tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91058776532081380202009-10-29T09:50:00.439-04:00Gettin' SchooledA boys basketball blog hosted by Daily Times reporter Christopher A. VitoChris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-72405401368607467972009-10-22T20:30:00.004-04:002009-10-22T20:48:46.484-04:00BASKETBALL STARS THRIVE ON GRIDIRON<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/doc4abed00434873555420848-753514.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/doc4abed00434873555420848-753509.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />For hoop-heads like myself, it's always good to see a story like the one that appears in Friday's <span style="font-style:italic;">Daily Times</span>.<br /><br />Sports editor <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rob Parent</span> takes a look at Chester's <span style="font-weight:bold;">Laquan Robinson</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Mo Nelson</span> (pictured) - basketball players at heart who are suiting up for their school's football team, too. Robinson and Nelson, who represent the backcourt for Clippers coach <span style="font-weight:bold;">Larry Yarbray</span>, are expected to carry Chester High beyond the PIAA Class AAAA basketball quarterfinals. <br /><br />Parent also caught up with Penn Wood junior <span style="font-weight:bold;">Shawn Oakman</span>, a huge (and we mean huge) piece of football coach <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sam Mormando</span>'s team. Oakman, who measures to 6-9, was the starting center on hoops coach <span style="font-weight:bold;">Clyde Jones</span>' PIAA Class AAAA state-championship team last winter. On the football field, he lines up at tight end and defensive end.<br /><br />It's an interesting look at how, in an era that pushes student-athletes to specialize in one sport, several players are taking a pass on the norm. ...Only in Friday's <span style="font-style:italic;">Daily Times</span>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-7240540136860746797?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-20892655545689760432009-09-01T11:58:00.002-04:002009-09-01T12:07:24.040-04:002009 FOOTBALL PREVIEW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/corey-752161.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 166px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/corey-752151.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It's here. Almost. <div><br /></div><div>The high school football season is less than three days away, with almost every team in Delaware County kicking off Friday. (The others get into the action Saturday.) And the <i>Daily Times</i> is on top of everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what you'll find in this year's <b>High School Football Pullout</b> section:</div><div><ul><li>Team-by-team breakdowns.</li><li>Informative preview capsules.</li><li>Schedules, both weekly and by team.</li><li>The latest on Cardinal O'Hara's <b>Corey Brown</b> (above), the two-way back who is getting more than his share of mail lately from prospective colleges.</li><li>And more...</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Daily Times</i>' 2009 preview section hits newsstands Thursday.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2089265554568976043?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-73949915318601450232009-08-21T14:32:00.002-04:002009-08-21T14:35:40.615-04:00EX-HAVEN COACH LEWIS LANDS AT PENN WOOD<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>Steve Lewis</b> is back. It's not like he went anywhere; he still lives in Swarthmore. But the former Strath Haven boys basketball coach has been installed as an assistant at Penn Wood. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/calvin-newell-758112-769924.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">After heading the Panthers for four years, Lewis (pictured, with Haven 1,000-point scorer <b>Calvin Newell</b>) was removed from the team's top spot March 30 after recording a 34-65 record. He directed the Panthers to a 15-12 record last season, which featured a District One Class AAA runner-up finish and a berth in the second round of the PIAA tournament. It was their deepest postseason run in 12 seasons.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Lewis joins a talented coaching staff at Penn Wood, where he will serve under <b>Clyde Jones</b>. The others on Jones' PIAA Class AAAA championship-winning staff are <b>Matt Lindeman</b>, <b>Derek Jones</b>, <b>Con Kirkaldy</b>, <b>Dwight Maness</b> and school AD <b>Rap Curry</b>.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-7394991531860145023?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-23934807205961862922009-08-18T12:36:00.003-04:002009-08-18T12:49:52.487-04:00BACK TO WORK: FIRST DAYS OF PRACTICEIn case you didn't believe it to be true, it's finally here - the fall sports season. Pinch yourselves, people. In less than three weeks, school will be in season and our county's teams will be on the field playing games.<div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/fallgirls-793187.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>Yesterday, Daily Times staff writer <b>Matt Smith</b> and I ventured out to get the early scoop on the first day of practice around Delco. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>ON THE GIRLS SIDE... </b>Matt caught up with a <b>Cardinal O'Hara volleyball</b> team that feels like it has something to prove. After winning eight consecutive Catholic League championships, the Lions stumbled last season and allowed Archbishop Wood to take top billing.<br /><br /></div><div><b>ON THE BOYS SIDE...</b> I headed over to the Inter-Academic League boys soccer camp, a weeklong voluntary workout at The Haverford School. There, I caught up with Fords keeper and reigning All-Delco <b>Max Kurtzman</b>, who has done everything imaginable that a 16-year-old soccer player could achieve. And he still wants more. He doesn't want to settle for being No. 1 in just his league or this county.