For the third straight year, the Pope John Paul II Golden Panthers’ basketball team faced the Bishop Shanahan Eagles in the District 1 Class 4A title game on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Harriton High School.
Pushing the pace down the court proved to be a winning strategy for Pope John Paul II as it upset Shanahan, 82-74.
“We definitely won the rebounding battle in the first half just pushing the pace and making them play our game,” said Pope John Paul II’s Ayden Wise.
The top-seeded Golden Panthers entered the game trying to recapture the district trophy after falling to the No. 2 seed Eagles last year and reprising their title win over Shanahan in 2024.
“They won it last year,” Pope John Paul II head coach Earl Wise said of Shanahan. “They’re accustomed to winning. We knew they were going to make a run.”
After falling behind to PJPII, 60-35, after three quarters, Shanahan made a furious late run.
The Eagles’ Anthony Aquila hit a basket and a foul shot with 40 seconds remaining in regulation and the championship on the line. However, Pope John Paul II just kept on doing its job. Jude Schuberth, Ayden Wise and Lucas Pekofsky all combined for an 8-0 sprint in the closing seconds to seal the victory and take home the championship trophy.
“Thank God we had a great three quarters of points to give us a cushion and we needed every bit of it, but Shanahan’s a great team,” said Coach Wise. “We made enough at the end to get it done. I’m proud of our guys.”
With the district title under their belts, the Golden Panthers (21-4) secured their place in the PIAA Class 4A tournament.
Leading the way for Pope John Paul II was Pekofsky with 18 points on the afternoon. Teammates scoring in double digits included Jason Green (17), Jack Kessler (14) and Ayden Wise (12).
“We just tried to stay composed,” said Kessler. “We stay composed. We can all handle the ball. We trust each other. It got a little close but we came out with it.”
Shanahan’s Andrew Corcoran led all scorers with 30 points. Teammates Danny Keenan (15) and Liam O’Sullivan (14) also contributed.
“You have to give them credit,” Corcoran said of the Golden Panthers. “They definitely wanted it, wanted some revenge. I’m just proud of how our whole team faced adversity (and) came back. I’m proud of our whole group’s effort. Not a single one of us didn’t believe that we could come back. I’m proud of our attitude and effort.”
The result ended the Eagles’ season with a final record of 18-8.
“We just all have an incredible mentality, each and every one of us,” said Corcoran. “We believe in us and have full confidence and don’t doubt us at all. That unity, that brotherhood, that belief will get you a long way.”
Pope John Paul II is slated to commence its state playoff action on Friday, March 6 at a time and site to be determined.
“It’s definitely great,” Ayden Wise said about the prospect of competing in the state playoffs. “My sophomore year was the last time we were in states. Just ending on that legacy my senior year going into the states, it feels great.”
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