By John Knebels • Posted March 31, 2020

It’s been three weeks since the sound of dribbling reverberated around Catholic school circles. With 11 Catholic League teams still technically awaiting to play in the state quarterfinals because the PIAA has yet to officially cancel the season, it is possible – though increasingly unlikely – that the winter sports could resume and finish.

Among those whose teams were not affected by the uncertainty is St. Joseph’s Prep senior Trevor Wall. The Hawks three-year starting guard officially finished his scholastic career after the Prep lost to Reading High in the first round of the state tourney.

Although he wouldn’t benefit personally, Wall remains hopeful that some miracle will occur and local teams will have an opportunity to complete their mission. But he is also a realist.

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“It’s hard for everyone,” said Wall. “To be so close to a state championship and have to go out like this in the midst of a freaky incident is just super unfortunate.”

Although dozens of Catholic League seniors definitively concluded their high school career with limited fanfare, Wall’s situation was a bit different. Not only did he play in legendary coach Speedy Morris’ last game during a career that spanned 52 years, he also became the 15th Prep player to reach 1,000 career points.

His big moment occurred Feb. 3 against Archbishop Wood. With more fans in the stands than usual since it was Senior Day, Wall reached quadruple digits on a transition layup and tallied a game-high 25 points. Along with being named a second-team All-Catholic for a second straight campaign, Wall concluded the season with 442 points and his career with 1,109, which ranks 11th in Prep lore.

While at Mary Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School in North Wales, Wall was in the stands watching prestigious Prep grads Miles Overton (2013), Steve Vasturia (2013), and Chris Clover (2015) reach the four-figure plateau. Former teammates Kyle Thompson (2018) and Darius Kinnel (2018) also achieved the lofty goal.

“My career went by too fast,” said Wall. “I was fortunate enough to be healthy and play every game from frosh year to senior year. Scoring 1,000 points was a dream of mine.”

So, too, was performing under the tutelage of Morris, the winningest coach in Catholic League history.

“It was really special playing in his final season,” said Wall. “It’s been a blessing to be able to be alongside him in his last seasons, and I am forever grateful for what he has done for my family and I.”

Although the Hawks uncharacteristically struggled (13-12 overall record; ninth place in the Catholic League), Wall said that was less an indictment against the Prep and more an affirmation of a league that featured nightly battles among most competitors regardless of their ultimate finish.

The Prep lost to Archbishop Carroll in the first round of the playoffs and defeated Olney in a District 12 final before the aforementioned loss to Reading in the first round of states.

“The season went pretty well for us considering our size,” said Wall. “It’s tough to compete in a league where so many of these schools have Division I talent. I think we held our own and played hard night in and night out.

“For as long as I’ve been at the Prep, this is the toughest it’s been in regards to overall teams in the league. Teams that three, four years ago weren’t nearly as talented were overlooked. That is a testament to how strong this league is becoming.”

These days, Wall is taking Prep classes online and still deciding which college he will attend, hopefully complemented by a career in hoops.

Meanwhile, like everyone, he continues to traverse a new world where terms like “social distancing” dominate the landscape.

“Right now, it definitely stinks,” said Wall. “I would love to get back to school for the last couple months, but it is what it is. Just trying to adapt and take this whole thing day by day.”

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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.