By Scott Huff
Welcome to the Show.
Norristown (20-5) and Pennsbury (22-3) will be one of the featured games Tuesday night in a PIAA District One semifinal game to be played at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University.
The Eagles and Falcons {7:30 p.m. tip} will follow the Conestoga (24-2) contest {6:00 p.m. start} with Penn Wood (22-3) as all four teams battle for at shot at the district championship.
“There is no question that this is the big stage,” said Norristown coach Michael Evans. “It took a total team effort to get to this point. You don’t beat Chester – at Chester – without everyone stepping up.
“Tom Smith and Jarrell Gardner came up big in the big game,” added Evans. “We don’t have the size that some other teams do, and both Tom and Jarrell have to battle each and every game.”
Norristown – the #8 seed - severed a 38-consecutive game winning streak in district play by the top-seeded Clippers with the 61-59 victory last Friday. Chester had beaten 24 consecutive Suburban One League teams during that district playoff run.
Chester was the defending PIAA District One champion and is the defending PIAA state champ.
Eagle senior Khalif Wyatt was spectacular in the crucial win over Chester. The gifted 6-foot, 3-inch guard came up huge with a 31-point scoring effort.
“We wanted Khalif to attack the basket,” said Evans. “We didn’t want him to settle for the three-point basket, but go to the hole and get some mid-range jumpers.”
“I wanted to try and get to the foul line,” said Wyatt who scored on just a pair of three-point field goals. “We wanted to get them into foul trouble.”
And there was a ‘foul’ situation late in the game. A Chester player fouled Wyatt and in his displeasure with the call kicked over the water cooler onto the floor. He was hit with a technical foul and then preceded to take off his jersey. A second technical foul resulted in his expulsion from the game.
Wyatt stepped to the free throw line – made four out of six – and pretty much iced the game.
“That was a little crazy,” admitted Wyatt.
“We now realize that we can play with anyone if we can beat Chester, at Chester,” added Wyatt. “They beat us earlier in the year, and it was great to be able to pay them back.”
Norristown also has an account due with Pennsbury. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 61-54 in overtime at the Prime Time Shootout played at Villanova University.
“We went into that game well prepared, but we lost the game,” said Evans. “We will go into this game prepared, but we want a different outcome this time.”
“Both teams can take a good look at that tape and learn some things,” said Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla. “Plus we have seen four or five other Norristown tapes and have a great idea of what they like to do in certain situations.
“Norristown has a great tradition, and right now they are playing better than anyone in the playoffs,” continued Sciola. “They have great experience on the floor in Wyatt, (Sheldon) Mayer, and (James) Ramsey. Remember, those kids started and played for a team that was in the state final last year.”
Pennsbury advanced to the semifinal contest after defeating Central Bucks South, 56-37. Dalton Pepper led the Falcons with 16 points, while Eddie DiRugeris added 13 markers. The Falcons held the Titans to just 12 second half points.
“We are similar to Norristown in that both of us has a star,” said Sciolla in reference to Wyatt and Pepper. “And we are similar in that both programs have experienced recent success.
“Wyatt is a shot maker, he makes them shooting off his wrong foot, or shooting at odd angles,” said Sciolla. “We will have to help and contain him on defense.”
Wyatt – who was a teammate of Pepper’s back in a day in AAU basketball – has the utmost respect for his rival.
“Dalton is big, strong and unselfish,” said Wyatt. “Plus he can score a lot of points.”
“Pepper is the heart of their team,” said Evans. “We may not be able to stop him, but we have to keep the other players from beating us.”
Those ‘other’ prime time players include Eddie DiRugeris, Tom Marcinkowski, Jesse Krasna, and Dante Devine.
“My team mates really stepped up in the win over CB South,” said Pepper. “They made some shots, and we all played great defense.
“Playing Norristown in the Fianl Four is going to be great,” continued Pepper. “It should be a good atmosphere, and I love playing against Khalif.
“He’s not the best athlete, but he is the smoothest player I’ve seen,” added Pepper. “We played on the same team for a couple of summers, and I consider him a good friend.”
If the game is anything like the first overtime thriller, both the Eagles and the Falcons should have good viewer ratings.
Welcome to the Show.
Not Quite Ready for Prime Time
Plymouth Whitemarsh (21-4) and Central Bucks South (21-4) will make the state playoffs, but both were eliminated from hopes of a PIAA District One title.
The Colonials shot a horrific 25 percent from the field and made just 2-of-21 from beyond the three-point arc in a 43-34 loss to Conestoga.
“When you shoot that poorly, you won’t beat anybody,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Jim Donofrio. “Conestoga has five seniors, with three years of experience in the program, and there is a lot to be said about that.
“We play a lot of young kids, and we lack in playoff experience,” added Donofrio. “But we have an opportunity to bounce back from this loss. We will see what type of team we have.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh will face Lower Merion (22-5) as the ‘seeding’ tournament begins. The Colonials could end up as high as a #5 seed or as low as a #8 seed.
Central Bucks South also struggled offensively as the Titans were beaten by Pennsbury, 56-37. Will Barrett led CBS with just 14 points.
“I was proud of our effort,” said Central Bucks South coach Jason Campbell. “We usually shoot 45 percent from the field, and tonight we shot 27 percent. The shots just didn’t fall.”
The Titans draw in the ‘seeding’ tournament will be Chester – which lost 61-59 to Norristown.
The winner of the PW-Lower Merion game will meet the winner of the CB South-Chester contest to determine the #5 and 6 seeds. Losers of those games will also play each other for slots 7-8 in the state tournament.
Who’s # 9?
Both Neshaminy (16-9) and Central Bucks West (19-6) are still in the hunt for the infamous #9 position in the state playoffs.
The Redskins advanced with a convincing 74-56 victory over West Chester Henderson.
Freshman sensation Ryan Arcidiacano led all scorers with 28 points, while Steve Warhola and Justin Deeter each tallied 14 markers.
Neshaminy will square off with CB West in the next game. Winner moves on – loser goes home.
Central Bucks West edged Bensalem, 58-50, behind a 22-point scoring performance by Rellis Reichwein. Patrick Furst also scored in double figures with 13 points.
Exit Door
Both Souderton (15-10) and Bensalem (18-7) were shown the exit door in the race for the #9 seed.
The Indians saw their season come to an end in a 68-52 loss to West Chester Rustin. Senior Jimmy Connolly closed out his brilliant career with a 13-point effort, while A.J. Picard scored a team-high 17 points.
The Owls saw their season come to an end in a 58-50 setback to Central Bucks West. Nick Christian led Bensalem with an 18-point performance, while Ivan Flores scored 15 points.
SuburbanOneSports.Com Super Seven
1. Pennsbury Falcons (22-3)
2. Norristown Eagles (20-5)
3. Central Bucks South Titans (21-4)
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (21-4)
5. Central Bucks West Bucks (19-6)
6. Bensalem Owls (18-7)
7. Neshaminy Redskins (16-9)
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