Matchups for next week's PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball playoffs have been determined. Times and locations have not been set for the three local teams that qualified - Penn Wood, Chester and Glen Mills:

CLASS AAAA PLAY-IN GAME: Tuesday, March 3
Glen Mills (1-9) vs. Hazleton Area (2-2)

CLASS AAAA FIRST-ROUND GAMES: Saturday, March 7
Penn Wood (1-2) vs. Penn Manor (3-5)
Chester (1-5) vs. Red Land (3-3)

UPDATE (10:34 p.m., Saturday)
The Class AAA bracket is not entirely complete, but filled out enough to determine who Archbishop Carroll and Strath Haven will be playing:

CLASS AAA FIRST-ROUND GAMES: Friday, March 6
Strath Haven (1-2) vs. Franklin Learning Center (12-2)
Archbishop Carroll (12-3) vs. Phoenixville (1-1)

(Numbers in parentheses refer to district and corresponding seed.)

The expression by Penn Wood senior Will Brown (pictured) should say everything. In case it doesn't here is what Brown felt immediately following the Patriots' 52-49 loss to Norristown in the District One Class AAAA championship game:

"It felt good," said Brown, whose potentially game-tying shot rimmed out at the buzzer. "It just didn't go in. It didn;t drop. I really wish it would have gone in."

The Patriots had tons of chances to secure their first district championship since 1992 - and only their second in school history. They had plenty of unforced errors in the game, however:

• They committed 19 turnovers.
• They committed 20 personal fouls.
• They shot just 5-for-16 from the free-throw line.

Making matters worse was the exceptional play of Norristown senior Khalif Wyatt. The 6-3 guard, a Temple signee, did just about everything for the Eagles. He scored 19 of their first 20 points. He finished with a game-best 25 points and (deep breath) hauled in five rebounds, grabbed five steals, dished out two assists and even blocked a pair of shots to boot.

It didn't matter who the Patriots threw at him - and Penn Wood coach Clyde Jones tossed everything but the kitchen sink at Wyatt - there just was not stopping him. Wyatt got the upper hand, even if it looks like otherwise in these excellent photos by Daily Times photographer Bob Gurecki.

The win made the Eagles' return to the district-title game a memorable one. They lost to Chester last year, ending their undefeated season.

Wyatt was impressive throughout. He knocked down five 3-pointers. Two of them stick out:

1. On one right before halftime, he faded to his right and jumped off only his right foot. The shot, which looked offbalance, banked off the glass and in.

2. Chided by Penn Wood's fans all game for airing a layup in the paint, Wyatt drilled a 3 with Penn Wood junior DeQuan Pelzer draped all over him. After hitting the shot, Wyatt looked at the crowd and thumped his chest with a closed fist.

OK, enough about this game. After all, the only way these two will see each other again is in the PIAA Class AAAA championship. (One can dream.)

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In the District One ninth-place game:

Glen Mills did it. The Bulls pulled off the impossible, improbable, unbelievable route to their first state-playoff berth since 2004: they beat Central Bucks West, 60-57, in double overtime to secure the district's ninth and final slot.

Reggie Miles was huge, stepping up with a team-best 23 points. Aaric Murray had 16 more, and Lavander Johns had nine in the win. It seems like a different player is stepping up each night for the Bulls this postseason.

What really bites about this whole process is that the Bulls - as a "reward" for winning three elimination games in a row - are required to play a play-in game this Tuesday just to get into the PIAA first round, which is held next Saturday. That's where the PIAA screwed up. This needs to be fixed, because the Bulls (or any team that follows them as the No. 9 seed) does not deserve that.

Penn Wood has only ever made it to the District One Class AAAA championship game three times - and has won it only once.

The Patriots will go for No. 2 tonight against eighth-seeded Norristown at Villanova's Pavilion. Sophomore center Shawn Oakman (pictured) and senior forward Thomas White - both of whom measure to 6-8 - will be integral pieces to the Patriots' game tonight.

Check back to Gettin' Schooled later tonight for updates. I have to admit that the 9 p.m. tipoff kind of hampers my desire to do a live blog of the game. But I'll post a halftime score, a final and a detailed recap.

And, of course, buy Saturday's Daily Times. (Keep your favorite high school reporters working, you know?)

In preparation for the District One Swimming Championships this weekend, John Lohn does a great job analyzing the talk of the swimming world - the LZR Racer, the latest in swimwear technology.

The swimsuit, seen here on Michael Phelps, gained global attention at the Beijing Olympics last summer. According to Lohn's story (in Friday's Daily Times), the suit can help shave four-tenths of a second for every 50 yards swum.

How does it work?

The suit is more buoyant than most, making swimmers feel like they are floating. And it is designed to put all swimmers in perfect form.

Though the LZR Racer is not outlawed, it is viewed by some purists as a form of "technological doping." For as little as $400, an average swimmer can gain an unfair advantage in the pool.

One corked bat changed the way people viewed slugger Sammy Sosa. Steroid use has altered how baseball fans view the game forever. Who knows how these suits will change public perception of swimming.

Wednesday was a big day for Archbishop Carroll and Strath Haven, which locked up PIAA Class AAA state-playoff berths with victories.

Carroll senior D.J. Irving posted a career day in beating Simon Gratz. And Haven senior Calvin Newell (pictured) went off for 40 points, and knocked down the game-winning shot, to dispatch Holy Ghost Prep in overtime.

In an attempt to recap Wednesday night's playoff games, here are a couple great quotes from the games:

***Holy Ghost Prep senior John Glenn on Newell's clutch shot:
"I think he was parallel to the ground. I mean, I just couldn't believe he hit that shot, because there were a couple hands in his face and he seemed to be fading away from the basket. But he's a heck of a player."

***Archbishop Carroll senior D.J. Irving, on the Catholic League earning more state berths than the Public League:
"I like all this Public-Catholic stuff, too. We get to see who's better. We think we are and we want to show them that."