</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep an eye on the<i> Daily Time</i><i>s</i> for the latest on all of your favorite fall sports. Because remember: this is only the beginning.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2393480720596186292?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-80746306719376505892009-08-17T16:20:00.003-04:002009-08-17T16:26:53.454-04:00FALL PRACTICES BEGINOn your drive to work this morning, did you pass by any of Delaware County's many high schools? Did you spot any of the occupied ball fields? Student-athletes in jerseys? <div><br /></div><div>The fall season is upon us.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 192px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/33006013300601-743529.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>I don't know about the Delco readership, but my summer was a fantastic one. It's a shame to see it creeping toward a close. On the other hand, it brings us to the opening of the fall sports season.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the <i>Daily Times</i>, we've already got the wheels in motion on our annual high school football preview section. With the other sports, however, they will be highlighted in Tuesday's newspapers.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Harry Chaykun</b> was out and about covering the girls side and I was at The Haverford School for the Inter-Ac Boys Soccer camp, where reigning All-Delco goalkeeper <b>Max Kurtzman</b> (pictured) was putting on a display.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pick up a copy of the <i>Daily Times</i> to read more about the fall sports season.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-8074630671937650589?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-37538123751732059262009-07-10T13:05:00.004-04:002009-07-10T13:25:33.197-04:00O'HARA'S CARZO GETS A SHOT WITH PHILADELPHIA FLYERS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/carzo2-784747.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/carzo2-784230.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>There's a scar on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Rocco Carzo</span>'s left wrist. No larger in circumference than a pencil's eraser, it easily could be covered by a standard wrist watch.<div><br /></div><div>It's Carzo's battlescar. It reminds the gritty, hard-nosed <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Cardinal O'Hara </span>graduate of the work ethic that has gotten him this far - and what will get him even further - in professional hockey.</div><div><br /></div><div>I <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/07/10/sports/doc4a56cabe830e3990674817.txt">caught up with Carzo Thursday in Stone Harbor, N.J.</a>, where he was spending one day in his weeklong prospects camp with the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Philadelphia Flyers</span>. They had their rookies participate in a triathlon, during which Carzo ran four miles.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/carzo1-720111.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>He doesn't expect to get a contract out of it - considering he's only 19 and has a full scholarship to the University of Massachusetts. But in order to get back, to gain another invite to a pro camp, Carzo acknowledges he needs to improve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Carzo's answer was humbling, when asked to complete this sentence: "To be in this same position with the Flyers next summer, I need to work on...</div><div><br /></div><div>"Everything," he said. "I have to improve my overall game. People have always said I skate well. I need to pass better. I need to move the puck faster. Because when you're up here, you have to make decisions like that (snaps fingers)."</div><div><br /></div><div>He's a determined individual. Read about his journey only in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Daily Times</span>.</div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Photos of Carzo by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bill Guerro</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">, Special To The Times)</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-3753812375173205926?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-22530381660945755122009-07-05T17:50:00.007-04:002009-07-05T18:00:58.355-04:00HIGH SCHOOL NEWS & NOTESEven with school out for the last four weeks, there have been some goings-on with the high schools scene:<div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 200px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/avatar-731080.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>BOYS BASKETBALL</div><div>Strath Haven's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Avatar Jones</span> and Monsignor Bonner's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Brian Boyle</span>, pictured, joined the incoming class at the University of the Sciences. The backcourt duo will join seven others in coach <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">David Pauley</span>'s 2009 crop of recruits.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/brianboyle-769428.