5 PIAA State Tourney Games to Watch This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a preview of five <em>must-see</em> PIAA state tournament 2nd Round games taking place this week in southeastern Pennsylvania.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tue., 3/14…West Philly vs. Radnor: </strong>In West Philly's 5A opener against West Scranton, [player_tooltip player_id='991392' first='Elijah' last='Hester'] (28 pts.) spearheaded a tremendous 4^th quarter comeback to secure a win for the Speedboys. If they are going to upset Radnor (27-0) in the 2^nd Round, this time Hester, highflyer Makel Butts and the rest of the Speedboys will need to play well for all four quarters. For Radnor, Princeton commit [player_tooltip player_id='1119137' first='Jackson' last='Hicke'] (20 ppg.; Central League POY), wing [player_tooltip player_id='1212678' first='Charlie' last='Thornton'] (11 ppg.), point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1200819' first='Danny' last='Rosenblum'] (Rochester commit) and 6'6” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1812532' first='Jackson' last='Gaffney'] will look to keep their magical season rolling along. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Bensalem HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tue., 3/14…Cardinal O'Hara vs. Allentown Central Catholic: </strong>Allentown Central captured the District 11-4A title and then won their 1^st Round 4A state tourney game by 30 points.Their reward -- now they get to play PCL contender Cardinal O'Hara, an extremely up-tempo squad that is led by superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1281811' first='Izaiah' last='Pasha'] (17 ppg.; Iona commit). Running with Pasha is a pair of DI prospects in combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1187956' first='Aasim' last='Burton'] (13 ppg.) and 6'7” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1190330' first='Pearse' last='McGuinn'] (12 ppg.; 36% on 3PA). ACC has a puncher's chance in this 4A quarterfinal because of its trio of outstanding perimeter prospects – bouncy wing [player_tooltip player_id='1486760' first='Jahrel' last='Vigo'] (12 ppg.); long distance sniper Lucas Mushrush (11.5 ppg.; 70+ 3PM). and combo guard Nic Pulieri (10.5 ppg.). Expect Anthony Jones and [player_tooltip player_id='1848630' first='NaSean' last='Davis'] contribute for ACC too. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Reading HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wed., 3/16…Lower Merion vs. Roman Catholic:</strong> This 6A quarterfinal contest will be an intriguing matchup of contrasting styles. LM will look to play a patient half-court offense filled with spacing, multiple passes and frequent cuts. Roman will attempt to push the pace by using their tenacious defense to produce easy fast break buckets. LM's lineup features phenomenal scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='991391' first='Sam' last='Brown'] (18 ppg.; Penn commit), floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1382972' first='Justin' last='Poles'], shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1472576' first='Sam' last='Wright'] and combo guard John Mobley. PCL and District 12 champion RC will counter with superstar guard [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] (16 ppg.; St. Joe's commit) and top ranked 2025 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] (11 ppg. &amp; 8 rpg.). Those two will get major support from point-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1116024' first='Anthony' last='Finkley'] (9 ppg., 5 rpg. &amp; 4 apg.; St. Joe's commit) and wing [player_tooltip player_id='1400497' first='Erik' last='Oliver-Bush'] (8 ppg. &amp; 5 rpg.). Tip-off is at 7:00PM at Archbishop Ryan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wed., 3/16…Upper Darby vs. Reading: </strong>If Upper Darby is going to pull off a major 6A upset,theywill need to play at an elite level for four quarters. The good news they have a trio of super talented prospects in power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1202039' first='Niymire' last='Brown'], point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382970' first='Nadir' last='Myers'] (1s Team All-Central League; 20 points in PIAA 6A opener) and shooting guard Yassir Joyner who can do just that. Meanwhile, Reading's roster is absolutely loaded. By now you know about elite scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1378453' first='Ruben' last='Rodriguez'] (2x Berks POY; Rider commit) and high-level shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1279628' first='Aris' last='Rodriguez'] (14 ppg.; 50+ 3PM; 1^st Team All-Berks). But flying under the radar is senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382975' first='Myles' last='Grey'] who dropped 30 points (8 threes) in Reading's 6A opening round victory. Running with those three is outstanding junior guard Yadiel Cruz. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Coatesville HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wed., 3/16…Trinity vs. Match, Civics &amp; Sciences: </strong>Trinity (District 3-3A champions) will rely heavily on their dynamic guard / forward combo of sophomore Owen Schlager and 6'11” senior Mike Bednostin. Schlager has used his watery jumper to post multiple 30-pieces this season. Bedonstin is a large and physical prospect with an endless motor who dominates the paint at both ends. For Trinity also keep an eye on 6'7” combo forward Adelphe Cisse. The MCS Mighty Elephants have quietly assembled an impressive season behind their battle tested group of talented seniors -- [player_tooltip player_id='1186043' first='Nayeem' last='Johnson'] (27 points in 3A opener), [player_tooltip player_id='1185954' first='Chauncey' last='Presley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1812668' first='Isaiah' last='Griffin']. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Garden Spot HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->