***Strath Haven's Calvin Newell, on his shot selection:
"No layup. No tie. I was going for the win."

***Carroll coach Paul Romanczuk, on the Patriots' win-or-go-home game:
"You want everyone to respond with urgency when it's one and done like this. You look to the seniors first, then the guys who have been doing it all season. And D.J. (Irving) has been doing it all season."

Four in, one to go.

Archbishop Carroll and Strath Haven both won Wednesday night, ensuring themselves of spots in next month's PIAA Class AAA playoffs. They join Penn Wood and Chester, which have locked up berths in the Class AAAA state bracket.

Carroll knocked off Simon Gratz to win District 12's third and final Class AAA slot. And Haven won in overtime against Holy Ghost Prep in a District One semifinal.

Glen Mills is the other boys basketball team still vying for a state-playoff spot. If the Bulls win Friday, they assure themselves the ninth and final berth from District One Class AAAA.

More to come in Thursday's Daily Times.

Friday night at Villanova’s Pavilion, Penn Wood takes on Norristown for the District One Class AAAA championship.

Norristown senior Khalif Wyatt, who leads the Eagles in scoring with 20 points per game, felt comfortable Tuesday night. His Eagles knocked off Pennsbury in a district semifinal at Wyatt’s future home floor, at Temple’s Liacouras Center.

Focused mainly on Tuesday’s game, Wyatt addressed the team to which he is committed for the next four years.
Q: Do you like playing here?
A: It’s awesome. All the Temple Owls players were on the side of the court, all the guys I watch on TV – Dionte Christmas and all of them – it was cool. They were courtside. The court was great. The Cherry and White was real nice.

Q: Have you ever played a game here?
A: No, just a shootaround with the guys when they were practicing or something.

Q: Was Temple center Lavoy Allen pulling for his alma mater, Pennsbury, or for you?
A: I came when they played St. Bonaventure (last Sunday). I mentioned to him that we’d be playing here at Temple. He smiled.

Q: How did it feel here?
A: It feels nice. I really like how the court feels. I told myself, ‘I could have a lot of fun here the next four years.’

It's official: Penn Wood and Norristown will square off Friday night for the District One Class AAAA championship.

Penn Wood knocked off Conestoga, 62-53, in the opener of a district semifinal doubleheader at Temple's Liacouras Center. Norristown bested Pennsbury, 60-53, in the nightcap. They will play Friday night at Villanova's Pavilion in a 9 p.m. tipoff.

The Patriots are in the district final for the first time since 1992, when they won their first and only district title. The Eagles is back in the final after dropping last year's title game against Chester.

Jarrell Gardner (pictured) and Lorenzo Christmas were big for Norristown, combining for 16 points. Khalif Wyatt led the way with 17 more.

Pick up a copy of Wednesday's Daily Times for more on the games.

(Photo by the Daily Local News)

From 15 teams, only five Delaware County teams remain in the hunt for the PIAA playoffs. (It's hard to believe that so many teams - 15 of the 24 in Delco, or 63 percent of the schools I cover - advanced to the postseason, but it's been fun.)

Two teams have assured themselves of Class AAAA state-playoff berths - Penn Wood and Chester. Here's what it'll take for the remaining three to move on.

STRATH HAVEN
Record: 13-11.
Next up: Wednesday, vs. Holy Ghost Prep, at Wissahickon.
Scenario: A guaranteed state slot from District One Class AAA, with a win.
Notes: Senior Calvin Newell (pictured) and the Panthers have handled the tests. This is a big one, against the No. 2 Firebirds. A win puts Haven in states for the first time since 2003, when it was a Class AAAA school. A loss puts the Panthers in a third-place game, with a state berth on the line.

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Record: 21-3.
Next up: Wednesday, vs. Simon Gratz, at Archbishop Ryan.
Scenario: The third-and-final Class AAA slot from District 12 is up for grabs.
Notes: Win and the Patriots are in, and in their first year of state-playoff eligibility. They are the best Class AAA team in Southeastern Pennsylvania - other than Catholic League champ Neumann-Goretti - but the Pats can hang with the Saints.

GLEN MILLS
Record: 17-7.
Next up: Tuesday, at West Chester Rustin.
Scenario: Ninth-place playback in District One Class AAAA.
Notes: The Bulls lost in the second round, one win shy of a guaranteed state spot. But they - with the help of All-Delco center Aaric Murray (pictured) - kept alive their slim playoff hopes with a win Friday in a playback game. They need to beat Rustin and win again later this week to make states for the first time in five seasons.

Senior guard Kerri Shields had the all-around game Monday night that Archbishop Carroll needed to reclaim the Catholic League Championship. It was Shields' 3-pointer that lifted the Patriots past Archbishop Wood, 35-22, at The Palestra to give them their second league crown in three seasons.

Shields, a McDonald's All-America nominee and a Boston College commit, was stellar: eight points, six rebounds, two steals, one assist, one block. In their first year of PIAA eligibility, the Patriots (24-1) will vie for the District 12 Class AAA title Friday.

For more on the game, pick up a copy of Tuesday's Daily Times. Girls basketball beat writer Harry Chaykun was on the scene.

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In the boys title game ... David beat Goliath.

Class AAA school Neumann-Goretti topped perennial favorite Roman Catholic - a Class AAAA institution - in convincing fashion, 86-53, at The Palestra. The Saints look untouchable these days. Two of Archbishop Carroll's three losses are to them, and District One Class AAAA semifinalist Penn Wood lost to them, too.

By now, I'm sure you've heard of the incident last week during a high school boys basketball game in Milwaukee.

A technical foul was issued when Milwaukee-Madison High School's Johntell Franklin joined his team on the bench. His name was not in the team's scorebook because his coach, Aaron Womack, did not expect him to be there. Franklin's mother had passed away earlier in the week, succumbing to cancer.

What follows gives hope to everyone that sportsmanship is alive and well in high school sports. DeKalb High School's Darius McNeal opted to take the foul shots awarded for the technical, then proceeded to miss them on purpose.

McNeal offered up shots that traveled two feet and rolled to the baseline.

"I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It was the right thing to do."

ESPN did a feature on the sportsmanlike act. Check it out.

