5 PIAA State Tourney Games to Watch this Week

Below is a preview of five must-see PIAA state tournament 1^st Round games taking place this week in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Fri., 3/10…Chichester (1-3) at Pocono Mountain West (11-2): Chichester’s talented senior quartet of point guard Mazen Sayed Mazen Sayed 6'1" | PG Chichester | 2023 State PA , wing Ahkir Keys, forward Vince Wildrick Vince Wildrick 6'3" | SF Chichester | 2023 State PA and combo guard Zaiyin Keys racked up 21 wins this season. If they are going to upset basketball juggernaut Pocono Mountain West in this PIAA 5A 1^st round game, all four prospects will need to be bring their A-games. PMW features Kutztown commit (D3) Julian “Ju Ju” Pagan, sophomore double-double machine Adrian Brito and freshman phenom KJ Coles KJ Coles 6'2" | CG Pocono Mountain West | 2026 State PA . Tipoff is at 7:00PM at Pocono Mountain West.

Fri., 3/10…Cardinal O’Hara (12-3) at Fleetwood (3-2): This PIAA 4A 1st Round game will be an interesting clash of styles. O’Hara is an extremely up-tempo squad that is led by Izaiah Pasha Izaiah Pasha 6'4" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2023 State PA (17 ppg.; Iona commit) and Aasim Burton Aasim Burton 6'3" | CG Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA (13 ppg.; multiple DI offers). We have not seen a backcourt tandem that gets downhill faster than those two. Running with Pasha and Burton is 6’7” shooting guard Pearse McGuinn Pearse McGuinn 6'8" | PF Cardinal O'Hara | 2024 State PA . Fleetwood will look to force more of a half-court game. Their No. 1 option is All-Berks selection Jake Karnish (King College commit; 1,400+ career points). When O’Hara double teams Karnish, Fleetwood will need Hunter Svoboda and Nate Herb to hit open shots. Tipoff is at 7:00PM at Fleetwood HS.

Fri., 3/10…WC Bayard Rustin (1-4) at Archbishop Ryan (12-2): Rustin, a top Ches-Mont League team takes on Philly Catholic League contender Archbishop Ryan in this 5A opening round tilt. Rustin’s lineup features a trio of 2023 prospects who can fill it up. Wing scorer Ian Schlesinger owns an automatic jump shot and averaged 18 ppg. during District 1 tourney action. Supplying additional scoring for Rustin will be combo guard Tyler Giunta and shooting guard Matt Nochumson. Ryan’s lineup is loaded, but everything starts in the middle with big man Thomas Sorber Thomas Sorber 6'9" | C Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State #62 Nation PA (20 & 11 per; several DI Offers). Working off Sorber are DI perimeter prospects Darren Williams Darren Williams 6'4" | SG Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA , Michael “Zaire” Paris Michael “Zaire” Paris 5'11" | CG Archbishop Ryan | 2023 State PA , and Jaden Murray Jaden Murray 6'7" | PF Archbishop Ryan | 2024 State PA . Tipoff is at 6:30PM at Archbishop Ryan

Sat., 3/11…WC Henderson (1-10) at Parkland (11-1): The PIAA scheduling executives gave us a gift with this 6A 1^st Round matchup that should be an entertaining shootout. “Hendy’s” lineup boasts Kmari Smith Kmari Smith 6'2" | CG West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA and Connor Fleet Connor Fleet 6'0" | CG West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA , two guards that can make shots from anywhere on the floor. Junior wing prospect Nyle Ralph-Beyer Nyle Ralph-Beyer 6'4" | SG West Chester Henderson | 2024 State PA is a legitimate scoring threat too. Parkland will look to superstar Nick Coval Nick Coval 6'1" | CG Parkland | 2024 State PA (23 ppg.) to carry them to victory. Coval has logo range on his jumper and a quick trigger. That combo makes him extraordinarily difficult to defend. 2023 guard prospect Robbie Ruischcan knock down shots as well. Tipoff is at 3:00PM at Parkland HS.

Sat., 3/11…Central York (3-5) at Spring Ford (1-2): It will be Central York’s size and physicality vs. Spring Ford’s speed and perimeter shooting in this 6A opener. CY will start 6’7” wing Greg Guidinger Greg Guidinger 6'6" | SF Central York | 2024 State PA as well as 6’9” power forward Ben Rill Ben Rill 6'8" | PF Central York | 2025 State PA . Both are elite prospects who hold DI offers. CY’s athletic and long backcourt is comprised of 6’2” lead guard Ben Natal Ben Natal 6'2" | PG Central York | 2025 State PA and 6’1” shooting guard Ethan Dodson. By now you are familiar with Spring Ford’s (District 1-6A runner up; PAC champions) potent lineup. The outstanding backcourt ofshooting guard Jacob Nguyen Jacob Nguyen 6'3" | SG Spring Ford | 2025 State PA (16 ppg.; 61 3PM) and combo guard EJ Campbell EJ Campbell 6'0" | CG Spring Ford | 2024 State PA (12.5 ppg.) spearhead SF’s up-tempo, 3-point launching offense. Point guard Caleb Little directs the half court sets with composure. 6’4” sophomore Tommy Kelly is an underrated prospect. Tipoff is at 3:00PM at Spring Ford.