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>Pauley, a Ridley alumnus, found some <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/07/04/sports/high_school/doc4a4ed02d25c65593259361.txt">talent in his own backyard</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">****</div><div><br /></div><div>Elsewhere on the boys hoops front, Delaware County Christian hired a new head coach -- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Erick Woods</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A Saint Joseph's alumnus and a native of St. Louis, Mo., <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/07/03/sports/high_school/doc4a4d95439ded6978822065.txt">Woods takes over the Knights</a> in what will be his first venture into head coaching. He had served as an assistant at Bayard Rustin, Imhotep Charter and at Penn Wood, under <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Rap Curry</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">****</div><div style="text-align: left;">GOLF</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Jackie Calamaro</span> did not have a banner day at the U.S. Junior Girls Championship this week at Merion West, but her finish is something she hopes to build on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rising senior at Radnor, and a 2009 All-Delco selection, Calamaro placed 13th out of an international field of 36. She went <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/07/01/sports/high_school/doc4a4ad06fbf043675473905.txt">eight-over on the back nine</a>, after posting an impressive one-over on the first nine holes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">STAY CLOSE TO <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">GETTIN' SCHOOLED</span> ALL SUMMER FOR THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCENE.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2253038166094575512?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-5716837205749494552009-06-25T15:50:00.004-04:002009-06-25T15:57:52.942-04:00SUMMER IS UPON US<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px; " src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/mascioli-778255.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></span><br /><div>Summer - when the school days are as infrequent as blog posts.</div><div><br /></div><div>My apologies for not blogging as regularly during the spring season. I think the heat got to me. And the rain. And the exceptional (but exhausting) road to State College during the basketball season.</div><div><br /></div><div>In either case, please bookmark<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> Gettin' Schooled</span> and check back throughout the summer. While there is not nearly as much going on in the high school sports scene, there will be exceptions to those rules. Like the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Carpenter Cup Classic</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pictured above, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Nick Mascioli</span> of Delco Christian, made several diving, run-saving grabs in the Phillies-sponsored all-star tournament. He made one of them Wednesday, when his SOL National/Bicentennial team lost the championship game to Burlington County, 2-1. Staff writer <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">John Kopp</span> gave us <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/06/25/sports/high_school/doc4a42f2cd30a5d070182623.txt">an item following the title game</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a chance to catch up with Mascioli after the SOL/BAL team's 3-2 win Tuesday at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Citizens Bank Park</span>. <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/06/24/sports/high_school/doc4a41a1a5ed2b0314917899.txt">His star is certainly on the rise</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So don't be a stranger (even if your estranged blogger has been) at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Gettin' Schooled</span>.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-571683720574949455?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-24695213513714574712009-04-03T22:35:00.004-04:002009-04-03T22:53:17.884-04:00DONOFRIO QUARTERFINAL HAS DELAWARE COUNTY FLAIRIf you've never attended the <strong>Donofrio Classic</strong>, this week would be a great time to do so.<br /><br />It's a long-running single-elimination tournament that features the best players and the best AAU teams from Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey (and sometimes even the North Jersey/NYC suburbs).<br /><br />There's a nice twinbill this Wednesday, April 8:<br /><ul><li>I-3 All-Stars vs. Mainstreet, 7 p.m.</li><li>Sonny Hill Juniors vs. Positive Image, 8:30 p.m.</li></ul><br />The early game featuring nine players from Delaware County and three members of this year's All-Delco team. There are two starters from Archbishop Carroll's PIAA Class AAA championship team and four starters from Penn Wood's Class AAAA title team:<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreebrownsemis-752087.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreebrownsemis-751884.jpg" /></strong></a><u>MAINSTREET</u><br /><strong>Rahlir Jefferson</strong>, Sr. F, Chester *<br /><strong>Maurice Nelson</strong>, So. G, Chester<br /><strong>Tyree Johnson</strong>, Jr. G, Penn Wood * (pictured)<br /><strong>Duane Johnson</strong>, Sr. F, Penn Wood *<br /><strong>Shawn Oakman</strong>, So. C, Penn Wood<br /><strong>Thomas White</strong>, Sr. F, Penn Wood<br /><strong>Aaron Brown</strong>, So. F, Penn Wood<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/kasheeffestussemis-789846.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/kasheeffestussemis-789668.jpg" /></a><u>I-3 ALL-STARS</u><br /><strong>Andre Wilburn</strong>, Sr. F, Archbishop Carroll<br /><strong>Kasheef Festus</strong>, Sr. C, Archbishop Carroll (pictured)<br /><br />The later game has just one county player – Episcopal Academy’s sophomore center <strong>Isaiah Baker</strong>, whose Sonny Hill Juniors take on Positive Image in an 8:30 p.m. tipoff.<br />Note: An asterisk (*) signifies All-Delco status.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong># # # </strong></div><br />Two Delco teams were shown some love in recent national basketball polls.