Only one major development to report from last week's PIAA poll to this one, as issued weekly by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg. (And it's an obvious one.)

Chester dropped from No. 2 in the Class AAAA poll down to No. 6, and Norristown, which beat the Clippers in the District One playoffs Friday, moved up three spots from No. 8 to No. 5:

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 22-3 -- 1
2. PENN WOOD (1) 22-3 -- 3
3. Roman Catholic (12) 17-7 -- 5
4. York (3) 27-0 -- 4
5. Norristown (1) 20-5 -- 8
6. CHESTER* (1) 21-4 -- 2
7. Lower Merion (1) 22-5 -- 6
8. Williamsport (4) 19-3 -- 9
9. Conestoga (1) 25-2 -- NR
10. C.D. East (3) 24-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Bethlehem Liberty (11) 17-8; Central Bucks South (1) 21-4; Harrisburg (3) 22-4; Mt. Lebanon (7) 20-4; North Catholic (12) 16-8; Parkland (11) 22-3; Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 21-4; Pocono Mountain East (11) 22-4.

CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 22-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 24-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 25-2 -- 3
4. Abington Heights (2) 21-1 -- 4
5. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 21-3 -- 5
6. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 21-4 -- 6
7. Farrell (10) 19-4 -- 7
8. York Suburban (3) 22-3 -- 8
9. Shamokin (4) 21-1 -- 9
10. North Schuylkill (11) 22-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Coughlin (2) 18-6; Crestwood (2) 19-5; Franklin L.C. (12) 19-5; Hampton (7) 20-4; Hickory (10) 20-3; Highlands (7) 18-6; Perry (8) 19-4; Phoenixville (1) 19-5.

The rest of the polls, by the Patriot-News.

Something happened Friday that hasn’t happened in seven years: the Chester Clippers lost a District One Class AAAA playoff game. A bit of Southeastern Pennsylvania royalty, the Clippers were dethroned by No. 8 Norristown.

The Clippers last dropped a district game February 2001, losing in the semifinals to eventual PIAA champion Coatesville.

Friday’s loss snapped a streak of 38 consecutive district playoff victories. On their way toward winning their school's sixth state championship last year (at right), the Clippers extended their own record to seven straight district championships.

Those numbers are flat-out unprecedented and it’s hard to believe any team will ever accomplish such a streak. To put it into further perspective, here’s a smattering of what has happened since the Clippers last lost a district playoff game:

• A Philadelphia professional sports franchise won a championship (2008).
• The Clippers won two state titles (2003-04, 2007-08).
• There have been two presidential elections (2004, 2008).
• The United States launched a war on Iraq (2003).
• Facebook, the uber-popular networking site, is founded (2004).
• Two U.S. presidents pass away (Reagan, 2004; Ford, 2006).
• More than 959 million births have taken place globally.

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ELSEWHERE IN THE AAAA BRACKET

Penn Wood 38, Lower Merion 35: Duane Johnson (pictured) scored 10 of his team-best 12 points in the first half. The Patriots avenged a regular-season loss to the Aces by doing what Johnson told the Daily Times most people thought they couldn’t do: “We want to prove we can win a 40-point game.” They did. Tyree Johnson scored 11 more for the Pats.

Glen Mills 78, Owen J Roberts 65: Lavander Johns, who scored zero points in Tuesday’s second round, poured in a team-best 23 to keep the Bulls’ season alive in the ninth-place consolation bracket. Aaric Murray scored 20 more for The Mills, which led 22-5 after one quarter.

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OK, here’s what we’re looking at for the Class AAAA semifinal pairings, which will be held next Tuesday at Temple University’s Liacouras Center:

• No. 3 Penn Wood vs. No. 2 Conestoga, 6 p.m.
• No. 8 Norristown vs. No. 4 Pennsbury, 8 p.m.

According to Kevin Cooney of the Bucks County Courier Times, fans should be warned to hit the MAC machines before going to the games. Reportedly, ticket prices are $10 and parking at Temple will be $12. (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.)

In an e-mail from Archbishop Carroll coach Paul Romanczuk, the details of the District 12 Class AAA Play-In Game have been finalized:

Who: Archbishop Carroll vs. Simon Gratz
When: Wednesday, Feb. 25; 7:30 p.m.
Where: Archbishop Ryan H.S., Northeast Philadelphia
At stake: District 12 Class AAA's third and final state-playoff berth

The District 12 playoffs are structured in a way that favors neither the Catholic or the Public League. The top Class AAA team from both will play Wednesday night at the Liacouras Center at Temple University for the city championship (Neumann-Goretti vs. Franklin Learning Center).

Because District 12 Class AAA gets only three state berths, the final one is determined in a one-game playoff between the second-place teams from both leagues.

It all comes down to this, folks. Better be there.

There will be no Delaware County representation at this year's McDonald's All-America Game.

Roman Catholic's Maalik Wayns (pictured), a Villanova signee, was Southeastern Pennsylvania's only choice for the game, which will be played April 1 in Miami, Fla.

Four players from Delco had been nominated for entry in the game: Glen Mills' Aaric Murray, Penn Wood's Duane Johnson, Strath Haven's Calvin Newell and Chester's Rahlir Jefferson.

Dominic Cheek, a 6-6 guard from St. Anthony in New Jersey, was Villanova's second selection to the prestigious game. Villanova, with two recruits selected, has more representatives in the game than all schools except North Carolina, which has three.

Delco was vying for a representative in the game for consecutive seasons. American Christian's Tyreke Evans made last year's game, and earned MVP honors. Archbishop Carroll's Barry Bekkedam is the county's only other rep in the McDonald's showcase.

A couple interesting tidbits about the remaining teams in the District One Class AAAA bracket...

No. 1: The final eight are the top eight seeds overall.

• 1 CHESTER vs. 8 Norristown
• 2 Conestoga vs. 7 Plymouth-Whitemarsh
• 3 PENN WOOD vs. 6 Lower Merion
• 4 Pennsbury vs. 5 Central Bucks South

No. 2: Three of these games are rematches.
Chester knocked off Norristown, 58-47, Dec. 26 at the Jameer Nelson Classic. Penn Wood dropped one, 47-44, to Lower Merion Jan. 24 at the Kobe Bryant Classic. And Conestoga took down P-W, 50-43, Dec. 6.

