the Colonials.
Two in a row:
For the second consecutive year the Colonials were eliminated
by Harrisburg in the state tournament.
AAAA State Semifinals
Wednesday, March 21st,
2007
Chester vs. Simon Gratz @
Norristown High School
Harrisburg vs. Schenley @
Altoona Area High School
Winner:
Winners will advance to the state championship on Saturday at
Penn State University.
American Christian no
more: The Chester/Simon Gratz game will feature to
American Christian transfers; Junior Charles White (Gratz) and junior
Nasir Robinson (Chester)
Chester/Gratz:
This will be the second time this season that these two teams
will meet, earlier this year Chester defeated Simon Gratz 75-61.
Harrisburg/Schenley:
These two powerhouses met in the semifinals last year
as Schenley defeated Harrisburg 66-46.
ACIT Tournament Update:
Congratulations:
Roman Catholic defeated Neumann-Goretti 70-50 in the
ACIT final at Frostburg State University. Leading the way was tournament MVP
Bradley Wanamaker who scored 17 points. Roman Catholic finished the season
28-3 and deserves a spot in the USA Today Top 25 National rankings. Also,
Neumann-Goretti senior Rick Jackson made First Team All-ACIT, and Roman
Catholic sophomore Maalik Wayns made Second Team All-ACIT.
Any questions or comments,
please contact Greg at
greg@metrohoops.com
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