Monthly Archives: February 2025

A Triumph for Tradition: Father Judge’s Victory at The Palestra Rekindles the Spirit of Philadelphia Basketball

February 24, 2025 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

PHILADELPHIA, PA – In the heart of Philadelphia, where the echoes of basketball history reverberate through the halls of The Palestra, a new chapter was written on Sunday afternoon. Father Judge High School, a proud institution from Northeast Philly, defeated defending champion Roman Catholic, 41-34, to claim the Philadelphia Catholic League Boys’ Basketball Championship. The victory, their first in 27 years, was not just a triumph for the Crusaders but a celebration of the enduring legacy of one of the most storied venues in sports.

The Palestra, the cathedral of college basketball, turned 98 this year. Since its opening in 1927, it has hosted more games, more visiting teams, and more NCAA tournaments than any other arena in the country. Its hallowed floor has been graced by legends, from Wilt Chamberlain to Kobe Bryant, and its intimate, raucous atmosphere has made it a shrine for basketball purists. Yet, in recent years, The Palestra’s relevance as a contemporary venue for college basketball has waned. The Philadelphia Big 5, once the lifeblood of the arena, no longer calls it home. Temple, Villanova, La Salle, and St. Joseph’s have opted to play their city series games on their own campuses, leaving Penn, the Palestra’s home team, as a fading force in the Ivy League.


But if the Big 5 has moved on, the Catholic League has stepped in to fill the void. The Catholic League Final Four has become the premier basketball event at The Palestra, a showcase of the city’s rich high school basketball tradition. On Saturday, approximately 10,000 fans—exceeding the arena’s official capacity of 8,700—packed into the venerable building to witness Father Judge and Roman Catholic battle for the most coveted high school championship in Pennsylvania. The atmosphere was electric, a reminder of what makes The Palestra special: the passion of the fans, the intensity of the competition, and the sense that, for a few hours, time stands still.

The game itself was a gritty, hard-fought affair, emblematic of Philadelphia basketball. Father Judge, led by head coach Chris Roantree, overcame a sluggish start to outlast Roman Catholic in a defensive slugfest. The Crusaders went the entire first quarter without a field goal, managing only two free throws, as Roman Catholic’s suffocating defense disrupted their rhythm. Sophomore point guard Tyler Sutton was a revelation for Roman, scoring 20 of his team’s 34 points and showcasing a blend of poise and skill that belied his age. But Father Judge’s senior point guard, Kevair Kennedy, weathered the storm, delivering clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. His 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists may not have been eye-popping, but his leadership and resilience were instrumental in securing the title.

The game also featured a standout performance from Father Judge’s Everett Barnes, whose defensive dominance evoked memories of Bill Russell. Barnes, a towering presence in the paint, blocked shot after shot, keeping his team within striking distance during their offensive struggles. Alongside Roman Catholic’s Shareef Jackson, another formidable big man, Barnes is headed to the Patriot League next year, leaving one to wonder why Penn’s Steve Donahue didn’t make a stronger push to keep these local talents in the city. Their absence will be felt, but their performances on Saturday were a testament to the depth of talent in Philadelphia high school basketball.

For Father Judge, the victory was the culmination of a remarkable turnaround. Four years ago, Roantree took over a program that had gone 2-12 in the Catholic League. Under his guidance, the Crusaders have risen to the top, their journey a testament to the power of perseverance and belief. The postgame celebration was a scene of unbridled joy, as players, coaches, and fans reveled in a moment that had been decades in the making. For the Judge community, this championship was more than just a trophy; it was a reaffirmation of their identity and a source of immense pride.

As the final buzzer sounded and the Crusaders celebrated on the court, it was impossible not to feel the weight of history. The Palestra, with its wooden bleachers and arched rafters, has witnessed countless moments of triumph and heartbreak. On Sunday, it added another to its collection. Father Judge’s victory was a reminder of what makes this arena so special: its ability to bring people together, to create memories that last a lifetime, and to serve as a bridge between the past and the present.
In a city that loves its basketball, The Palestra remains a sacred space. While the Big 5 may have moved on, the Catholic League has ensured that the arena’s legacy endures. For one night, at least, The Palestra was once again the center of the basketball universe, and Father Judge’s Crusaders were its brightest stars.