<br /><br /><strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> is ranked fifth in the Northeast Region (Pa., N.Y., N.J. and New England) by PrepNation.com. The PIAA Class AAA champion Patriots are three spots ahead of league rival, eighth-ranked <strong>Neumann-Goretti</strong>.<br /><br />In USA Today’s East Region poll, <strong>Penn Wood</strong> garnered a No. 7 ranking. Though inactive, the PIAA Class AAAA champion Patriots moved up from last week’s No. 8 rank<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2469521351371457471?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-122441901148501762009-04-01T10:16:00.007-04:002009-04-01T10:30:09.954-04:00TYREE JOHNSON: '09 DAILY TIMES PLAYER OF THE YEAR<a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreejohnsonpoy-730103.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreejohnsonpoy-730087.jpg" border="0" /></a>The <strong>All-Delco boys basketball team</strong> was unveiled in Wednesday's <em>Daily Times</em>. And based on the graphic at right - and the headline above - you should already know that Penn Wood junior point guard <strong>Tyree Johnson</strong> is the <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/04/01/news/doc49d2e11db8781277012465.txt">2009 Player of the Year</a>.<br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreejohnsonpoy-730103.jpg"></a><br />Johnson led the Patriots to their first PIAA Class AAAA championship and a Del Val League championship. Along the way, he became the county's best point guard and demonstrated the uncanny ability to make everyone around him play better, resulting in the school's first championship of any kind since 1992.<br /><br />Four Patriots averaged in double figures this season - including Johnson - and two of them improved their scoring tallies significantly in the state playoffs. All thanks to Johnson's play, thus earning him the honor of Daily Times Player of the Year.<br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/tyreejohnsonpoy-730103.jpg"></a><br />Here's the rest of <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/04/01/sports/high_school/doc49d2dbae17480867399768.txt">the All-Delco team</a>:<br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/djirvingstates-769883.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 88px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/djirvingstates-769880.jpg" border="0" /></a>D.J. Irving</strong>, Jr. PG, Archbishop Carroll (pictured)</li><li><strong>Calvin Newell</strong>, Sr. SG, Strath Haven</li><li><strong>Aaric Murray</strong>, Sr. C, Glen Mills</li><li><strong>Duane Johnson</strong>, Sr. F, Penn Wood</li><li><strong>Rahlir Jefferson</strong>, Sr. F, Chester</li></ul>*Murray and Johnson are repeat All-Delco selections.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong># # # #</strong></div><br />It's been a while since I last posted - following state-championship lag from State College - here's a quick-hitting recap of what you might have missed:<br /><ul><li>Former Chester coach <strong>Fred Pickett</strong> has <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/26/news/doc49caf387dd101668336157.txt">thrown his hat</a> into the political ring. He will launch a campaign for a city council spot.</li><li>Penn Wood coach <strong>Clyde Jones</strong> was named the PIAA Class AAAA <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/31/sports/high_school/doc49d1895b99a61969575578.txt">Coach of the Year</a>. Seven Delco players earned state honors, too.</li><li>Three-time All-Delco <strong>Tyreke Evans</strong> told FoxSports.com that he plans <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/31/sports/doc49d2e791f37eb367809885.txt">to leave Memphis</a> to declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft.</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-12244190114850176?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-7775775358601923862009-03-21T23:15:00.004-04:002009-03-21T23:24:03.787-04:00PENN WOOD, CARROLL EACH CLAIM STATE TITLES<a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/pennwoodfinal3-784626.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/pennwoodfinal3-784537.jpg" /></a><br />The basketball season is over, but not before three Delaware County teams brought home state championships.<br /><br /><strong>Penn Wood</strong>, picked as favorites at season's outset, stepped up to that high praise and claimed the Class AAAA crown by topping William Penn-York, 72-53, at Penn State's <strong>Bryce Jordan Center</strong> Saturday.<br /><br />Senior All-Delco <strong>Duane Johnson</strong> and sophomore <strong>Aaron</strong> <strong>Brown</strong> chipped in with 20 points apiece, <strong>Tyree Johnson</strong> had 14 and <strong>Will Brown</strong> added 12 for the Patriots, who wrapped up their first state-title season with a 28-4 record.<br /><br />The <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> boys did it Friday, then the girls followed suit by beating Lampeter-Strasburg for the Class AAA championship.<br /><br /><strong>Erin Shields</strong> and <strong>Hollie Mershon</strong> each put in 13 points for the Patriots, who finished their season 30-1 with the 68-45 rout of the Pioneers. <strong>Kerri Shields</strong> tallied 12 in the last game of her fantastic Carroll career.<br /><br />That's all there is to report from Happy Valley. Make sure to read it all in the <em>Sunday Times</em> and thanks for your readership through basketball season, both at <em><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/blog.html">Gettin' Schooled</a></em> and <em><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/dtsport/blog.html">Live at the PIAA Championships</a></em>.<br /><br />The spring sports season is here, but I need a blogging breather. I'll take a few days off from the blogosphere but keep reading the <em>Daily Times</em> until I get back.<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/archgcarrollfinal1-763393.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/archgcarrollfinal1-763285.