Delcohoops.com

By Josh Verlin & Andrew Robinson

Chester vs. Imhotep (5A Boys)
Saturday (March 19) — Coatesville High School, 1 PM

Chester and Imhotep have tested each other over the years, the two local powerhouses — the longtime District 1 kings and the upstart Public League squad which became a national-level name — testing each other in a few December and January clashes, each prepared for their own postseason runs. For most of their shared existence, Chester was in the ‘big school’ classifications, Imhotep down at the 2A or 3A level, their PIAA futures never involving each other.

But the Panthers kept moving up classifications as Chester dropped from 6A to 5A, and now the two find themselves meeting for the first time in March. It’s the furthest thing from a tune-up.

“Those are totally different games,” Imhotep coach Andre Noble said, “and yeah, we’re looking forward to it.”

(click on this link for the full story and more PIAA playoff reviews)

By Matt Smith

Cardinal O’Hara players remembered how tough Springfield played them in last year’s PIAA Class 5A tournament semifinal.

The teams met again Wednesday evening at Archbishop Carroll in the state quarterfinals. The Cougars didn’t shy away from the reigning state champions. They gave it everything they had, throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the Lions. For one half, Springfield was within striking distance.

At some point during the second quarter, senior guard Sydni Scott had had enough. So the Marshall-bound guard began to create havoc with her defense and get the Lions moving in transition. Ultimately, the Lions would overwhelm the Cougars and cruise to a 38-22 victory, but District 1’s third-place team never backed down.

O’Hara advances to the semifinals to play District 3 champion Mechanicsburg Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Jason Guarente

For 22 dazzling seconds, Kyree Womack kept dribbling and defenders kept coming at him in waves. One mistake, one bad bounce and Chester’s season could have slipped away. 

That didn’t phase Womack. The sophomore used up precious time with what looked like a Harlem Globetrotters bit. He changed hands. He crossed over. He went through and around double teams. Whatever was needed to keep the clock running and the one-point lead secure.

“I didn’t feel any pressure,” Womack said. “I’m a point guard. I want to win.”

Womack credits a drill his mom assigned him for developing his handle. Shakia Harper sent her son, then 10 or 11, into the backyard with a shopping bag wrapped around the ball. Now that was hard. This, by comparison, was easy.

(click on this link for the full story)

 

By Matt Smith

The word “compete” is most emblematic of the 2021-22 Marple Newtown basketball team.

No matter the strength of their opponent, even if it’s nationally ranked Imhotep Charter, the Tigers always brought their competitive streak to the game.

“That’s the top word on our board every day,” head coach Sean Spratt said. “That’s what we say, if we’re playing a game, just compete and see what happens. That’s who they are.”

Many fans believed that District 1’s fifth-place team had no shot to compete with the District 12 champion Panthers in Tuesday’s PIAA Class 5A quarterfinal at Bensalem High. But Marple proved it belonged playing against one of the top remaining teams in the state.

Imhotep needed a late rally to overcome the Tigers and bolt for home with a 44-39 victory. The Panthers take on District 1 champion Chester in the semifinal round Friday.

(click on this link for the full story)

By Matthew DeGeorge

There wasn’t much to savor from the last two minutes of Tuesday night’s PIAA Class 4A boys basketball quarterfinal game.

Not the missed free throws. Not the five-footers clanked off iron, the traded turnovers, the Archbishop Carroll players – yes, plural – dashing off the court to quickly change blood-stained jerseys.

But with a dozen seconds remaining and Montour forward Isayh Mosley flying in from the weakside on what appeared to be an unabated path to a game-tying basket, Blake Deegan supplied a moment well worth treasuring.

Deegan’s block, his fourth of the night, denied Montour’s last best chance, helping Carroll survive a nervy second half with a 56-54 win at Penns Valley High School.

(click on this link for the full story)