It is simply the finest scholastic basketball event in the nation. The pageantry and passion are unmatched. Every year in late February they shoehorn about 10,000 fans, students, media, security, cheerleaders, coaches and players into the Cathedral of College Basketball for the Philadelphia Catholic League Semifinals and Finals. Situated at 235 South 33rd Street, adjacent to Franklin Field, the Palestra’s significance in the annals of college basketball is unparalleled, its aura palpable as soon as one steps foot inside.
The Catholic League Final Four is a tradition steeped in history and an unrivaled passion for the city game. Arguably, the event stands as the pinnacle of scholastic basketball nationwide. Steven Haug and the Athletic Department at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia do an exceptional job hosting and seem to get better every year.
One simply cannot imagine a young boy or girl between the ages of 5 and 14 experiencing this event and not wanting to play in the Catholic League. It is truly special.
This year’s clash saw the Roman Catholic Cahillites, under the stewardship of Head Coach Chris McNesby, making the 15 block journey from Broad and Vine to University City. Their eyes were set on clinching their 34th Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. Opposing them were the Archbishop Ryan Raiders, led by Joe Zeglinski, venturing down I-95 from the far Northeast, thirsting for their maiden title.
Within Philly’s Basketball community, Roman Catholic is a dynasty of the highest order. The boys from Broad and Vine have a basketball tradition that is recognized nationwide. Like the Babe Ruth’s Yankees, Red Auerbach’s Celtics, Bill Belichick’s Patriots, Geno Auriemma’s Huskies and Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils, these muthafuckas always – I mean always – seem to win the BIG fuckin games.
Some people like dominant teams, not me…
Dynasties breed fervent followings, and the Cahillite faithful stand as some of the most passionate on the eastern seaboard. The fanbases for dynasties like the Yankees, Celtics, Patriots, Huskies and, dare I say, Cahillites are expansive and exasperating. Roman fans are among the most passionate on the eastern seaboard. Nonetheless, truth be told, Cahillite fans make Catholic League playoff games pop. Spend more than a few minutes with them and you quickly understand one basic fact. They view an appearance in the Catholic League Final Four and Championship games at the Palestra as a birthright.
It’s the power that comes from the collective experience of fandom, whether in euphoria or misery, that makes the Catholic League Final Four so compelling. Tonight, I was hoping to see the Cahillite fans experience the latter. After all, just 12 months ago, I watched as Xzayvier Brown etched his name in the annals of Catholic League history by single handedly carrying the Cahillites to victory on the Palestra floor. Cahillite euphoria was at all-time high that night. The stakes are always heightened with the PCL championship on the line, and the contest are all the more riveting when Roman is involved.
Tonight was no exception.
Before the prayer and nation anthem, I saw my friends and Roman alums Reggie Jackson and Mike Wild. Both asked “who you like?” To both, I replied “Y’all got 33 of ‘em, I want to see Ryan get one.” Both of these Roman guys said, “Naaaah, we NEED one more.”
These muthafuckas…
Looking in the stands and along the sideline I see legendary Roman coaches Dennis Seddon and Speedy Morris. Maaaaaan… they are preparing for yet another coronation.
Let’s go Ryan…
I’ve never identified with dynasties. Were I alive during the era of Ruth, Gehrigh, Dimaggio and Mantle, I would have undoubtedly been a fan of the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Although, I never saw either play, I am convinced the Josh Gibson was better than Babe Ruth. While I admire and respect Bill Russell’s 11 NBA championships, I would have been a ride or die Wilt Chamberlain fan. As I have tried to explain the Phil Martelli for more than a decade, Dawn Staley is better than Geno. Andy Reid is superior to Belichick. And, everyone knows that John Chaney was superior to Coach K in every way.
Amidst this backdrop of tradition and Roman Catholic dominance, I steadfastly maintain a yearning for the underdog narrative, a desire to witness the coronation of a new champion. Tonight, I hoped Archbishop Ryan would defy the odds and vanquish the mighty Cahillites. With Roman Catholic boasting the aforementioned 33 championship trophies, the stage was set for a clash of titanic proportions.
Early on, the towering presence of Shareef Jackson loomed large for Roman Catholic. Shareef is a physical mismatch in almost every sense at the high school level. His size, power, skill and reflexes give him the ability to do things even when he’s not in position to do them. He’s an underrated athlete, despite lacking great explosiveness, he’s extremely nimble and dexterous for such a big man. He has great hands and soft touch, he is also ambidextrous which allows him to finish easily around the rim.
Shareef’s feet are quick for a player with so much weight allowing him to react to plays very well. He has a diverse skill set offensively, to go along with great footwork in the paint that makes him much more than just a big body. He is extremely adept at finishing through contact. Shareef feels he can score almost every time he gets the ball in the post. He can create for himself with a variety of offensive moves whether its facing up or with his back to the basket. On the block, he uses his strength well to overpower opponents and create space to score.
In the first half he also demonstrated that he is capable of knocking down mid-range jumpers and even 3-pointers. Shareef dominates the boards at the high school level, while eating up more space than anyone on the court. He shows solid passing ability and vision for a big man. He can also handle the ball very well, even in the open court when called upon. He also has surprising ball skills for a big man. He has a mean streak which scouts like to see. Marc Jackson’s eldest boy is a leader of men.
Shit… I cannot fathom how Drexel, St. Joseph’s, La Salle, Temple and Penn are not wearing a groove in the Jackson’s front door from constant pounding. This young man is a winning basketball player… Lord knows, EVERY BIG 5 program could use a few of those.
But then Shareef picked up a second foul in the first half and had to sit. His younger brother Sammy, a long, lean highly skilled 6’6” wing, was forced to patrol the paint while big bro sat for a while. A 15 year-old sophomore, Sammy immediately blocked a couple shots and continued to sumo wrestle Ryan’s All-State center Thomas Sorber. Sammy was very poised and held down the fort while his brother sat out much of the second quarter. The sophomore sensation rose to the occasion, embodying poise and tenacity in equal measure.
Shit… I was waiting for Tito, Randy and Jermaine to enter game and pick up the Raiders Ryan for 94 feet… Dem Jackson boys are tuff.
As is often the case in Catholic League playoff games, the contest ebbed and flowed, tension mounting with each possession. Archbishop Ryan, led by the indomitable Thomas Sorber and the electric Darren Williams, staged a stirring comeback, fueled by the relentless energy of sixth man Ryan Everett. Everett made his impact immediately upon entering the game in the second half, collecting three consecutive rebounds, scoring on a putback and feeding Sorber for a crowd pleasing dunk.
Everett willed the Raiders back into the game.
In a heart-stopping finale, it was Everett who seemed poised to etch his name into folklore, sinking a clutch shot to put Ryan ahead by one with mere seconds remaining. But in a moment of breathtaking brilliance, Roman Catholic’s Kabe Goss seized the opportunity, delivering a game-winning dagger from top of the key.
And so, the Cahillites added yet another chapter to their illustrious history, while Archbishop Ryan’s quest for glory continues. In the hallowed halls of the Palestra, where legends are born and dreams are shattered, the Philadelphia Catholic League Boys Basketball Championship remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the game and the timeless allure of tradition.
Fuckin Roman wins… AGAIN!
I like Chris Roantree and Father Judge to knock off Roman and capture the title next year…
The Black Cager 