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-777577535860192386?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-43611563565494981362009-03-21T09:32:00.003-04:002009-03-21T09:43:57.593-04:00THE LATEST FROM STATE COLLEGE<a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/carrollfinal2-781447.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/carrollfinal2-781148.jpg" /></a><br /><div>One team is coming home with the hardware. The other one had a hard night.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong>'s boys basketball team claimed the PIAA Class AAA title over Greensburg-Salem (<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/21/sports/doc49c4724dc4e71485169813.txt">game story</a>). The Patriots said afterward that their rigorous schedule - which featured three games vs. Neumann-Goretti and meetings with Roman Catholic and Norristown - got them ready for this stage (<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/21/sports/high_school/doc49c472990e5c2891326723.txt">sidebar</a>).</div><div> </div><div>For <strong>Cardinal O'Hara</strong>, the trip to Penn State wasn't so memorable. The Lions girls basketball team lost to unbeaten Mt. Lebanon in the PIAA Class AAAA final (<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/21/sports/high_school/doc49c4733611162449010499.txt">game story</a>). A magical end to the Lions' season was not meant to be. Once ranked No. 1 nationally, the Lions lost star center Steph Holzer in the third quarter before losing the game (<a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/21/sports/high_school/doc49c45c2543829446875976.txt">column</a>).</div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong># # # #</strong></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/dtsport/blog.html">For all the latest from Happy Valley - and live blogs of tonight's games - check out our PIAA Championships blog</a>.</div><div> </div><div>There, you will find up-to-the-minute updates by the <em>Daily Times</em> staff on Archbishop Carroll's bid for the PIAA Class AAA girls title and Penn Wood's claim on the PIAA Class AAAA boys crown.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-4361156356549498136?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-58887652386695325012009-03-20T00:02:00.002-04:002009-03-20T00:09:13.334-04:00NEW CHAMPIONSHIP BLOG, FOR YOUR READING PLEASUREI think it goes without saying that Delaware County has <u>never</u> had four teams playing for PIAA basketball championships. So the higher-ups at the Daily Times decided to create a blog for this weekend's big games.<br /><br />Thus <em><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/dtsport/blog.html">Live at the PIAA Championships</a></em> was born.<br /><br />The <em>Daily Times</em> staff that is <strong>Bryce Jordan Center</strong>-bound will be posting throughout the weekend with random musings, score updates and everything you need to know from Happy Valley. Of course, I'll be posting all weekend on <em>Gettin' Schooled</em>, but please give some love to <em>Live at the PIAA Championships</em>, where you'll find me, columnist <strong>John Lohn</strong> and girls basketball writer <strong>Harry Chaykun</strong> typing away at PSU.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong># # # #</strong></div><br /><em>Last installment before hitting the road for PSU. Safe travels to everyone heading up there for the weekend: </em><br />Nervous? Who's nervous?<br /><br /><strong>Andre Wilburn</strong> isn't. The senior captain for <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> tells all of his teammates (somewhat jokingly, of course) that he hasn't been nervous since playing in eighth grade. His AAU career has taken him to Duke's Cameron Indoor Arena and North Carolina's Dean Smith Center. With the Patriots, he's played at the Palestra.<br /><br />If only for what's at stake, it doesn't get any bigger than Penn State's <strong>Bryce Jordan Center</strong>, Wilburn said. So will he be nervous on the bus ride up to State College?<br /><br />"I think I will, but all the guys will talk for a little bit and then everybody will put their iPods in and just relax," Wilburn said earlier this week. ",I'll put on a little <strong>Jay-Z</strong>, some <strong>Li'l Wayne</strong>. None of the new stuff - well, maybe some - but mostly the older stuff. <br /><br />Wilburn likes Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' and 'The Black Album' as inspirational music before a game. "But I have to watch," he said. "Sometimes, they take the iPod away from me because I get too hyped up before a game."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-5888765238669532501?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-8584942801675303242009-03-19T20:40:00.001-04:002009-03-19T20:43:59.420-04:00ARCH. CARROLL PLAYING WITH PURPOSE IN PIAAs<strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> is playing for a championship Friday. It's not the championship the Patriots perennially focus on, but it's a championship nonetheless.<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/djirvingsemis-755852.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/djirvingsemis-755831.jpg" /></a>The end-all, be-all of the Catholic League is the league crown. If you don't win one, you're season is a failure. But when the CL joined the PIAA this season, suddenly there's another reason to play.<br /><br />At Wednesday's practice, I asked a couple of the guys about whether they think their head coach - <strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Romanczuk</strong>, who played for the Carroll team that won the Catholic League title in 1995 - is enjoying this state-title push more than the league-title season during his playing career:<br /><br />Junior guard <strong>D.J. Irving</strong> (pictured): "He talked about the Catholic League championship he had and how special it was for him. We couldn't get that for him, so hopefully we can get this one for him. I think this (stretch) has been more fun for him, as a coach."