By Terry Toohey
Having to play a game following only one day of preparation can be difficult for any team. Having to play a game against the same team with only one day of preparation can be even more difficult.
For the Bonner & Prendergast Friars, they played West Catholic for the second time in a three-day span. By defeating the Burrs on Sunday in their regular-season finale, the Friars forced a tie with West in the final Philadelphia Catholic League standings. Bonner had three players score in double figures and finished off a strong fourth quarter en route to a 54-49 win to claim the 10th seed in the PCL playoffs.
West Catholic (4-17) trailed by one at halftime before going on a 13-2 run to claim a six-point lead heading into the final quarter. Led by senior John Herndon, who scored 14 points in the second half, the Burrs looked to pull away but the Friars (12-11) stuck to their game plan.
Having changed to a fullcourt press to begin the second half, Bonner’s pressure began to wear down West Catholic. Senior Keith Washington accounted for 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals while fellow senior Christian Lane scored a team-high 15 points to go along with two steals. The Friars held the Burrs scoreless for the first two minutes and put up 24 points in that final quarter.
Washington said the pressure he and his teammates applied seemed to rattle Herndon, who finished with a game-high 19 points.
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