5 SEPA State Tourney Games to Watch This Week

[caption id="attachment_1358577" align="alignleft" width="193"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_20211223_201849168_BURST000_COVER_TOP-e1643554771362.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1358577" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_20211223_201849168_BURST000_COVER_TOP-e1643554771362-295x300.jpg" alt="" width="193" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"] (C/O 2024) from Neumann-Goretti.[/caption] <p>Below is a preview of five southeastern Pennsylvania games we are looking forward to watching the week of March 13th, 2022. This week’s slate features five quarterfinal round games from PIAA state tournament action.</p> <p><strong>Wed., Mar 16^th…Devon Prep vs. West Catholic:</strong> This 3A quarterfinal brings together two Philadelphia Catholic League foes for the third time this season. West Catholic won the previous two games. So, if Devon Prep is going to pull off the upset, they will need outstanding performances from their leaders [player_tooltip player_id="1116055" first="Lucas" last="Orchard"] and [player_tooltip player_id="991309" first="Argel" last="Pettit"] IV. Orchard is a high-level wing who can score (15.6 and 34% on threes) as well as defend one through four. Pettit (14 ppg. &amp; 7 rpg.) is a scoring point guard who loves the big stage. He posted 29 points (4 threes) in DP’s second round victory. Keep an eye on Devon’s [player_tooltip player_id="1178095" first="Jacen" last="Holloway"]. He is a wing prospect flying under the radar. West Catholic’s roster is filled with college prospects. The Watson twins (Kaseem &amp; Kareem) are committed Cal State-Bakersfield. [player_tooltip player_id="1121734" first="Zion" last="Stanford"] (6’5”; 14 ppg. &amp; 5 rpg.) is one of the fastest rising wing prospects in the region. [player_tooltip player_id="991381" first="Shemar" last="Wilbanks-Acqui"] (12 ppg.) has emerged as a tremendous scoring option for WC. We cannot forget about WC point guard Adam “Budd” Clark (12 ppg. &amp; 6 apg.). Clark may be the fastest primary ball handler in Philadelphia.</p> <p><strong>Tues., Mar 15^th…Neumann Goretti vs. Bethlehem Catholic: </strong>This PIAA 4A quarterfinal will be contest between two teams that pride themselves on playing intense, disruptive defense. Goretti is the Philly Catholic League as well as District 12 champion. Their number one option is <strong>e</strong>lectric point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1116063" first="Robert" last="Wright III"] who led the PCL in scoring this season at 19.3 ppg. Wright III will get help from his backcourt partner, combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="991316" first="Masud" last="Stewart"] (11.4 ppg.; 40% on threes). On the interior, NG will look to big fella [player_tooltip player_id="1279647" first="Sultan" last="Adewale"] (12.4 ppg.) to get buckets and work the glass. Bethlehem Catholic capped off a tremendous season by capturing the District 11 title. They lean heavily on a trio of seniors headlined by 6’6” wing scorer Ryan Glassmacher. He is a lefty who can hit threes from deep. Glassmacher’s senior running mates include coach-on-the-floor point guard Edixon Gomez, and 3-level scorer Alex Cercado (13 points in 4A 2^nd round win).</p> <p><strong>Tues., Mar 15^th…Chester vs. Shippensburg:</strong> Thanks to their upset of PCL power Archbishop Ryan, Chester’s (District 1-5A champions) magical post season rolls along. On offense the Clippers use a balanced attack that features sophomore shooting guard Kevin Rucker, 6’5” small forward [player_tooltip player_id="1379439" first="Larenzo" last="Jerkins"] and lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="1187903" first="Kyree" last="Womack"]. However, it is on the defensive end where Chester causes significant issues for opponents. The Clippers us a variety of full court presses to create havoc and produce easy baskets. Shippensburg (District 3-5A runner up) has a standout inside / outside duo in 6’7”, 250-pound center [player_tooltip player_id="1406786" first="Anthony" last="Smith"] and combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="991312" first="Jayden" last="Statum"]. Smith excels at playing bully ball in the paint and owns a soft touch around the rim. Statum is an excellent facilitator for Smith, but when defenses collapse on the big man, Statum can spot for a 3-ball or slash to the cup for a catch and lay-in.</p> [caption id="attachment_1150024" align="alignleft" width="161"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Skillings.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1150024" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Skillings-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="161" height="214" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"] (C/O 2022) from Roman Catholic.[/caption] <p><strong>Wed., Mar 16^th…Cheltenham vs. Roman Catholic: </strong>This 6A quarterfinal will feature two of the region’s best regular season teams. Cheltenham (District 1-6A runner up) rang up a 25-0 regular season record and captured the Suburban One League regular season as well as tournament titles. 3-point sharpshooter Rasheem Dearry (16 ppg. is District tourney) paces Cheltenham. Slashing wing Justin Savage and standout freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1379428" first="Josiah" last="Hutson"] provide support. Roman was the PCL regular season champion (12-1 in league play) and their roster is no joke. Superstar [player_tooltip player_id="901951" first="Daniel" last="Skillings"] (19.5 ppg. &amp; 8 rpg.) was the 2021-22 Philadelphia Catholic League POY and is committed to Cincinnati. [player_tooltip player_id="991212" first="Khalil" last="Farmer"] (committed to Hofstra) averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 40% from deep. Plus, Roman has elite junior prospect [player_tooltip player_id="991334" first="Xzayvier" last="Brown"] (14.4 ppg.). Both Farmer and Brown were 1^st Team All-PCL selections this year.</p> <p><strong>Wed., Mar 16^th…North Hills vs. Archbishop Wood: </strong>Hoop heads and college coaches are thrilled about this 6A quarterfinal game that pits North Hills, one of Pittsburgh's top programs, against Archbishop Wood, an annual PCL powerhouse. North Hills features highly rated combo guard Alexander Smith (27 points in 2^nd round win) and 6’7” sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1173989" first="Royce" last="Parham"] (20 pts in 2^nd round win). Smith pushes the North Hills transition game and can drain threes in the half court. Parham is post threat on offense and a shot blocking machine at the other end. Archbishop Wood (17-7) has a dynamic backcourt in 1^st Team All-PCL point guard [player_tooltip player_id="991202" first="Justin" last="Moore"] (15.5 ppg.; Drexel commit) and shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="1189096" first="Jalil" last="Bethea"] (6’3”; 12.6 ppg.). Moore scores off the dribble and Bethea provides lethal three-point shooting (42% on threes). Junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id="1013075" first="Carson" last="Howard"] (9 pts &amp; 8 rebs per game) is a solid prospect who scores at will in the paint. This contest will be played at a breakneck pace as both teams are up-tempo squads.</p>