<br /><br />Senior forward <strong>Pat Daly</strong>: "You might have to ask him about that. If I had to answer, I'd say yeah he is having more fun this year. He feels really close to this team. He believes in us and has been pulling for us. He wants to see us go out winners."<br /><br />Senior captain <strong>Andre Wilburn</strong>: "He's excited. We're all excited. We just have to get up there and take care of business and win the medal."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-858494280167530324?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-17561895958643031002009-03-19T11:26:00.003-04:002009-03-19T11:33:12.728-04:00JOHNSON DRAWS TECH FOR DUNK IN STATE SEMIS<strong>Duane Johnson</strong> dunks so often, he usually does not think twice about it. The Penn Wood captain had to Wednesday night in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/duanejohnsonn-729381.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/duanejohnsonn-729369.jpg" /></a>The senior forward, pictured, drew a technical foul when he dunked on Mt. Lebanon five minutes into the Patriots' 79-58 win over the Blue Devils. A second T would have made him ineligible for Saturday's title game, so Johnson had to pull back on his second dunk later on.<br /><br />There's a chance that the tech was issued because the folks at Big Spring High School, the site of the game, don't see dunks all that often. Big Spring's public-address announcer <strong>Wes Bawer</strong> asked media members who cover Penn Wood, "Are we going to see some slamma-jammas tonight?"<br /><br />According to Bawer, only one player had dunked in Big Spring's six-year-old gymnasium. It occurred during a holiday tournament and the slam was by a Muhlenberg High player. Wondering if there would be multiple dunks, Bawer concluded, "I don't think the backboards can stand more than one."<br /><br />Johnson dunked once more, teammate <strong>Shawn Oakman</strong> threw one down and a Mt. Lebanon player softly rattled the rim in the second half, with the rout already in progress.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-1756189595864303100?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-8525414490355379072009-03-18T21:18:00.002-04:002009-03-18T21:22:26.447-04:00PENN WOOD, ARCH. CARROLL ADVANCE TO PIAA FINALSThe field is complete.<br /><br />Delaware County has gone a perfect 4-for-4 in sending its playoff teams to the PIAA state basketball championship games. <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> boys and <strong>Cardinal O'Hara</strong> girls won Tuesday to do it, then <strong>Penn Wood</strong> boys and Archbishop Carroll girls joined the party.<br /><br />Perfect was the talk around Penn Wood Wednesday. Sophomore <strong>Aaron Brown</strong> went 10-for-10 from the floor, scored 22 points and led the Patriots past Mt. Lebanon, 79-58, at Big Spring High School in Newville. The Pats will play York in the Class AAAA final Saturday.<br /><br />At Reading's Geigle Complex, the Carroll girls punched their PIAA title-game ticket by getting past Trinity, 49-45. The Patriots will take on either Lampeter-Strasburg or General McLane (the game wasn't decided as of this post) Saturday night in the Class AAA title tilt at Penn State's <strong>Bryce Jordan Center</strong>.<br /><br />More to come in Thursday's Daily Times. Again, we have to get on the road. (It's a 2-hour, 45-minute drive from Big Spring.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-852541449035537907?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-15223769369338498392009-03-17T22:02:00.002-04:002009-03-17T22:05:15.204-04:00ARCH. CARROLL BEATS YORK, PUNCHES TICKET TO PSUIt's official: the <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> boys basketball team is headed to the PIAA Class AAA championship game. The Patriots ended York Suburban's season with a 65-57 win at Reading's Geigle Complex.<br /><br />That puts the Patriots, who are new to this state-playoff thing, in the final.<br /><br />In the girls <strong>Class AAAA semifinal</strong>:<br />Cardinal O'Hara knocked off Downingtown East to punch its state-final ticket. The Patriots' boys team and the Lions' girls team will play Friday night at PSU's Bryce Jordan Center.<br /><br />More to come in Wednesday's <em>Daily Times</em>. (Got to get in the car and head home from Reading...)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-1522376936933849839?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-28025237469848880002009-03-17T14:33:00.004-04:002009-03-17T14:51:23.923-04:00CLIPPERS, COMMUNITY RALLYING BEHIND REEMYAn unfortunate incident plagued the <strong>Chester</strong> Clippers basketball team this winter. One of their players - freshman reserve <strong>Kareem Robinson</strong> - was wounded in the lower back by gunfire Feb. 10.<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/kareemrobinson-735734.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/kareemrobinson-735731.jpg" border="0" /></a>Robinson, who missed the remainder of the Clippers' season, spoke to the <em>Daily Times</em> for <a href="http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/17/sports/doc49bf118bbe0f5987784451.txt">an exclusive look into his recovery</a> process.<br /><br />According to Robinson, it won't be an arduous one for the 5-7, 125-pound point guard, who is already back in the gym shooting and has a tremendous support system behind him. Fans, coaches and teammates met Robinson in his hospital room the night of the shooting, and have been by his side ever since.<br /><br />Kareem's big brother <strong>Laquan Robinson</strong> (pictured, background) misses playing with Kareem. So did the rest of the Clippers. "Because I couldn't play," Kareem Robinson said, "we talked basketball all the time. That's all we could do."