No. 3: The Chester-Norristown game is a look into the future at Temple University.
Clippers forward Rahlir Jefferson (pictured) and Eagles combo Khalif Wyatt are headed to North Broad Street next fall. Said Jefferson last week of the potential playoff meeting: "I didn't look (at the bracket). Khalif called me and said, 'We both win two and we'll see each other."

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As for that elusive ninth seed, here's how it'll be determined: The bracket reverses itself and plays the opposite way. There is no re-seeding. First-round games in the eight-team, single-elimination playback are as follows:

• No. 17 Souderton at No. 9 W.C. Rustin
• No. 13 O.J. Roberts at No. 12 GLEN MILLS
• No. 23 Neshaminy at 18 W.C. Henderson
• No. 14 Bensalem at No. 11 C.B. West

Archbishop Carroll coach Paul Romanczuk was named the Catholic League's Coach of the Year Tuesday, when the postseason awards were announced.

In his sixth season, Romanczuk led the Patriots to a 21-2 record and an appearance in Wednesday's league semifinal, where they will face Roman Catholic.

Romanczuk wasn't the only one from Carroll to garner high honors. Junior guard D.J. Irving and sophomore guard Juan'Ya Green (pictured, left to right) were named to the league's Blue Division First Team. Senior forwards Kasheef Festus and Andre Wilburn were picked for Blue's Second and Third teams, respectively.

CATHOLIC RED
At Monsignor Bonner, junior point guard Jamal Melvin was named to the Red Division First Team. Junior guard Keefer Francis was selected to the Second Team.

INTER-AC
Episcopal Academy junior guard Omari Grier garnered a First-Team nomination. Teammate and senior guard Cory Goodman made the Second Team, and senior guards A.J. Jones and Sam Kurtzman of The Haverford School were Honorable Mention selections.

Whereas most teams would be disappointed with a season-ending defeat – and not to be misunderstood, the Friars were – Monsignor Bonner's five seniors took comfort Saturday after their loss to North Catholic in the Catholic League quarterfinals.

The seniors - Henry Smith, Brian Boyle, Jerry Colvin, Matt Cummings and Bill Scanlan - helped establish a budding legacy at Bonner. Prior to their enrollment at the school in 2005, the Friars had not been in the playoffs in five seasons. They had not won a playoff game since their coach Brian Daly was wearing a green and white jersey. Now, the Friars are coming off their fourth consecutive playoff berth.

“Unfortunately, we had dreams of going a little further and winning the championship,” Boyle said, “but every guy who walked out of our locker room was satisfied with how our careers went. It could’ve been better, but none of us would trade it for anything.”

Well, except for maybe another win. “Maybe,” Boyle said, with a half-smile.

According to the Phoenix News, Phoenixville big man George Harper has decided to quit the team only days before the District One Class AAA playoffs begin.

This makes the bracket wide open.

The story, from one of the Daily Times' sister papers, makes the case that Harper, a 6-7 junior power forward, left the Phantoms following their loss Friday in the Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs. The story cites that Harper, an American Christian transfer, had difficulties with coaches and teammates, and academic and disciplinary pitfalls.

This is a huge blow for the Phantoms (18-5, 11-2), who won the regular-season title in the PAC-10's small-schools division. They are the Class AAA top seed and, on Saturday, will face the winner of a first-round game between No. 8 Octorara and No. 9 Pottstown.

What does this mean for Delaware County teams?

Well, fourth-seeded Marple Newtown certainly has an easier route to the district final, with the Phantoms out of the picture. (Harper torched the Tigers for 14 points in the title game of their holiday tournament. Harper, who has received recruiting interest from Georgetown and Seton Hall, was the tourney's MVP.)

And on the other side of the bracket, it's one less team No. 6 Strath Haven and No. 7 Springfield will have to contend with, should they string a few wins together.

Delaware County basketball fans should be familiar with this face. It's that of Temple-bound Norristown senior Khalif Wyatt, whose Eagles fell to Chester (twice) in the playoffs a year ago.

If Norristown is going to vanquish ghosts of playoffs passed, it's through Wyatt ... and a glitch in the District One Class AAAA power-points system.

Turns out Wyatt and the Eagles are the district-playoff bracket's No. 8 seed - and not the ninth, as originally seeded. So for Tuesday's second-round tilt with West Chester Rustin (the initial No. 8 seed) will be played at Norristown's joint.

All of that make sense?

You'd think that a proven mathematical system would not fail a team, but this time it did. Fortunately, Norristown lived to joke about it. But, for a second, cater to the thought of No. 9 Norristown being upset by the 25 seed when, all along, they should have been playing the 24 seed. There would have been some hell to pay.

Here's the rest of the bracket, should there be any hang-ups.

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There are no humongous modifications to this week's edition of the PIAA state polls.

Chester (No. 2) and Penn Wood (No. 3) are still top dogs in the Class AAAA poll, ranked by the Patriot-News of Harrisburg. Glen Mills - in my opinion - has yet to get the credit it deserves, and comes in under the 'Honorable Mention' label.

In Class AAA, Archbishop Carroll holds steady at No. 5. A good showing in Wednesday's Catholic League semifinal - and subsequent championship game - could alter that.

The entire rankings can be found here.

Delaware County had a rough showing in Friday's opening round of the District One Class AAAA playoffs. Seven local teams made the bracket, and only three moved on to the next round:

• At Upper Darby, Tre Davis (pictured) and the No. 16 Royals could not keep up with Souderton's A.J. Picard, who shot 8-for-11 from the floor. Harry Chaykun reports.
• At Penn Wood, the No. 3 Patriots were on a mission to make quick work of No. 30 Chichester. Mission accomplished. Matt Smith reports. And Bob Gurecki chips in with video coverage.
• At Chester, the No. 1 Clippers were able to regroup after a difficult week in which freshman point guard Kareem Robinson was shot twice. It was an emotional win. Your favorite blogger was on the scene.
• ELSEWHERE: No. 12 Glen Mills advanced, No. 10 Penncrest was upset and No. 22 Radnor could not spring a road win. The roundup.
  

