5 PIAA State Tourney Games to Watch This Week

Below is a preview of five must-see PIAA state tournament 2nd Round games taking place this week in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Tue., 3/14…West Philly vs. Radnor: In West Philly’s 5A opener against West Scranton, Elijah Hester Elijah Hester 5'11" | PG West Philadelphia | 2023 State PA (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 Jackson Hicke Jackson Hicke 6'5" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA (20 ppg.; Central League POY), wing Charlie Thornton Charlie Thornton 6'4" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA (11 ppg.), point guard Danny Rosenblum Danny Rosenblum 6'0" | PG Radnor | 2023 State PA (Rochester commit) and 6’6” shooting guard Jackson Gaffney Jackson Gaffney 6'6" | SG Radnor | 2023 State PA will look to keep their magical season rolling along. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Bensalem HS.

Tue., 3/14…Cardinal O’Hara vs. Allentown Central Catholic: 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 Izaiah Pasha Izaiah Pasha 6'4" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (17 ppg.; Iona commit). Running with Pasha is a pair of DI prospects in combo guard Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (13 ppg.) and 6’7” shooting guard Pearse McGuinn Pearse McGuinn 6'8" | PF Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (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 Jahrel Vigo Jahrel Vigo 6'1" | CG Allentown Central Catholic | 2025 State PA (12 ppg.); long distance sniper Lucas Mushrush (11.5 ppg.; 70+ 3PM). and combo guard Nic Pulieri (10.5 ppg.). Expect Anthony Jones and NaSean Davis NaSean Davis 6'0" | CG Allentown Central Catholic | 2024 State PA contribute for ACC too. Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Reading HS.

Wed., 3/16…Lower Merion vs. Roman Catholic: 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 Sam Brown Sam Brown 6'3" | CG Lower Merion | 2023 State PA (18 ppg.; Penn commit), floor general Justin Poles Justin Poles 6'1" | CG Lower Merion | 2023 State PA , shooting guard Sam Wright Sam Wright 6'2" | SG Lower Merion | 2023 State PA and combo guard John Mobley. PCL and District 12 champion RC will counter with superstar guard Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA (16 ppg.; St. Joe’s commit) and top ranked 2025 power forward Shareef Jackson Shareef Jackson 6'7" | PF Roman Catholic | 2025 State PA (11 ppg. & 8 rpg.). Those two will get major support from point-forward Anthony Finkley Anthony Finkley 6'6" | SF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA (9 ppg., 5 rpg. & 4 apg.; St. Joe’s commit) and wing Erik Oliver-Bush Erik Oliver-Bush 6'4" | SG Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA (8 ppg. & 5 rpg.). Tip-off is at 7:00PM at Archbishop Ryan.

Wed., 3/16…Upper Darby vs. Reading: 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 Niymire Brown Niymire Brown 6'4" | SF Upper Darby | 2023 State PA , point guard Nadir Myers Nadir Myers 6'2" | PG Upper Darby | 2023 State PA (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 Ruben Rodriguez Ruben Rodriguez 6'2" | PG Reading | 2023 State PA (2x Berks POY; Rider commit) and high-level shooting guard Aris Rodriguez Aris Rodriguez 6'6" | SG Reading | 2023 State PA (14 ppg.; 50+ 3PM; 1^st Team All-Berks). But flying under the radar is senior combo guard Myles Grey Myles Grey 5'10" | CG Reading | 2024 PA 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.

Wed., 3/16…Trinity vs. Match, Civics & Sciences: 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 — Nayeem Johnson Nayeem Johnson 6'2" | SG Math, Civics And Sciences | 2023 State PA (27 points in 3A opener), Chauncey Presley Chauncey Presley 6'1" | SG Math, Civics and Sciences | 2023 State PA and Isaiah Griffin Isaiah Griffin 6'5" | SF Math, Civics & Sciences | 2023 State PA . Tip-off is at 7:30PM at Garden Spot HS.