<br /><br />Kareem Robinson was on the bench for the Clippers' seven playoff games (five district, two state), including their season-ending 62-49 loss to Williamsport March 11. Who knows how far the Clippers could have gone with their sparkplug freshman in the rotation? He posted some strong numbers in his first season at Chester. Here are his per-game averages: 6.1 points, 2.8 steals, 2.2 assists, 2.0 rebounds.<br /><br />Robinson is on his way to a complete recovery.<br /><br />"We missed him a lot," Chester coach <strong>Larry Yarbray</strong> said, "but he'll be back for us next year. He's still smiling. ... The important thing for him was understanding that he's in the Chester Clippers' family. Once you're in the family, you're always in the family."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2802523746984888000?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-52087320499603192822009-03-17T11:03:00.003-04:002009-03-17T11:10:38.003-04:00ON DECK: MT. LEBANON, LIKE PENN WOOD, CAN RALLY<a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/evanpierce-718949.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/evanpierce-718946.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Penn Wood</strong>'s opponent Wednesday in the <strong>PIAA Class AAAA</strong> semifinal has made a habit of rallying in games. <strong>Mt. Lebanon</strong>, of Pittsburgh and District 7, posted a comeback win over quarterfinal draw Erie <strong>Cathedral Prep</strong>, 51-41.<br /><br />Here's how the Blue Devils (24-5) did it:<br /><u>Exhibit A.</u> <strong>Evan Pierce</strong> (pictured), a junior guard who scored zero points in the first half, went off for 15 in the final nine minutes of the game.<br /><br /><u>Exhibit B</u>. <strong>Deion Turman</strong>, a junior 6-8 center, posted an all-around game - with seven points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. He also threw down a dunk with 2:57 remaining, one that broke open the game and broke Erie's hopes.<br /><br />Apparently, Turman's size is not a fluke. The entire lineup has a lot of size, much like Penn Wood's. In that regard, the cross-state opponents will match up well.<br /><br />And then there's that rallying thing. Let's not forget that Penn Wood erased <strong>Pennsbury</strong>'s 16-minute lead midway through the third quarter to advance to this round, the Western State title game.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-5208732049960319282?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-88524449749489109102009-03-16T21:42:00.002-04:002009-03-16T21:46:53.126-04:00ON DECK: YORK SUBURBAN, CARROLL AT THEIR BESTWhen <strong>York Suburban</strong> and <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> go at it Tuesday in a <strong>PIAA Class AAA</strong> semifinal, they very well may be catching each other at their hottest.<br /><br /><a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/juanya-722889.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/juanya-722886.jpg" border="0" /></a>I don't need to tell you about Carroll (26-3), which stunned league rival and perennial thorn-in-side <strong>Neumann-Goretti</strong>. But the Trojans (27-3) looked their best in their Round 3, 47-35 win over District 2 champ <strong>Crestwood</strong>.<br /><br />Consider that the Trojans:<br /><ul><li>Scored 16 of the game's first 18 points</li><li>Led by as many as 19 points</li><li>Limited Crestwood to 14-of-35 shooting</li><li>Held a 28-18 advantage in rebounds</li><li>Forced 18 turnovers</li></ul><br />Those are all impressive numbers, but how about this one: Crestwood finished the year having held opponents under 50 points in 25 of their 29 games. What does that tell me? That York Suburban (which scored only 47) was able to play someone else's game and still win.<br /><br />The Trojans weren't all that intimidating when I saw them against <strong>Strath Haven</strong> in the second round. They don't have much size or much speed. They play a balanced team game. Expect at least three guys to hit double figures in scoring. The Patriots will need to spread the ball, too, so count on their All-Catholic backcourt of <strong>D.J. Irving</strong> and <strong>Juan'ya Green </strong>(pictured) to carry the load.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-8852444974948910910?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-24998971062924331212009-03-15T14:04:00.004-04:002009-03-15T14:12:42.382-04:00GAS UP, DELCO: YOU'RE GOING WEST ... OR NORTHThe PIAA unveiled its state-semifinal sites and times for this week. And they favor the local gas stations. Looks like everyone will be driving at least 45 minutes to see any of Delco's four remaining basketball teams.<br /><br /><strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> fans caught the luckiest of breaks. Both the boys and girls teams are playing only a 70-minute drive away, in Reading, on separate nights. It's even better for <strong>Cardinal O'Hara</strong> girls fans, who only have a 45-minute drive to endure to Ro-Fo.<br /><br />Sorry, <strong>Penn Wood</strong> backers. You (and your favorite boys basketball beat writer) are making the 2-hour, 45-minute commute out west. Newville, by my estimations, is about 15 miles west of Harrisburg. Should (not) be a fun drive.<br /><br />Here are the details you need to know:<br /><br /><u>Tuesday</u><br /><strong>Class AAA Boys</strong>: Archbishop Carroll vs. York Suburban<br />***At Reading High's Geigle Complex, 7:30 p.m.<br /><br /><strong>Class AAAA Girls</strong>: Cardinal O'Hara vs. Downingtown East<br />***At Spring-Ford High, Royersford, 7 p.m.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong># # # #</strong></div><br /><u>Wednesday</u><br /><strong>Class AAAA Boys</strong>: Penn Wood vs. Mount Lebanon<br />***At Big Spring High, Newville, 7 p.m.<br /><br /><strong>Class AAA Girls</strong>: Archbishop Carroll vs.<br />***At Reading High's Geigle Complex, 6 p.m.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2499897106292433121?