5 State Quarterfinal Games to Watch This Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a preview of five <em>must-see</em> PIAA state tournament Quarterfinal Round games taking place this weekend in southeastern Pennsylvania.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fri., 3/17…Archbishop Ryan (12-2) vs. Radnor (1-1): </strong>This 5A quarterfinal is a highly anticipated rematch. Back in December Radnor (28-0) handed Ryan a 15-point loss. Ryan is playing much better basketball here in the post season. However, Radnor was missing 6'6” shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1812532' first='Jackson' last='Gaffney'] in that regular season win. If Ryan is going to get its revenge, their man in the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] (20 &amp; 11 per; several DI offers) must have a monster game. Sorber will get support from DI perimeter prospects [player_tooltip player_id='1192641' first='Darren' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1202211' first='Michael' last='“Zaire” Paris'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1173991' first='Jaden' last='Murray']. Radnor will continue to rely heavily on its 2023s. Included in that group is 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) as well as the previously mentioned Gaffney. Tipoff is at 7:15PM at Bensalem HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/18…Parkland (11-1) vs. Roman Catholic (12-1): </strong>Even though this 6A state quarterfinal is a matchup of district title winners, Roman (District 12 and PCL champion) is the heavy favorite. For Parkland to pull off a huge upset, junior superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1123885' first='Nick' last='Coval'] (23 ppg.) will have to shoot the lights out. He will get support from talented 2023 guard prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2383229' first='Robbie' last='Ruisch'] and Matt Ray. Roman Catholic will be led by 1^st Team All-PCL guard [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] (27 pts. in 2nd Rd win; St. Joe's commit) and top ranked 2025 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] (11 ppg. &amp; 8 rpg.). Running with those two will be point-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1116024' first='Anthony' last='Finkley'] (9 ppg., 5 rpg. &amp; 4 apg.; St. Joe's commit) and combo guard Robert Cottrell (6 ppg.; 36% from 3). Tip-off is at 4:30PM at Norristown Area HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/18…Coatesville (1-9) vs. Archbishop Wood (12-3): </strong>Coatesville has its work cutout for them in this 6A quarterfinal, but they just might have the talent to pull off the upset. Junior backcourt standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1850287' first='Zuri' last='Harris'] and Dior Kennedy are their primary options. Athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='1835804' first='Jeremiah' last='Marshall'] posted a monster regular season and must contribute for them on Saturday. Wood's perimeter talent needs no introduction. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (multiple DI offers) is one of the most feared scoring threats in the region. Standout junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1483181' first='Josh' last='Reed'] and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382983' first='Deuce' last='Maxey'] are highly ranked prospects as well. Power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1013075' first='Carson' last='Howard'] (East Stroudsburg commit) is a double-double machine who provides some balance for the Wood lineup. Tipoff is at 1:00PM at Norristown Area HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/18…Executive Education (11-1) vs. West Catholic (12-1): </strong>Two extremely talented district title winners square off in this 3A state quarterfinal game. Executive is led by point guard Rylan Muniz and super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1764304' first='Gabe' last='Hornberger']. Hornberger posted a 15/10/10 triple double in Executive's 2^nd Round win. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='1472577' first='Moustapha' last='Sanoh'] (Rider commit) dominates the paint at both ends. WC's roster is loaded, but it all starts with their standout backcourt tandem of point-god Adam “Budd” Clark (18 ppg.) and electric combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1121734' first='Zion' last='Stanford'] (18 ppg.). Both prospects were 1^st Team All-PCL selections. Supporting those two will be wing Marcus Branker, Jr., and Swiss Army knife prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1835829' first='Amyr' last='Walker']. Tipoff is at 1:00PM at Schuylkill Valley HS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/18…Devon Prep (12-3) vs. Trinity (3-1): </strong>On Saturday this 3A state quarterfinal contest will pit defending 3A state champion Devon Prep against Trinity (District 3-3A champs), one of the hottest teams in the region. DP features a trio of highly skilled players in stretch-4 [player_tooltip player_id='1178095' first='Jacen' last='Holloway'] (18 pts. &amp; 5 rebs. per; Army commit), wing [player_tooltip player_id='1116055' first='Lucas' last='Orchard'] (13 ppg. &amp; 5 rpg.) and combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1123922' first='Ty' last='Mishock'] (14ppg.; 39% 3PM). Those three all played major roles for DP in last year's state title run. Trinity will look to lethal scoring guard Owen Schlager to guide them to another win. Schlager is coming off a 40-piece in Trinity's 2^nd Round win. 6'11” senior forward Mike Bednostin and 6'7” combo forward Adelphe Cisse will give DP significant matchup problems on the interior. Tipoff is at 4:30PM at Gov. Mifflin IS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->