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When the District One Class AAA and A brackets were unveiled, Strath Haven coach Steve Lewis was a little apprehensive. Reason being, his No. 6 Panthers have to do battle in the first-round with an 11th-seeded Upper Moreland team that "smacked us in the mouth," he said.

More on the brackets.

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Coming Sunday: The Daily Times has you (and the Catholic League playoffs) covered. Sports editor Rob Parent was on hand for Archbishop Carroll's win over West Catholic. A Northeast Philadelphia guy - born and raised - I didn't have to travel too far for Monsignor Bonner's loss to North Catholic, which was held at Archbishop Ryan. We'll have the latest in Sunday's edition.

The District One Class AAA and Class A brackets were announced Friday, and four Delaware County teams made the cut:

Class AAA
No. 11 Upper Moreland at No. 6 Strath Haven (first round)
No. 10 Lower Moreland at No. 7 Springfield (first round)
No. 4 Marple Newtown vs. No. 8/9 winner (second round)

Class A
No. 11 Calvary Christian at No. 6 Delco Christian (first round)

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In the Catholic League playoffs, we're looking at Archbishop Carroll and Monsignor Bonner trying to advance to the semifinal round. Both play Saturday. Carroll is at Cardinal O'Hara, where it will face West Catholic. Bonner is at Archbishop Ryan, taking on North Catholic.

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The Bicentennial Athletic League is coordinating its playoff system this weekend to determine a champion. The top two teams from the league's Constitutional Division cross over to face the top teams from the Independence Division. Here is a look at Friday's opening round:

• Delco Christian (No. 2-CD) at Holy Ghost Prep (No. 1-ID)
• Christopher Dock (No. 2-ID) at Girard College (No. 1-CD)

The championship is Saturday.

Chester freshman Kareem Robinson, recovering from two gunshot wounds suffered Wednesday, was released from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Thursday and plans on attending the Clippers' playoff game Friday.

Robinson, according to Chester coach Larry Yarbray and a report filed by Chester Police, was an innocent bystander and the victim of a random act of violence. He is extremely fortunate the two bullets did not pierce a major artery or major organ. The injuries were not life-threatening, though Robinson will not play again this season.

For more on Robinson, check out Friday's Daily Times.

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ALSO IN FRIDAY'S NEWSPAPER: A full preview of the District One Class AAAA playoffs, featuring a little something on all seven Delco teams involved. The weekly feature story is on Chester's Rahlir Jefferson emerging not only as a scoring leader but as a vocal leader.

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Something else to keep an eye on is the release of the District One Class AAA playoff bracket, which will be announced Friday. A safe guess is that Marple Newtown, Strath Haven and Springfield make the cut. Sun Valley could have an outside chance, too.

Check back to Gettin' Schooled Friday for the latest on the seedings.

Prior to The Haverford School's game Tuesday afternoon, the Fords honored former coach and athletic director Don McBride by naming the school's basketball court after him.

McBride coached the Fords to a 48-44 record in eight seasons, including a 1969 Inter-Academic League championship. More importantly, McBride served the school for more than 25 years in administrative roles and as an English teacher.

Thus the deserved honor - McBride Court.

Current Fords coach Steve Cloran was hoping he and the Fords could channel some of McBride's greatness in Tuesday's game against Penn Charter because - interestingly, ironically, whichever word you choose - the Fords hosted and beat Penn Charter 40 years ago to the day, with the league title at stake.

"It wasn't our day," Cloran said, "and I feel really bad about that because it could have been a really nice day. I just hope our game didn't ruin it for some of the other people here today."

It wasn't meant to be this year, with the Fords falling to the Quakers. A.J. Jones had the breakout game with 25 points.

In a day off Monday, I got some time for a better look at the District One Class AAAA bracket. Just a few observations:

AT THE TOP: If the results of the Central League tournament had been factored in, the top six seeds might have been different. Lower Merion would be at least two spots higher than the No. 6 seed, and second-seeded Conestoga would have slipped some.

AT THE BOTTOM: Chichester needed to win two of its final three games. Had they not, the Eagles (11-11) would have been left out of the bracket for sure. Two other .500 teams (Council Rock South and North Penn) made the cut, but one (Wissahickon) did not. No teams with losing records made it in.

LEAGUE LOVE: The Suburban One League got the most love in this year’s bracket, sending 14 teams in the playoffs among its three divisions. Here’s a breakdown:
SOL Continental (6): C.B. South, C.B. West, C.B. East, Souderton, Quakertown, North Penn.
Ches-Mont League (6): W.C. Rustin, Downingtown West, Coatesville, W.C. Henderson, Great Valley, Avon Grove.
SOL National (5): Pennsbury, Bensalem, C.R. North, C.R. South, Neshaminy.
Del Val League (4): Chester, Penn Wood, Glen Mills, Chichester.
Central League (4): Conestoga, Lower Merion, Penncrest, Radnor.
SOL American (3): Norristown, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Cheltenham.
Pioneer Athletic Conference (3): Owen J Roberts, Spring-Ford, Methacton.

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I heard from a dozen readers in response to District One’s 2000-point scorers. It turns out there are 13 of them, not eight (as one Daily Times blogger recently published – oops). Here’s the full list:

• Kobe Bryant (Lower Merion, 1996) 2,883
• Matt Carroll (Hatboro Horsham, 1999) 2,667
• Dan Hargrove (Faith Christian, 2001) 2,378
• John Allen (Coatesville, 2001) 2,372
• Tyrone Lewis (Truman, 2006) 2,211
• Tom Hauer (Sun Valley, 1995) 2,209
• Chad Hopenwasser (New Hope, 1995) 2,172
• Dan Geriot (Springfield, 2006) 2,157
• Lamont Ferrell (Penn Wood, 1984) 2,114
• Martin Salley (Neshaminy/Truman, 1984) 2,090
• Wayne Keys (Bristol, 1986) 2,061
• Mike Vreeswyk (Morrisville, 1985) 2,019
• Dalton Pepper (Pennsbury) TBD

The subject line sums up the major changes in this week's edition of the PIAA boys basketball rankings by the Patriot-News, of Harrisburg.

