By John Knebels • Posted April 11, 2025

It’s no secret that most of the boys’ basketball in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association have a major issue with the Philadelphia Catholic League.

Year after year, non-PCL programs from classes three through six survive the PIAA playoffs all the way to the finals. Then, just four quarters away from glory, their dreams of a state championship fall short – often in dominant fashion.

In this year’s PIAA tournament that ended on the last weekend of March, Father Judge captured the Class 6A and Devon Prep corralled the 4A—not exactly upsets. In the 3A and 5A, however, because of their average records in the PCL, many doubted that West Catholic and Neumann-Goretti, respectively, would garner gold.

Think again.

After both squads finished 7-6 in the PCL and lost in the playoff quarterfinals, they fully regrouped and ultimately dominated the five-game PIAA state tournament that ended in Hershey, Pa.

About 36 hours following Neumann-Goretti’s 85-71 romp past Hershey High in the Class 5A final March 28, West Catholic seized the Class 3A crown over South Allegheny, 60-51.

“It made it different for sure,” said N-G coach Carl Arrigale, referring to the Saints losing more than three games for the first time in his 27-year stint. “It made me appreciate the journey a little more.”

Starting the PCL 0-3 kind of made Neumann-Goretti an afterthought over the final two months of the regular season. With St. Joseph’s Prep (12-1), Roman Catholic (11-2), Devon Prep (11-2), and Father Judge (10-3) occupying the high end of the PCL standings, the next three PCL teams – Neumann-Goretti, West Catholic, and Bonner-Prendergast – all finished a distant 7-6.

In the state tournament quarterfinals, Neumann-Goretti outlasted Penncrest in overtime, 76-69. It was the kind of a game the Saints always used to win, but this year, they usually struggled to close the deal.

“My staff and the kids never gave up on the season and we kept improving little by little,” said Arrigale. “Somewhere along the way, I think our kids embraced the process and the day-to-day dedication and preparation it takes to be successful. That wasn’t always the case earlier in the season.

“I don’t think it was because they didn’t want to, but they just didn’t know how. To their credit, they kept at it, embraced it, and got rewarded with a state championship. To put it all together was very gratifying.”

In their win over Hershey in the final, six players finished in double digits. Behind junior Stephon Ashley (25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals), senior Keon Long-Mtume (14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals), and junior Alassan N’Diaye (11 points, 8 rebounds), the Saints used a 48-27 second half to secure their 10th state title (tied for first with two other teams for the most in PIAA history), all under the tutelage of Arrigale.

Like their peers from Neumann-Goretti, West Catholic performed similarly. After falling behind, 17-5, after one quarter, the Burrs blitzed South Allegheny in each of the final three quarters buoyed by the trio of sophomore Jayvon Byrd (20 points), sophomore Eric Scott (14 points, 7 assists), and junior Kingston Wheatly (6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks).

“I’m proud of my guys obviously,” said West Catholic coach Miguel Bocachica, whose Burrs also won the 2023 state championship. “They have something they’ll cherish forever. We had good energy and they were up for the challenge.

“Play hard, share the ball, and be coachable. It’s day-to-day. You could be my most talented player or be the last guy on my bench who doesn’t play. When it comes to the day-to-day grind of us at practice and us working out, they all contribute the same.”

According to Wheatley, the PCL teams all root for one another when facing outside competition.

“There’s definitely a strong sense of pride in the PCL,” said Wheatley. “When one team wins, it feels like a victory for the entire league, and it boosts the overall reputation of the group.”

***

Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.