Philly Hoopheads’ Guide to Surviving the Dry Season

February 20, 2025 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

PHILADELPHIA, PA – These Philly hoop streets? They dry as a bone, baby. You can cruise every corner of this city, from the gritty blocks to the shiny high-rises, looking for that fire—Purple Haze, Kush, Modified Bananas, whatever your vice—but don’t you dare step foot in South Philly’s Wells Fargo Center. Nah, Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse out here peddling straight-up trash. That shit they pushing? TRASH! Full of seeds, won’t stay lit, burns your throat like cheap rotgut. Shit’ll leave you with a headache and no buzz, just mad as hell. You’ll wanna slap the taste outta Morey and Nurse’s mouths for putting Maxey out there on the corner hustling that garbage. Straight disrespectful.

Now, if you roll through University City, you’ll catch Steve Donahue slinging what I swear is oregano. Man, it’s a damn shame. Back in the day, the Quakers had that premium smoke at 33rd and Walnut. I ain’t lying, I used to puff on that Ugonna Onyekwe and Koko Archibong back in the day—25 years ago, that was the real deal. Before them, Jerome Allen and Matt Maloney were holding it down with that top-shelf product. You could hit that two, three times a week and never feel cheated. These days? Don’t even bother with 33rd and Walnut unless you wanna waste your time and cash.

Over at 34th and Market, Zack Spiker and Wil Chavis are pushing that reggie. Ain’t nothing special about it. Yeah, it’s better than nothing, but it ain’t gonna get you where you need to be. Smoke two, three blunts of that weak sauce, and all you’ll get is the munchies and a whole lotta disappointment.

Now, if you head up to Wynnefield, it’s a crapshoot. Some nights, you might luck up and catch that fire. I’m talking East Coast elite, smooth flavor, strong but not overwhelming. But other nights? Billy Lange’s out there slinging that same ol’ reggie. Coach Lange and Justin Scott need to find themselves a better connect, ‘cause this ain’t cutting it.

Same story at 20th and Olney. Hit it on the right night, and you’ll find that killer “Deuce Jones” strain Fran Dunphy and Donnie Carr been pushing. That’s the good stuff, baby. But too often, they dry, and you’re stuck with that same weak reggie. Heartbreaking.

Now, if you swing down North to Broad and Cecil B. Moore, prepare to be let down. Earlier this year, they had some decent “mid”—not great, but better than reggie. Lately though? Adam Fisher, Chris Clark, and Bob Jordan been serving up straight disappointment. It’s a damn shame, ‘cause John Chaney held it down for 25 years with that killer product. These new cats? They ain’t got the touch.

And don’t even get me started on the Main Line. A few years back, you couldn’t miss. Yeah, it was overpriced, but it was worth every penny. Jay Wright had that hydroponic lab on lock, harvesting that premium smoke. Every batch was fire, and the demand was sky-high. When he opened shop, it was standing room only. But since he handed the keys to Kyle Neptune and Ashley Howard? They serving “mid” now. And for hoopheads used to that top-tier Pavilion smoke, “mid” just don’t cut it.

But here’s the real deal, the not-so-secret secret. If you’re a true Philly hoophead, you know where to go: 3301 Solly Avenue in the Northeast and downtown at Broad and Vine. That’s where the real fire is. I copped some tonight, and let me tell you, it’s the truth.

While the Sixers and these D1 programs keep letting us down, the Philadelphia Catholic League? They holding it down. Night in, night out, these young boys are serving the best smoke in the city. Roman, Catholic, Devon Prep, Father Judge and St. Joseph’s Prep—they all got that high-end, Grade-A Kush. No laced-up, fake-ass product here. The gyms are packed, the lights are bright, and the smoke is pure. The PCL is keeping Philly hoops alive while the big boys keep dropping the ball.

So, if you’re a real hoophead looking for that fix, skip Wells Fargo and these college programs. Head to the Palestra on Sunday for Catholic League Championship. That’s where you’ll find the finest smoke this city has to offer. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.