Archbishop Carroll moved up one spot, from No. 6 to No. 5, in the Class AAA poll. And in Class AAAA, Conestoga, which lost twice to Lower Merion, fell completely out after holding the No. 4 slot the week before.

In not-so-startling news, District One owns six of the top eight ranked teams in Class AAAA:

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 19-3 -- 1
2. CHESTER * (1) 19-3 -- 2
3. PENN WOOD (1) 19-3 -- 3
4. York (3) 23-0 -- 5
5. Roman Catholic (12) 15-7 -- 7
6. Lower Merion (1) 20-4 -- 9
7. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 19-3 -- 10
8. Norristown (1) 17-5 -- 8
9. Williamsport (4) 16-3 -- 6
10. Parkland (11) 20-2 -- NR
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 19-3; Conestoga (1) 22-2; GLEN MILLS (1) 15-6; Harrisburg (3) 19-3; North Catholic (12) 14-7; Olney (12) 18-2; Pocono Mountain East (11) 19-3; Pocono Mountain West (11) 19-3.

CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 20-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 21-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 22-1 -- 3
4. Abington Heights (2) 18-1 -- 5
5. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 20-2 -- 6
6. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 18-3 -- 7
7. Farrell (10) 15-4 -- 8
8. York Suburban (3) 20-2 -- 4
9. Shamokin (4) 19-1 -- 9
10. Crestwood (2) 18-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: Archbishop Wood (12) 15-6; Girard (10) 15-4; Hampton (7) 18-4; Hickory (10) 18-2; Highlands (7) 16-6; North Schuylkill (11) 19-3; Phoenixville (1) 18-5; Steel-High* (3) 12-9.

CLASS AA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 21-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 16-3 -- 2
3. Prep Charter (12) 15-5 -- 3
4. Jeannette* (7) 19-3 -- 4
5. Comm. Tech (12) 19-3 -- 5
6. Holy Cross (2) 17-1 -- 6
7. Beaver Falls (7) 18-4 -- 7
8. North Catholic (7) 20-1 -- 9
9. South Fayette (7) 19-3 -- 10
10. Trinity (3) 16-6 -- NR
Honorable mention: Dunmore (2) 14-5; Fairview (10) 15-4; GAR Memorial (2) 17-4; Holy Name (3) 19-3; Hughesville (4) 16-4; Loyalsock (4) 15-3; Mercyhurst Prep (10) 18-2; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 18-4.

CLASS A
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 17-2 -- 1
2. Girard College (1) 14-4 -- 2
3. Math, Civics Science (12) 18-4 -- 3
4. Serra Catholic* (7) 18-2 -- 4
5. Sewickley Academy (7) 17-4 -- 5
6. Paul Robeson (12) 17-3 -- 6
7. Millville (4) 19-0 -- 7
8. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 16-5 -- 8
9. Williams Valley (11) 21-1 -- 10
10. Reading C.C. (3) 17-5 -- NR
Honorable mention: Bishop Carroll (6) 15-5; Christopher Dock (1) 14-6; DuBois Central Cath. (9) 16-4; Elk County Cath. (9) 15-6; Faith Christian (1) 14-5; Greenwood (3) 19-2; Keystone (9) 18-2; Scotland (3) 14-4.

*-2007-08 PIAA champion

The results are in, amigos. The power points have been tabulated. The District One Class AAAA playoff-seeding meeting was held this morning at Council Rock South High School, in Holland. Here's where all the local teams ended up, with their first-round matchups:

(1) Chester vs. (32) North Penn
(3) Penn Wood vs. (30) Chichester
(10) Penncrest vs. (23) Neshaminy
(12) Glen Mills vs. (21) Council Rock North
(16) Upper Darby vs. (17) Souderton
(22) Radnor at (11) Central Bucks West

OTHERS OF NOTE...
(2) Conestoga vs. (31) Cheltenham
(6) Lower Merion vs. (27) Quakertown
(Please note that higher seeds host opening-round games)

More to come in Monday's Daily Times...

Who would have thought it possible?

Lower Merion, winners of 15 straight and 19 of 20, did the impossible Saturday night. The Aces knocked off the heavy favorite Conestoga, 46-41, to claim the Central League championship.

Lower Merion thwarted Conestoga's bid for consecutive league championships. The Pioneers shared the 2007-08 title with Ridley a year ago.

The usual suspects - Richmond signee Greg Robbins (pictured) and Harley Williamson - combined to score 19 points and were largely outshined by teammate Alon Seltzer's 18 for the Aces (20-4). The Pioneers (22-2) were done in by the 2-spot they put up in the third quarter.

It's safe to say everyone expected Conestoga, which won its first 20 games of the year, to claim the title. But now the Pioneers back into the District One Class AAAA playoffs having lost two of their last four games --- both to the Aces.

There was a pep rally Friday at Archbishop Carroll, employed to get everyone excited for the game that was going to determine (one way or another) the champion of the Catholic League's Blue Division.

There also was a scrimmage ... between Carroll's boys team and its girls team.

Kasheef Festus, (pictured), a senior who measures in at 6-4, 240 pounds, decided to sit this one out.

"Juan'Ya (Green) hit the game-winner at the end," Festus said. "Me, Andre (Wilburn) and D.J. (Irving) didn't play.

So you didn't want to get hurt for Friday's big game, huh?

"No, it's not like that," Festus said. "We had to make it a little more fair. That's not to say they're not good. They were actually really tough the whole game. They were hitting every jump shot."

Festus said the best individual matchup was Green versus senior guard Kerri Shields, a Boston College signee who earlier this week was named a nominee for the McDonald's All-America Game.

