Sports
Softball, lacrosse teams compete in state tourneys
By John Knebels Talk about making some major noise in your first concert. In its first-ever school year, Royersford’s Pope John Paul II High School managed to reach the state tournament and then win a game. That – and not their subsequent quarterfinal loss to undefeated Valley View in the second round – is what […]
Catholic League players vie for Carpenter Cup
Annual Baseball ClassicJohn KnebelsSports Columnist The 26th annual Carpenter Cup Classic is under way. The 16-team tournament, which commenced June 13 and will conclude at Citizens Bank Park June 20-21, is comprised of high school all-stars from the tri-state area. The Catholic League roster suggests that it will take quite a squad to overtake the […]
Resilient Saints snag baseball title
By John KnebelsSports Columnist Borrowing a theme from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Neumann-Goretti High School’ s baseball team was at one point dead as a doornail. Dead. Finished. Kaput. So how is it that Neumann-Goretti was able to capture its second Catholic League baseball title in three years by edging Monsignor Bonner, 3-1, in […]
Prep savors lacrosse championship win
John KnebelsSports Columnist Patience being a virtue, St. Joseph’s Prep lacrosse fans probably have earned some major purgatory points over the past several years. The goal? Win a Catholic League championship. The method? Find a way to defeat perennial champion and uber-rival juggernaut La Salle High School. The Prep’s faith was rewarded on a hot […]
Crusaders nab softball title from Bambies
John KnebelsSports Columnist When Lansdale Catholic joined the Catholic League three years ago, one of the concerns was how long it would take for some of their athletic teams to compete with the more established programs. As for softball? Not a problem. Playing against three-time defending champion St. Hubert’s May 25 at Arcadia University, the […]
‘Disappointing’ finish for Prep coxswain
Stotesbury Cup RegattaJohn KnebelsSports Columnist The disappointment in his voice was evident. After St. Joseph’s Preparatory School finished third this weekend in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta’s varsity eight race on the Schuylkill River, a few days of reflection did little to assuage the pit in Lou Lombardi’s stomach. When nothing else but finishing first is […]
St. Basil’s notches come-from-behind win
Catholic Academies LeagueJohn KnebelsSports Columnist With three innings in the book and only four to go, her team was facing a five-run deficit. While not insurmountable, a dubious quest beckoned. Panic? No. Concern? Plenty. “It’s hard not be worried,” said St. Basil’s Academy junior pitcher Sam Gibson. “I mean, you have confidence in your team. […]
Sisters rule the diamond at Ryan
Catholic League Girls softball John KnebelsSports Columnist Good athletes face many complicated decisions as they approach the end of their high school career. Among them is whether or not they will continue playing a sport in college. Since many have been involved with their favorite game since they were very young, simply giving up their […]
Runners enjoy camaraderie of track team
John KnebelsSports Columnist Sometimes it’s not about winning a gold medal. Sometimes it’s not about winning anything at all. Sometimes it’s just about competing and enjoying the moment. When the 117th annual Penn Relays took place last week at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field, many of the fastest runners and strongest athletes on the […]
Carroll softball team snags noteworthy win
By John KnebelsSports Columnist It had to happen sometime. And when it did, they celebrated accordingly. Minutes after Monday afternoon’s 8-1 victory over Conwell-Egan, the players and coaches from Archbishop Carroll reacted the way one would expect after beating a team for the first time in school history. “They have a great program,” Carroll coach […]