Philadelphia Catholic League Dominates PIAA Boys State Basketball Championships

The Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) is considered one of the top basketball leagues in the state. And for good reason, heading into the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys’ Basketball Championship Tournament, the PCL featured six teams in MaxPrep’s PA Top 25 including the Top 5. Five PCL teams made it to the finals of their respective PIAA Class tournaments and provided a thrilling few days for high school hoops fans who made the trek to Hershey for the finals.

Here’s a look at how the PCL faired in the PIAA championship at GIANT Center in Chocolatetown.

West Catholic Rallies from 14-points Down to Win PIAA Class 3A Title

West Catholic (Philadelphia, PA) defeated South Allegheny (McKeesport, PA) 60-51 on Saturday afternoon, March 29, at GIANT Center in Hershey to claim the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 3A title. 

Early in the game, the Burrs fell into a 14-point point hole before using a 13-0 run in the 3rd quarter to close the gap. A Ramir Speaks three-pointer in the gave West Catholic a 33-31 lead that they would never relinquish.

Jayvon Byrd led West Catholic with 20 points. Eric Scott had 14 points and seven assists. Kingston Wheatley had six points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.

The win gives the Burrs their second PIAA Class 3A title in three seasons.

Devon Prep Uses 12-0 Run to Blow Out Berks Catholic in PIAA 4A Championship Game

Devon Prep (Devon, PA) defeated Berks Catholic (Reading, PA) 55-39 on Thursday night, March 27, at GIANT Center in Hershey to claim the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Assocation (PIAA) Class 4A title. 

A back-and-forth affair through three quarters the game entered the final quarter with Devon Prep clinging to a 38-36 lead. However, the tide was turning, and the Devon Prep Tide eventually wore down the Saints thanks in part to 12-0 run to start the final frame.

Mason Thear led Devon Prep with 19 points. Calvin Smith contributed with 13 points.

The win marks Devon Prep’s third overall state championship and third in four seasons (2022, 2024).

Nuemann-Goretti Spoils Hershey’s Championship Run in PIAA 5A Title Tilt

Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, PA) defeated Hershey (PA) 85-71 on Friday night, March 28, at GIANT Center in Hershey to claim the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 5A title.

The Trojans were looking to play spoiler against the highly ranked N-G Saints in front of a near sellout, hometown crowd in Chocolatetown. Hershey came out looking to win their first state title from the opening tip and took a 44-37 lead into halftime. Neumann-Goretti would begin to assert their dominance in the third stanza. The Saints closed out the third with a 63-58 lead before exploding in the fourth quarter to win their first ever PIAA Class 5A title.

Stephon Ashely-Wright led the Saints with 25 points. Keon Long-Mtume had 14 points and DeShawn Yates had 12.

The win marked Nuemann-Goretti’s first ever Class 5A title and the Saints’ 10th state title since the merger of schools in 2004.

Father Judge Wins First State Title in Philadelphia Catholic League Final Rematch

Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA) defeated Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, PA) 71-60 on Saturday night, March 29, at GIANT Center in Hershey to claim the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class 6A title. 

A rematch of last month’s Philadelphia Catholic League title game from the famed Palestra, this Judge-Roman affair played out in similar fashion with the game tied 36-36 heading into the half. The Crusaders would come out of the halftime break pushing the action forcing the Cahlittes to play catch up the remainder of the way. Roman would pull within two-points, 55-53 midway though the final frame but that was the closest they would get. 

Judge closed out their third consecutive win over Roman this basketball season – a thrilling 55-53 regular season win in January and the PCL final last month – to bring their first ever boys’ basketball title to Solley Ave. 

Kevair Kennedy led Father Judge with 29 points while Derrick Motron-Riveria had 19 points. 

James Czarnaski contributed to this report.