Class AAAA
Chester, fresh off winning District 1, is favored to bring home its second straight title and eighth overall......
It's hard to see Rondae Jefferson and company experiencing much trouble in the first three rounds. And, in the semifinals, the Clippers should have too much firepower for Harrisburg (especially if Haiisheen McIntyre (knee) can't play) or Central Dauphin, which is powered by 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward Devin Thomas........
In the Eastern part of the draw, our first-round winners are Chester, William Penn, Pocono Mountain West, Central Dauphin East, St. Joseph's Prep, Central Dauphin, Williamsport, and Harrisburg.
In the Western bracket, we have Lower Merion easing past Dover, Wissahickon turning back Easton, and Roman Catholic stopping District 11 runner-up Parkland......
Our second-round picks of games involving Philly squads: Chester over William Penn, Central Dauphin over St. Joe's Prep, Chambersburg over Wissahickon, and, in a thriller, Lower Merion over Roman.......
In the elite eight: Chester over Pocono Mountain West, Central Dauphin over Harrisburg (round 4 between these two), Lower Merion over Chambersburg, and State College over Shaler.....
Final four: Chester ends the high school career of the Wake Forest-bound Thomas, and Gregg Downer's Aces get by the Little Lions.....
Final: In a rematch of last Friday's clash, the Clippers, faring better at the foul line and again crashing the offensive glass, knock off the Aces, 62-58.
Class AAA
Neumann-Goretti, which recently bagged its fourth straight Catholic League title, is primed for the first state boys' three-peat since Kennedy Christian won four in a row in Class A from 1998 to 2001.......
In addition to N-G, we predict that Boys' Latin, Holy Ghost Prep, and Archbishop Carroll will reach the quarterfinals.......
Only the Saints, with too much inside muscle and speed for Holy Ghost, survive this round. Maurice Watson and the Warriors fall to Berks Catholic, and Yosef Yacob and the Patriots bow in overtime to District 7 runner-up Hampton.
An N-G vs. Berks semifinal offers some intrigue. The District 3 champs are powered by 6-9 center Donovan Jack, a Duquesne recruit, and speedy guard Marquis Marshall, son of former NBA player Donyell Marshall.....
We expect N-G to beat Berks by 10 points or so, setting up a championship duel against District 7 titlist New Castle......
Final: The Saints, with Derrick Stewart and John Davis doing considerable damage inside, top the undersized (no player taller than 6-3) and previously undefeated Hurricanes, 59-48.
Class AA
The field has some tough teams, including defending state champ Imhotep Charter, Communications Tech, Vaux, and Del-Val Charter......But we're looking at Pine Grove, a David Archer coached team, to upset Del-Val Charter early as they sneak into the quarter finals after taking down Vaux, ignited by 6-4 5 star junior guard Rysheed Jordan (who shows it's not the size of your school, it's how you play the game that matters).
Comm Tech taking on Pine Grove, In this one, we're siding with the Phoenix..... Just too much fire power for Pine Grove...
In a rematch of last year's Eastern semifinal, it's Comm Tech vs. Imhotep. And Brandon Austin and the Panthers triumph in a close one, 51-47.
Final: This time, Imhotep, despite strong efforts from Austin and Khyree Wooten, falls short of state gold. District 7's Beaver Falls, paced by 6-8 swingman Sheldon Jeter, prevails, 56-51.
Class A
In the Eastern half of the draw, all signs point to another semifinal showdown between Math, Civics & Sciences and Public League champ Constitution.
Last year, en route to claiming the crown, MC&S downed Constitution, 87-74, in South Philly. This time, with high-flying swingman Savon Goodman in the fold, the Generals make it to the Bryce Jordan Center.....
Teams like Greenwood, New Hope, Vision Quest and Kennedy Catholic will make a push but they will be outmanned......
Final: It's Constitution vs. Lincoln Park. And the Generals, after a slow start, outlast Temple recruit Devontae Watson and the Leopards, 71-68, in triple OT
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