6A / 3A State Semis: 5 Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday night, the PIAA 6A and 3A state tournament semifinal contests provided four up-tempo and thrilling hoops games to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first 6A semifinal saw Reading defeat Spring Ford 55-32. In the other 6A semi, Roman Catholic (2022-23 PCL Champion) edged Philly Catholic League rival Archbishop Wood, 66-56.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one 3A semifinal, #1 seed West Catholic snuck by Trinity, 52-49. Then in the second 3A semifinal, Deer Lakes punched their ticket to the 3A title game with a 61-56 victory over Penn Cambria.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that basic information out of the way, below are five southeastern Pennsylvania related takeaways from last night's PIAA 6A / 3A state semifinal tilts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] is an elite two-way player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know Brown (1^st Team All-PCL; St. Joe's commit) is an elite floor general who possesses elusive handles and can score at all three levels. For instance, Tuesday night Brown poured in 29 points, including 11 straight to start the 4th quarter, leading Roman to their 6A semis victory. Still, the most impressive element of Brown's performance last night came on the defensive end. During the 4^th quarter, Brown put the clamps on Archbishop Wood superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] (21 ppg.; PCL Player of the Year). Brown gave Bethea zero space to operate during the final stanza. He ran Bethea of the arc and when Bethea put the ball on the deck, Brown was physical as hell with him. To our recollection, Bethea did not score a field goal in the 4^th quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1281774' first='EJ' last='Campbell'] is a Baller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have been writing about [player_tooltip player_id='1281774' first='EJ' last='Campbell'] (1^st Team All-PAC) for several months now as the high-level combo guard has assembled a spectacular junior season. Campbell's play in the District 1-6A tourney as well as state playoffs has grabbed the attention of college coaches and scouts. Last night during the 6A semis that trend continued as Campbell was the only player for Spring Ford who appeared <strong><em>not</em></strong> to be overwhelmed by the big stage and Reading's notoriously frenetic style of play. Campbell was in attack mode all game and got to the rim consistently for lay-ins through contact. He also tossed in a 3-ball and shot 6-9 from the free throw line. Campbell will be a 2024 to watch during the spring/summer grassroots circuits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. If [player_tooltip player_id='1121734' first='Zion' last='Stanford'] Reopens His Recruiting, He will be Very Popular</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanford posted a tremendous season for West Catholic (18 pts. &amp; 6.6 rebs. per game) and his efforts were rewarded with a 1^st Team All-PCL selection. He is currently committed to Temple. However, at the start of the 3A state tournament, Temple Head Coach Aaron McKie was relieved of his duties. If Stanford reopens his recruitment, his performances from the state tournament will serve as a fantastic audition tape. Look at Stanford's state tourney box scores: 16 points (2 triples), 6 rebounds and 4 steals in 1^st Round; 19 points, 8 boards and 6 dimes in 2^nd Round; 21 points (1 three) and 4 steals in quarterfinals; and finally on Tuesday night, 13 points and 4 steals as West Catholic advanced to the 3A title game. As a bonus, he is plus defensive player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Robert Cottrell of Roman Catholic is a 2024 to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'10 junior combo guard will be a player to watch during the 6A championship game and then into the spring grassroots circuit. Cottrell is super crafty off the dribble, so he gets to the tin at will. When he gets into the paint, Cottrell draws fouls. That is fine because he is automatic at the free throw line. Cottrell can also knock down threes. Last night in Roman's 6A semifinal win, Cottrell contributed 15 points (1 triple).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Get Used to hearing the Name Owen Schlager</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trinity's multi-skilled backcourt prospect used the District 3 tourney and then a deep run at states as his personal breakout month. Schlager (2025) can score from anywhere on the floor, plays with a great deal of composure and is an on-court leader. He registered 19 points in Trinity's District 3 title contest victory. Then during the 3A state tourney, Schlager posted 20 points per contest. Included in this stretch of attention-grabbing play was his 40 points (4 threes) and 7 dimes performance against Philadelphia Public League contender Math Civics &amp; Sciences. Unfortunately, last night Schlager's 3A state tourney run came to an end as West Catholic eliminated Trinity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->