Delcohoops.com

By Matt Gaffney

For decades, the traditional early season non-league matchup between the Reading High Red Knights and the Chester Clippers has served as a December test for both schools and a potential preview of a state playoff matchup later in the season.

Two elite 6A Pennsylvania high school programs with a rich tapestry of championship seasons like Reading and Chester don’t just hope to play in March – they plan to play in March. 

This season isn’t any different. The current incarnation of the Red Knights is a contender once again and for good reason. With a talented roster, they have every expectation to be playing for both another District 3 championship and state title.

Reading came into the game undefeated and after a 71-57 victory over the Clippers, the Red Knights remained perfect, improving their record to 7-0. 

(click on this link for the full story)

By Jared Leveson

Cardinal O’Hara guard Izaiah Pasha gathered the ball after teammate Miles Johnson swatted away a Sankofa lay-up attempt. 

The stalwart guard’s eyes darted up the floor to a streaking Aasim “Flash” Burton who palmed the ball in his right-hand, cocked his arm back as he flew toward the rim, and finished the play with a vicious tomahawk slam. 

The junior, who played at Math, Civics and Sciences last season, made Manor College’s small gymnasium erupt with ‘ayys’ from his teammates at the Difference Makers Showcase. 

“As soon as I got here they started helping me with my bounce,” Burton said. “We got the Vertimax. I started doing it at least like a month ago.” 

Flash’s leaping prowess isn’t the only thing that’s changed for the better since he arrived at  1701 South Sproul Road. 

(click on this link for the full story)

By Matt Smith

Cardinal O’Hara’s Bridget Dawson did not have any stats to speak of and played limited minutes off the bench Tuesday afternoon at the Academy of Notre Dame.

And she couldn’t have been any happier.

It had been a long time since the senior guard last saw action for the Lions. The last time was in late February when O’Hara defeated Archbishop Carroll in the Catholic League final.

Dawson, who transferred to O’Hara prior to her junior year, was ineligible during the Lions’ run to a second straight PIAA Class 5A title. That caused a lot of consternation and disappointment. Before the start of what she hoped would be a drama-free season, Dawson injured her foot and missed the Lions’ first three games. Tuesday was her season debut.

“It felt great being out there, even though I didn’t do very great,” said Dawson, all smiles after O’Hara’s 56-25 victory over the host Irish. “Watching practices hasn’t been the same as being on the court. So being able to come back finally and play again is great.”

(click on this link for the full story and more game scores)

By Joseph Santoliquito

The doubts would creep in, because his base was off. What seems natural comes in time, Springfield (Delco.) 6-foot-2 senior Mike O’Donnell realizes each sports year he makes the transition from football to basketball.

So, as the Cougars struggled to a bitter 0-3 start, O’Donnell struggled along with them, looking to find his hoop legs and his shot once more.

Maybe a portent that his search is over came on Tuesday night, when he led visiting Springfield with a season-high 18 points in the Cougars’ 52-42 victory over Strath Haven in a Central League game.

The Cougars have now won three of their last four, improving to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the Central League, while Strath Haven, led by sophomore Jahi Curtis’ 18 off the bench, fell to 5-2 and 2-2 in the league.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Matthew DeGeorge

Any given night, as a young Garnet Valley core has coalesced, any of four or five players could be the one to shoulder the offensive load.

Tuesday afternoon, two key members of that group hadn’t made a basket by halftime. Yet the Jaguars still entered the break with a lead over Upper Darby.

“It can be anyone’s night at any time,” sophomore Jake Sniras said. “We just like to support each other.”

Tuesday was Sniras’ night, the sophomore scoring 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting in outlasting the Royals, 71-68, in an engaging Central League affair.

Sniras scored 15 points in the first half to keep the Jaguars (5-1, 3-1 Central) afloat, though they didn’t get a made basket from Logan McKee or Max Koehler in the opening 16 minutes. Sniras hit five straight baskets in the second period, then connected on his last five looks from the field, including nine vital points in the fourth to hold off the Royals’ late charge. He drained a triple with less than 10 seconds left in the first quarter, then hit a floater at the horn in the third quarter to make it 46-40 after three.

(click on this link for the full story and more game scores)

By Josh Verlin

Several events run by Scholastic Play-By-Play Classics will take place in the Philadelphia area in the run-up to New Years’ Eve, beginning with the Wilmington PBP Classic, this Wednesday at the Chase Fieldhouse. 

Five teams from the Philadelphia area will meet four Delaware squads and one from Maryland for some interstate hoops, with games starting at 1 PM and running through the evening. Here’s a look at the quintet:

Archbishop Carroll vs. Conrad (Del.) (1:00 PM)
The day begins with the Patriots meeting the Red Wolves, who are off to a 4-0 start, though they haven’t played anybody with the talent level of a Philadelphia Catholic League squad.

(click on this link for the full preview as well as other games in this tournament)