Junior forward Pearse McGuinn is one of the returning starters for O’Hara this season. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)
By Joseph Santoliquito
The goal is simple: Winning the Philadelphia Catholic League championship at the Palestra. Getting there will be the tough part. Cardinal O’Hara coach Ryan Nemetz, who’s entering his fifth season, has a star player in 6-5 senior guard and Iona commit Izaiah Pasha and a surrounding cast of experienced players that could make that push this season.
Pasha is one of three starters returning with 6-foot senior guard Josh Coulanges and 6-8 junior forward Pearse McGuinn, in addition to Aasim “Flash” Burton, a 6-2 junior guard transfer who was an all-Philadelphia Public League choice playing for Math, Civics and Science.
The Lions finished 14-11 overall last season and 6-7 in the Catholic League, beating Bonner-Prendergast in the PCL playoffs before losing to eventual PIAA Class 6A state champion Roman Catholic in the Catholic League semifinals. The Lions lost to Dallas (54-46) in the second round of the PIAA Class 4A state playoffs.