Joe Fustine of Cathedral Prep, center, reaches for the ball on March 13 during the PIAA Class AAA boys basketball quarterfinal game against Mars Area High School at Sharon High School. Christian Schmitt, left, and Ryan Giallonardo, both of Mars Area High School, look on, at back. SARAH CROSBY/SARAH CROSBY
By Tom Reisenweber
Cathedral Prep traditionally has used the Burger King Classic to get used to playing outstanding competition and prepare for the playoffs.
The Ramblers will take on a familiar team from the Burger King Classic tonight with a trip to Hershey on the line.
Prep (22-6) will head to Bald Eagle High School to play Philadelphia powerhouse Archbishop Carroll (22-6) at 7:30 p.m. in the PIAA Class AAA boys basketball semifinals. The winner will play another Philadelphia team on Friday at 8 p.m. for the state championship in Hershey.
“I think we have to play really well against them with their size and athleticism,” said Prep junior Carter Cross, who played against Archbishop Carroll last season. “It’s not impossible to beat them. Every team is like us. They are high school kids like us and we just have to go out and rebound and execute.”
Archbishop Carroll won the 2014 Burger King Classic with a 47-35 win over Prep in the semifinals before routing Chicago power St. Rita 64-38.