Catholic League Playoffs: Unsung Heros

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the best, most talent-rich league in the state, it only makes sense that some guys relatively slip under the radar or get less attention than they should. So, from what turned out to be an incredible post season, here are FIVE unsung heroes:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1848533' first='Ryan' last='Everett'] | 6'0 G 2024 Archbishop Ryan&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders' sixth man played like a starter in the Palestra. Everett made three from deep against Neumann-Goretti in the semis, each tilting the momentum in his team's favor for the come-from-behind victory. He came alive versus Roman in the title game too. In the third quarter, Everett snuck in for an offensive rebound and putback. Then, on the following possession, he did it again, only this time he found Sorber on a no-look pass for a dunk. Finally, with under 10 seconds left in overtime, Sorber drove baseline and swung it to him in the corner, where Everett hit what was almost the game-winning three.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1454254' first='Luca' last='Foster'] | 6'5 W 2026 Archbishop Carroll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Foster embraces getting in the mud for his young team, they relied on him more than ever in their two playoff games. Edging out Bonner by just two points, the sophomore wing led them with 19 points (3-4 3FG. 4-4 FT) and 8 boards. But that was just a warmup for their quarterfinals game versus Neumann-Goretti. Foster had a monster game down in South Philly, scoring 30 points from all over the floor (4-6 3FG), on top of 10 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1406768' first='Sammy' last='Jackson'] | 6'4 W 2026 Roman Catholic&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger Jackson did whatever the Cahilites needed him to. When they faced O'Hara in the second round, he stretched the floor by shooting 3-of-4 from three. In the semifinals against Judge, he scored below the arc and facilitated, totalling 9 points and 5 assists. Then, with Shareef getting into foul trouble in the championship game, Sammy had to play the 5 and step up defensively. He did just that, racking up a steal and 3 blocks, in addition to 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2525533' first='Rocco' last='Westfield'] | 6'0 G 2026 Father Judge&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally a reserve who averages under 15 minutes per game, Westfield was a bright spot in the Crusaders' semifinals loss to Roman. Westfield popped a first quarter three, but Roman went on big runs in the second and third quarters to take a 14-point lead going into the fourth. That's when the sophomore shooter was called upon to step up. He dished out two assists and cashed three treys off-the-catch. Each one chipped away at the deficit, getting them within 5 points of the Cahilites.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deshawn Yates | 5'9 G 2026 Neumann-Goretti&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thrust into the starting lineup late in the season, Yates proved he was ready all along. In the shootout with Carroll in the quarterfinals, he scored a career high 18 points by getting into the lane and making tough buckets. Then against Ryan in the semis, he made big plays on defense. His ball-pressure against Ryan's guards slowed them down offensively and generated transition points for the Saints. They couldn't pull out the win, but Yates finished with 10 points and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Notable Performers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1576719' first='Stephon' last='Ashley-Wright'] | 2026 Neumann-Goretti</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1123891' first='Laquan' last='Byrd'] | 2024 Father Judge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kabe Goss | 2024 Roman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1187959' first='Larenzo' last='Jerkins'] | 2024 Neumann-Goretti&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1188620' first='Shareef' last='Jackson'] | 2025 Roman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1197608' first='Kevair' last='Kennedy'] | 2025 Father Judge </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1213553' first='Thomas' last='Sorber'] | 2024 Archbishop Ryan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1192641' first='Darren' last='Williams'] | 2024 Archbishop Ryan&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->