"Kerri guarded him really well," Festus said. "But he hit the game-winning shot off her, so he got the last laugh."

So Friday night, two teams that spent all season hoping for a shot at the Central League title had those hopes dashed.

Top-seeded Conestoga dispatched No. 4 Upper Darby, 55-49, by erasing the seven-point lead the Royals carried into the fourth quarter. Sophomore Montrail Talford played beyond his years with 13 for UD.
No. 2 Lower Merion knocked out third-seeded Penncrest, 44-43, on a questionable 3-pointer in overtime. The Aces forced the OT and Harley Williamson converted a trey that was not as down-the-middle as believed.

It's not the All-Delco championship game everyone was hoping for, but Penncrest and Upper Darby have the District One Class AAAA playoffs to look forward to.

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Coming Saturday morning: More with Archbishop Carroll's Kasheef Festus, from Friday's loss to Neumann-Goretti.

Even the astute minds of the Daily Times do not hold the answers to every question. The one currently driving us batty pertains to District One's 2,000-point scorers.

When (not if) Pennsbury's Dalton Pepper (pictured) scores four points tonight at Neshaminy, he will become the eighth player in District One to eclipse the 2,000-point mark for his career. Former Daily Times basketball writer Terry Toohey and I came up with seven of them:

• Wayne Keys (Bristol)
• Kobe Bryant (Lower Merion)
• Tommy Hauer (Sun Valley)
• Dan Geriot (Springfield)
• Lamont Ferrell (Yeadon/Penn Wood)
• Tyrone Lewis (Harry S Truman)
• Pepper (Pennsbury)

Who is the eighth? I'm thinking it's Hatboro-Horsham's Matt Carroll, but I'm not 100-percent sure. But ... the first person to e-mail the answer and proof -- cvito@delcotimes.com -- or post it here on the blog gets a prize*. (NOTE: By "prize", I mean I'm thinking a guest entry on Gettin' Schooled during playoff time. Sound fair?)

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DEL VAL CO-CHAMPS: With Penn Wood's win over Interboro Thursday and Chester's victory over Academy Park, the Patriots and the Clippers finished in a dead heat atop the Del Val League standings. Both teams have 9-1 records, with their only losses coming against one another.

It's the first time in 11 seasons that a team other than Chester has earned a share of the Del Val championship. It's safe to say Chester would have liked to have kept its streak an undisputed league-title run. But something tells me those two will settle things in the District One or PIAA playoffs.

The District One basketball playoffs will be here in no time. Teams in Class AAAA have to wrap up their regular seasons by Saturday so the seedings can be announced Sunday.



Chester's Maurice Nelson and Penn Wood's Duane Johnson, pictured, figure to be big-time players in the AAAA bracket. Nelson has upped his scoring average from 11 ppg to 15 ppg in the last month as the Clippers seek their 8th straight district championship. Johnson leads a balanced team hoping to usurp Chester.


There could be as many as 12 teams from Delco playing postseason basketball:
CLASS AAAA LOCKS (6): Chester; Penn Wood; Glen Mills; Penncrest; Upper Darby; Radnor.
CLASS AAAA BUBBLE TEAM (1): Chichester.

##

CLASS AAA LOCKS (3): Archbishop Carroll; Marple Newtown; Springfield.
CLASS AAA BUBBLE TEAM (1): Sun Valley.

##

CLASS A LOCK (1): Delco Christian.


Sunday, the AAAA bracket is released. We'll have to wait until the following week for the other brackets.

Bad news for Penncrest fans: According to Lions coach Mike Doyle, the first-round matchup Friday in the Central League championship tournament between Penncrest and Lower Merion has been sold out.

I know what you're thinking: "Already?"

Yep, it's true. This should come as no surprise, as the site of the game (Bala Cynwyd Middle School) is considerably smaller than almost all high school gymnasiums. It sold out in a hurry earlier this winter, too, when the girls teams from Lower Merion and Upper Darby played there to determine first place in the league standings.

There are two things Penncrest fans can do:
1. Hope the Lions advance to Saturday's title game, at Ridley.
2. Stay close to the Daily Times for the latest hoops results.

Two of last year's All-Delco boys basketball selections - Aaric Murray of Glen Mills (pictured) and Duane Johnson of Penn Wood - were among those chosen as candidates for the McDonald's All-America Game.

Calvin Newell (Strath Haven) and Rahlir Jefferson (Chester) also were named nominees. They are among the 1,500 nominated players who are vying for 24 roster spots.

On the girls side, three Delco players were nominated for spots on the McDonald's teams: Notre Dame's Devon Kane, Cardinal O'Hara's Stephanie Holzer and Archbishop Carroll's Kerri Shields. They are three out of 1,000 who are vying for only 24 roster spots.

The teams will be announced later this month. The games will be played April 1 in Miami.

OK, so Conestoga losing to Lower Merion assured us that there will be - for the first time in the league's history - a playoff to determine the Central League champion. Here's what I know so far:

TEAMS INVOLVED: Conestoga, Lower Merion, Penncrest and Upper Darby.

SEEDS: Conestoga is the No. 1 seed and Lower Merion is No. 2. Those cannot change. Penncrest is third in the standings, followed by Upper Darby. The Royals (14-8, 12-4) put pressure on the Lions (17-4, 11-4), who were inactive Tuesday, by defeating Ridley in their season finale. Penncrest plays Marple Newtown Wednesday night to determine final seeding.

LOCATIONS: Friday night's games will be held at the gyms of the higher seeds, so Conestoga and Lower Merion will host. Lower Merion's game will be played at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. Saturday's championship will be at Ridley.

TIMES: Conestoga's first-round game is set for 7 p.m. Lower Merion's opener will tip off at 7:30 p.m. And the title game will start at 7 p.m. Saturday.

PRE-SALE TICKETS: Only Lower Merion will sell tickets beforehand, as Bala Cynwyd Middle School does not have as many seats as normal high school gyms.

QUESTIONS: Springfield athletic director and Central League boys basketball chair Glenn Mallon asks that all further questions be addressed by the respective schools' athletic departments.

