Championships at the Palestra rarely belong to a single night. More often, they are the result of habits formed quietly, long before the lights come on and the crowd settles in.
On Sunday afternoon, Feb. 22, Father Judge leaned on those habits to edge Neumann-Goretti, 55-52, and claim its second straight Philadelphia Catholic League championship—the first repeat title in program history.
For the seniors who lived through last season’s breakthrough, which culminated in a PIAA Class 6A state championship, the moment carried both joy and perspective.
“Winning it last year was special,” senior guard Rocco Westfield said. “But winning it this year was even more meaningful. We went through a lot early in the season, and everything we dealt with led us back here.”
The journey to the championship demanded adjustment. With departures from last year’s roster, players were asked to expand their roles and trust one another in unfamiliar ways.
Westfield handled the ball more. Others became primary rebounders or facilitators. When early foul trouble tested Judge’s depth in the championship game, younger players answered without panic.
Father Judge senior Derrick Morton-Rivera and Coach Chris Roantree share an embrace after securing the Crusaders’ second-straight PCL championship Feb. 22. (Photo by John Knebels)
Throughout the process, Judge coach Chris Roantree, a 1999 alum and a member of the Crusaders’ 1998 title squad, trusted his troops.
“Our experience helped us,” Westfield said. “We stayed together because we knew it was win or go home.”
That steadiness reflects the school’s broader culture, players said. Many come from Catholic parishes across Northeast Philadelphia, including Christ the King, St. Matthew’s, Maternity B.V.M., St. Christopher’s and even St. Albert the Great across the border in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County. They describe a basketball program that emphasizes respect, accountability, and care for teammates.
“It really builds a brotherhood,” Westfield said. “That’s how we treat each other.”
Senior forward Max Moshinski, who finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, said the team’s preparation focused less on emotion and more on discipline.
“Rebounding was a big emphasis for us,” he said. “Limiting possessions and creating second chances—that’s how you win close games.”
Moshinski added that the team’s shared pregame routines helped center players amid the intensity of championship night.
Father Judge teammates admire their prizes after capturing the program’s second consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League boys’ basketball championship with a win over Neumann-Goretti Feb. 22 at the Palestra in Philadelphia. (Phot by John Knebels)
“Before big games when your mind is all over the place, praying definitely helps bring you back down and calms your nerves,” he said. “Taking a moment to pray helps calm you down and focus. Westfield reflected on the values instilled at Judge.
“I would say Father Judge takes a lot of pride in our Catholic identity,” Westfield said. “We take a lot of pride in being Catholics. We pray before every class and we have Masses on a regular basis. I feel it carries through on how we care about each other.
“We all treat each other with respect even if you are not Catholic. But Father Judge really builds a brotherhood, and it starts with how we treat each other.”
Moshinski echoed that sentiment, tying faith directly to performance.
“We pray before every class and we have Masses very often,” he said. “We also pray every single game before we run out on the court. And I would say it is definitely something special you might not see at other schools, as well as the Catholic backgrounds of the players that make up the team.
“Having faith in your prayers just removes the worry and replaces it with confidence and excitement.”
Six-seed Judge’s path to the title was anything but simple, requiring wins over three-seed Roman Catholic, top-seed Archbishop Wood, and four-seed Neumann-Goretti. Each game demanded patience and trust—qualities reinforced by having already walked the championship road once before.
Even during a brief third-quarter stretch when Neumann-Goretti made a run, closing a 30-21 deficit to 30-28, Judge responded without urgency or fracture, answering with defense, rebounding, and timely execution.
At the final horn, the celebration was familiar but no less meaningful. Nets were cut. Teammates embraced. Another chapter was added to a growing legacy.
But what separated this title from the last, players said, was not a single moment. It was the collective belief that the work, the routines, and the faith they carried with them would hold when tested.
They did. And at the Palestra, that was enough to make history again.
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Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.
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