Which SEPA Teams Can Win 4A State Title?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of five teams from southeastern Pennsylvania that we believe have a legitimate chance at winning this year's PIAA 4A state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have also noted a potential “roadblock” in the bracket for each of these 4A teams that could dash their title dreams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allentown Central Catholic (11-1): </strong>The District 11-4A champion's lineup boasts two of the premier 2025 prospects in the region -- [player_tooltip player_id='1486760' first='Jahrel' last='Vigo'] and Lucas Mushrush. Vigo (12 ppg.) is an athletic and bouncy wing who will finish with authority. Mushrush (11.5 ppg.) is a 3-point sniper who has drained 73 triples (and counting) this year. Senior Nico Pulieri (10.5 ppg) is a combo guard prospect with length who causes matchup issues for opponents. For ACC keep an eye on Anthony Jones and NaSean Davis too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential 2^nd Round game vs. Cardinal O'Hara; Final Four contest vs. Neumann-Goretti</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bethlehem Catholic (11-2): </strong>Elusive sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1812662' first='Alex' last='Cercado'] (19 ppg. &amp; 41 3s; Alvernia University commit) pushed BC to a District 11-4A runner up finish. Despite that disappointment, Cercado and the rest of the Golden Hawks are primed for a 4A state title run. Cercado will get significant support from a pair of talented freshmen. 2026 forward sensation [player_tooltip player_id='1608249' first='Josh' last='Benka-Coker'] (10 ppg.) is a long athlete who can score at the rim with either hand. 6'5” freshman wing phenom Marcus Drysdale (8 ppg.) excels in transition and can sprinkle in the occasional 3-ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential 2^nd Round game vs. Neumann-Goretti</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Berks Catholic (3-1): </strong>Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1379441' first='Josiah' last='Jordan'] is a dynamic athlete (All-State in football; Wilkes Univ. football commit) who can score at all three levels. Jordan led the Saints (22-4) at 14 points per night. Perimeter shooters Ryan Koch (60 3PM) and Jack Miller (40 3PM) space the floor so Jordan can get to rack off the dribble. Those three create a drive and kick offense that is difficult to guard. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1588135' first='Kingston' last='McKoy'] is Swiss Army knife prospect who is a plus player at both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential Quarterfinal contest with District 7 champion Lincoln Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cardinal O'Hara (12-3):</strong> O'Hara rang up an 8-5 record in PCL play and then defeated a solid Audenreid squad by 23 points in their District 12-4A state tourney seeding game. In short, this team is a legitimate 4A title contender. O'Hara's extreme up-tempo pace of play is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1281811' first='Izaiah' last='Pasha'] (17 ppg. &amp; 7 rpg.; Iona commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='1187956' first='Aasim' last='Burton'] (13 ppg.; multiple DI offers). This dynamic backcourt pushes the rock at a breakneck pace for buckets or to distribute to open teammates. In the half-court, shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='933049' first='Josh' last='Coulanges'] (50 3PM) opens the court for dribble drives by Pasha and Burton. Meanwhile 6'7” stretch-4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1190330' first='Pearse' last='McGuinn'] (12 ppg.) can destroy opponents at all 3 levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roadblock to a ‘Chip</strong>: potential 2^nd Round game vs. D11 champion Allentown Central Catholic; Final Four contest vs. Neumann-Goretti</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neumann-Goretti (12-1): </strong>NG is the heavy favorite to repeat as PIAA 4A champions. The main reason they are overwhelming favorites is because of their unstoppable guard / power forward combo that features all-world point man [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] (22 ppg.; Baylor commit) and 6'8” forward [player_tooltip player_id='1279647' first='Sultan' last='Adewale'] (15pp. &amp; 10 rpg.). Both Wright and Adewale were 1^st Team All-PCL selections for 2022-23. Adewale remains the top uncommitted 2023 big man in Pennsylvania. Running with those two superstars are DI level guards [player_tooltip player_id='1123910' first='Khaafiq' last='Myers'] (10 ppg.; 2nd Team All-PCL) and [player_tooltip player_id='1123886' first='Amir' last='Williams'] (9 ppg. 45 3PM). Be sure to watch senior [player_tooltip player_id='1823683' first='Bruce' last='Smith'] as well. His 3-point shooting was a huge plus for Neumann-Goretti in the PCL playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->