David has slain Goliath.

OK, that's a little extreme ... but Lower Merion knocked off previously unbeaten Conestoga Monday night, 46-44, to force the first-ever Central League playoff tournament.

Greg Robbins and Harley Williamson scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Aces (17-4, 14-2), who have won 12 in a row after losing uncharacteristically three of their first four games of the season. Jake Cohen was held to nine points as the Pioneers (20-1, 14-1) lost for the first time all year.

What does this mean?

Well, now the Central League will hold a four-team playoff tournament to determine its league champion. The first-round games will be held Thursday night at the sites of the higher seeds and the title game will be held Saturday night at Ridley High School.

At this moment, this is how the semifinal matchups shake out:

• No. 3 Penncrest (17-4, 12-4) at No. 2 Lower Merion (17-4, 14-2)
• No. 4 Upper Darby (13-6, 11-4) at No. 1 Conestoga (20-1, 14-1)

Stay close to the Daily Times for more on the Central League tournament.

Cardinal O'Hara coach Tim Kelly was an assistant on Buddy Gardler's staff for 11 seasons. So when Gardler , the all-time winningest coach in Catholic League decided to hang up the whistle after 560 wins and 39 seasons, it seemed natural that he'd still hang around the program.

Kelly said Gardler, his mentor, has been a regular at the Lions' home games this season. And Gardler frequently lends advice to his successor. Anything to help the Lions (2-16, 0-11 in the Catholic's Red Division) make a complete 180 and pick up a few wins here at the end of the season.

"We talk all the time," Kelly said of Gardler a week back. "He says, 'Hang in there. The kids will get a little bigger and a little stronger next year.' ...We're really focused on that and on trying to get that next win."

The Lions are loaded with juniors and sophomores, including forward Ryan Howarth and guard Anthony Bertolino. Come next season, things will be looking a lot better on Springfield Road.

As a reporter, it is my job to tell the truth. And I'd be lying if I said the latest PIAA boys basketball polls, released weekly by the Patriot News, of Harrisburg, caused me surprise.

In the AAAA poll, District One continues to dominate. The top four teams are from D-I, as are the bottom three of the poll's top 10. Chester and Penn Wood each moved up a spot, to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, after Roman Catholic lost twice last week. A win against Penn Wood Thursday would have almost certainly propelled Glen Mills into the top 10 for the first time this year. It was that kind of week.

I am kind of befuddled by the disrespect Archbishop Carroll has gotten in the AAA poll. All season, the Patriots have been stuck at no higher than No. 5, and for a team that is 19-1, that doesn't make much sense.

Take a look for yourselves:


CLASS AAAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Pennsbury (1) 16-2 --1
2. CHESTER* (1) 17-2 -- 3
3. PENN WOOD (1) 17-3 -- 4
4. Conestoga (1) 20-0 -- 5
5. York (3) 21-0 -- 6
6. Williamsport (4) 14-2 -- 7
7. Roman Catholic (12) 13-7 -- 2
8. Norristown (1) 15-4 -- 8
9. Lower Merion (1) 16-4 -- 9
10. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) 16-3 -- 10
Honorable mention: CD East (3) 17-3; GLEN MILLS (1) 14-5; Harrisburg (3) 16-3; Olney (12) 16-2; Parkland (11) 18-2; Peters Twp. (7) 17-1; Pocono Mountain East (11) 18-2; Reading (3) 17-3.

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CLASS AAA
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Neumann-Goretti (12) 18-2 -- 1
2. Chartiers Valley (7) 19-0 -- 2
3. Eastern York (3) 18-1 -- 4
4. York Suburban (3) 18-2 -- 3
5. Abington Heights (2) 15-1 -- 5
6. ARCH. CARROLL (12) 19-1 -- 6
7. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 16-3 -- 7
8. Farrell (10) 13-4 -- 9
9. Shamokin (4) 17-1 -- 10
10. Crestwood (2) 16-3 -- 8

Honorable mention: Archbishop Wood (12) 14-4; Coughlin (2) 15-4; Girard (10) 13-4; Hampton (7) 16-4; Hickory (10) 16-2; Highlands (7) 15-5; Phoenixville (1) 17-4; Steel-High* (3) 12-7.

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CLASS AA

Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Imhotep (12) 19-1 -- 1
2. Strawberry Mansion (12) 15-2 -- 2
3. Prep Charter (12) 14-4 -- 3
4. Jeannette* (7) 17-3 -- 5
5. Communications Tech (12) 17-3 -- 4
6. Holy Cross (2) 16-1 -- 6
7. Beaver Falls (7) 16-4 -- 7
8. Loyalsock (4) 14-1 -- 9
9. North Catholic (7) 17-1 -- 10
10. South Fayette (7) 17-3 -- NR
Honorable mention: Cambria Heights (6) 17-1; Fairview (10) 13-4; GAR Memorial (2) 15-3; Holy Name (3) 18-3; Hughesville (4) 13-4; Mercyhurst Prep (10) 16-2; Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 17-3; Trinity (3) 13-6.

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CLASS A
Team (District) Record -- Previous
1. Kennedy Catholic (10) 15-2 -- 1
2. Girard College (1) 13-4 -- 2
3. Math, Civics Science (12) 16-4 -- 3
4. Serra Catholic* (7) 16-2 -- 4
5. Sewickley Academy (7) 14-4 -- 5
6. Paul Robeson (12) 16-3 -- 6
7. Millville (4) 16-0 -- 8
8. O.L. Sacred Heart (7) 15-4 -- 10
9. DuBois C.C. (9) 14-3 -- 7
10. Williams Valley (11) 20-1 -- NR
Honorable mention: Bishop Carroll (6) 14-4; Elk County Catholic (9) 13-5; Faith Christian (1) 12-5; Greenwood (3) 16-2; High Point Baptist (3) 14-2; Keystone (9) 15-2; Reading Central Catholic (3) 15-5; Scotland (3) 12-4.

NOTES: An asterisk (*) denotes the 2007-08 PIAA champion. The number in parentheses corresponds to the team's PIAA district.