PIAA State Finals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a SEPA focused preview of four <em>must-see</em> PIAA state tournament championship games taking place in Hershey, Pennsylvania tonight through Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thu., 3/23/23…Lincoln Park (7-1) vs. Neumann-Goretti (12-1): </strong>The 3A state championship game will feature defending champion Neumann-Goretti and their all-world floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] (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 [player_tooltip player_id='1279647' first='Sultan' last='Adewale']. 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 [player_tooltip player_id='1123910' first='Khaafiq' last='Myers'] and “3 &amp; D” prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1823683' first='Bruce' last='Smith']. The Lincoln Park (29-1; WPIAL 4A champions) roster is loaded too. Star players [player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings'], [player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='991351' first='Deandre' last='Moye'], [player_tooltip player_id='1188013' first='Dontay' last='Green'] and Dorian McGhee are all respected college prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fri., 3/24…Exeter (3-1) vs. Imhotep Charter (12-1):</strong> 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 [player_tooltip player_id='1850267' first='Reece' last='Garvin'] 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 [player_tooltip player_id='991341' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] (Kentucky commit; No. 1 ranked 2023 in the nation); [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] (No. 2 ranked 2024 in PA) and [player_tooltip player_id='991339' first='Rahmir' last='Barno'] (FGCU commit). Running with that trio are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1186010' first='Baasil' last='Saunders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1835830' first='Yahmir' last='Satterfield'] (both top uncommitted 2023s) as well as highly ranked 2024s [player_tooltip player_id='1173985' first='Jeremiah' last='White'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1477721' first='Ma'Kye' last='Taylor'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/24…Reading (3-1) vs. Roman Catholic (12-1): </strong>Meanwhile, the 6A state title game will be more like a highly anticipated prize fight between two top contenders. Reading (Berks Conf &amp; District 3 champions) pushes a chaotic style of play. Extraordinarily talented scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1378453' first='Ruben' last='Rodriguez'] (2x Berks POY; Rider commit) and high-level shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1279628' first='Aris' last='Rodriguez'] (14 ppg.; 50+ 3PM; 1^st Team All-Berks) push Reading's tempo. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1382975' first='Myles' last='Grey'] (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 &amp; District 12 champions) brings a ridiculous lineup to the floor as well. 1^st Team All-PCL guard [player_tooltip player_id='991334' first='Xzayvier' last='Brown'] (29 pts. in 6A semis 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.) are Roman's primary options. Athletic and savvy point-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1116024' first='Anthony' last='Finkley'] (9 ppg., 5 rpg. &amp; 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sat., 3/24…Deer Lakes (7-1) vs. West Catholic (12-1): </strong>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 [player_tooltip player_id='1121734' first='Zion' last='Stanford'] (18 ppg.). Both DI prospects were 1^st 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, [player_tooltip player_id='1835829' first='Amyr' last='Walker']. For West Catholic also keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1188625' first='Micah' last='Waters'] who can splash jumpers all night. Deer Lakes will counter with 6'5” standout senior Nate Litrun. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1187944' first='Billy' last='Schaeffer'] and Wayne Love have also contributed heavily during states.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->