PIAA State Finals Preview
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Below is a SEPA focused preview of four must-see PIAA state tournament championship games taking place in Hershey, Pennsylvania tonight through Saturday. Thu., 3/23/23…Lincoln Park (7-1) vs. Neumann-Goretti (12-1): The 3A state championship game will feature defending champion Neumann-Goretti and…
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Continue ReadingBelow is a SEPA focused preview of four must-see PIAA state tournament championship games taking place in Hershey, Pennsylvania tonight through Saturday.
Thu., 3/23/23…Lincoln Park (7-1) vs. Neumann-Goretti (12-1): The 3A state championship game will feature defending champion Neumann-Goretti and their all-world floor general Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL (PA Gatorade POY) taking on an upset minded Deer Lakes squad. In addition to Wright III (Baylor commit), NG’s lineup also boats 6’8” forward Sultan Adewale Sultan Adewale 6'8" | SF Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State #205 Nation PA . Adewale’s astonishing physical tools as well as his basketball skills make him the top uncommitted 2023 in Pennsylvania. If NG is going to repeat as 3A champions, the Saints will also need major contributions from combo-guard Khaafiq Myers Khaafiq Myers 5'10" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA and “3 & D” prospect Bruce Smith Bruce Smith 6'2" | SF Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State PA . The Lincoln Park (29-1; WPIAL 4A champions) roster is loaded too. Star players Brandin Cummings Brandin Cummings 6'3" | SG Lincoln Park | 2024 State #132 Nation PA , Meleek Thomas Meleek Thomas 6'4" | CG Lincoln Park | 2025 State #5 Nation PA , Deandre Moye Deandre Moye 6'1" | CG Lincoln Park | 2023 State PA , Dontay Green Dontay Green 6'2" | SF Lincoln Park | 2024 State PA and Dorian McGhee are all respected college prospects.
Fri., 3/24…Exeter (3-1) vs. Imhotep Charter (12-1): Pennsylvania’s 5A state title game has a hint of the storyline from the movie “Hoosiers” around it. In this contest Exeter will play the role of Gene Hackman’s Hickory squad. Senior big man Anthony Caccese (Delaware football commit) and senior wing Zyion Paschall (10.5 ppg.) will lead Exeter’s upset bid. In addition to being a football standout, Caccese (13 ppg.) was an All-Berks basketball selection. On the perimeter Exeter features the red-hot backcourt of Reece Garvin Reece Garvin 6'3" | PG Exeter | 2024 State PA and Kevin Saenz. Garvin is averaging 15 ppg. during state tourney action. Obviously, in this “Hoosiers” analogy Imhotep (defending 5A champion; #1 ranked team in state) is cast as the powerhouse Muncie team. Their lineup is paced by the elite guard play of Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA (Kentucky commit; No. 1 ranked 2023 in the nation); Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'0" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA (No. 2 ranked 2024 in PA) and Rahmir Barno Rahmir Barno 5'10" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #223 Nation PA (FGCU commit). Running with that trio are seniors Baasil Saunders Baasil Saunders 6'4" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA and Yahmir Satterfield Yahmir Satterfield 6'3" | SG Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA (both top uncommitted 2023s) as well as highly ranked 2024s Jeremiah White Jeremiah White 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA and Ma’Kye Taylor Ma’Kye Taylor 6'7" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA .
Sat., 3/24…Reading (3-1) vs. Roman Catholic (12-1): Meanwhile, the 6A state title game will be more like a highly anticipated prize fight between two top contenders. Reading (Berks Conf & District 3 champions) pushes a chaotic style of play. Extraordinarily talented 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; 1st Team All-Berks) push Reading’s tempo. Combo guard Myles Grey Myles Grey 5'10" | CG Reading | 2024 PA (30 points on 8 3PM in 6A opening round) spaces the floor. Backing those seniors is outstanding junior Swiss Army knife prospect Yadiel Cruz. As you know by now, Roman Catholic (PCL & District 12 champions) brings a ridiculous lineup to the floor as well. 1st Team All-PCL guard Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA (29 pts. in 6A semis win; St. Joe’s commit) and top ranked 2025 power forward Shareef Jackson Shareef Jackson 6'9" | C Roman Catholic | 2025 State #249 Nation PA (11 ppg. & 8 rpg.) are Roman’s primary options. Athletic and savvy point-forward Anthony Finkley Anthony Finkley 6'6" | SF Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA (9 ppg., 5 rpg. & 4 apg.; St. Joe’s commit) is a unique third option. Finally, under the radar combo guard Robert Cottrell (15 pts. in 6A semis) has been extremely clutch during states.
Sat., 3/24…Deer Lakes (7-1) vs. West Catholic (12-1): West Catholic is one the brink of capturing the first boys’ basketball state championship in the school’s history. Leading their quest is the dynamic backcourt of point-god Adam “Budd” Clark (18 ppg.) and combo guard Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA (18 ppg.). Both DI prospects were 1st Team All-PCL selections. Slasher wing Marcus Branker, Jr. is a highly rated 2023 who remains uncommitted. Plus, WC features the top “glue guy” in the region, Amyr Walker Amyr Walker 6'1" | SG West Catholic | 2023 State PA . For West Catholic also keep an eye on Micah Waters Micah Waters 6'1" | CG West Catholic | 2025 State PA who can splash jumpers all night. Deer Lakes will counter with 6’5” standout senior Nate Litrun. Juniors Billy Schaeffer Billy Schaeffer 6'2" | SG Deer Lakes | 2024 State PA and Wayne Love have also contributed heavily during states.