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-511540282738782732009-03-14T19:16:00.005-04:002009-03-14T19:29:06.603-04:00MOVING ON: CARROLL GIRLS, PENN WOOD BOYSAt Villanova's Pavilion, two of Delaware County's remaining playoff basketball teams moved on to their respective brackets' semifinals. Here are some final scores:<br /><br /><div align="center"><u>BOYS PIAA CLASS AAAA</u></div><div align="center">Penn Wood 54, </div><div align="center">Pennsbury 50</div><u>Notes</u>: <strong>Duane Johnson</strong> scored 16, <strong>Aaron Brown</strong> had 13, and <strong>Tyree Johnson</strong> added 11 more for the Patriots, who advanced to the state semifinal round for only the second time in school history.<br /><br /><div align="center"><u>GIRLS PIAA CLASS AAA</u></div><div align="center">Archbishop Carroll 56, </div><div align="center">Mount St. Joseph 35</div><u>Notes</u>: <strong>Kerri Shields</strong>, who had only four points at halftime, struck for five 3-pointers after the break to lead the Patriots past the defending state champions.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong># # # #</strong></div><br />So here's what next week's schedule looks like. Sites and times have not been announced. For whatever reason, the PIAA site has not been updated with the same rapidity as in earlier rounds (Go figure. It should be easier. There are fewer teams to deal with.) In any case, a preliminary schedule:<br /><br />Tuesday:<br /><ul><li>Archbishop Carroll boys vs. York Suburban</li><li>Cardinal O'Hara girls vs. Downingtown West</li></ul>Wednesday:<br /><ul><li>Penn Wood boys vs. Mount Lebanon</li><li>Archbishop Carroll girls vs. Trinity</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-51154028273878273?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-89040821363794806872009-03-13T21:58:00.002-04:002009-03-13T22:04:23.147-04:00CARROLL STUNS NEUMANN IN STATE SEMIFINALIn 32 minutes Friday night, <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> went from PIAA Class AAA dark horse to favorite in the state playoffs.<br /><br />The Patriots did the unthinkable and dispatched <strong>Neumann-Goretti</strong>, 70-65, in a quarterfinal at Archbishop Ryan High School. They move on to the semifinal round against York Suburban.<br /><br />To get there, the Patriots needed to beat a team they hadn't since 2001. The District 12 and Catholic League champs, the Saints held an 18-game winning streak over the Pats' heads. This is the same N-G team that is ranked No. 1 in the PIAA by the Harrisburg Patriot News and No. 14 nationally by ESPN. Even though Carroll is the state's No. 2 team, this is considered a monumental upset and a huge step forward for Carroll coach <strong>Paul Romanczuk</strong>'s program.<br /><br /><strong>D.J. Irving</strong> had 26 points, leading a quartet of Carroll scorers in double figures.<br /><br />More to come in Saturday's <em>Daily Times</em>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-8904082136379480687?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-29151961417104072962009-03-12T10:07:00.004-04:002009-03-12T10:17:16.144-04:00PATRIOTS: DELCO'S SOLE SURVIVORS IN PIAA PLAYOFFS<a href="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/shawnoakman2-766716.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 210px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/blogs/delcotimes/cvito/uploaded_images/shawnoakman2-766478.jpg" /></a>When <strong>Penn Wood</strong> knocked off Bartram Wednesday night, the reality set it: the Patriots are Delco's sole survivors in the state playoffs.<br /><br />Well, sort of.<br /><br />You've got the Penn Wood Patriots in the Class AAAA bracket and the <strong>Archbishop Carroll</strong> Patriots in the Class AAA field. Penn Wood beat Bartram, <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/12/sports/doc49b88884c7c35756640705.txt">78-53</a>, at O'Hara, and Chester bowed out of the AAAA tournament with a <a href="http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/03/12/sports/high_school/doc49b87aca265d3172511514.txt">62-49</a> loss to Williamsport.<br /><br />It seems like both teams have their stiffest tests yet in this weekend's quarterfinal round. The Lansdowne Pats will face <strong>Pennsbury</strong> in a Saturday tilt that is without a site or time. The Main Line Pats will see league rival <strong>Neumann-Goretti</strong> at Archbishop Ryan at 7 p.m. Friday.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-2915196141710407296?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9105877653208138020.post-84920898902361266682009-03-11T12:56:00.002-04:002009-03-11T12:59:37.967-04:00ALL-STAR LABOR CLASSIC ROSTERS UNVEILEDOne of the best all-star games around – the <strong>All-Star Labor Classic</strong> – announced its rosters Wednesday. The game, which benefits United Cerebral Palsy, will be held Sunday, April 5, at La Salle’s Tom Gola Arena. It follows the Suburban vs. City format.<br /><br /><a href="http://media.philly.com/images/rahlirjefferson.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 311px" alt="" src="http://media.philly.com/images/rahlirjefferson.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Suburban team, coached by Glen Mills’ <strong>Craig Mellinger</strong> and Conestoga’s <strong>Mike Troy</strong>, features nine players from Delaware County (including three from Penn Wood):<br /><br /><u>SUBURBAN BOYS</u><br /><strong>Cory Goodman</strong>, G, Episcopal Academy<br /><strong>Marvin Holman</strong>-Little, F, Penncrest<br /><strong>Rahlir Jefferson</strong>, F, Chester (pictured)<br /><strong>Duane Johnson</strong>, F, Penn Wood<br /><strong>Aaric Murray</strong>, C, Glen Mills<br /><strong>Calvin Newell</strong>, G, Strath Haven<br /><strong>Khayri West</strong>, G, Upper Darby<br /><strong>Thomas White</strong>, F, Penn Wood<br /><strong>Chris White</strong>, G, Penn Wood<br /><br /><u>CITY BOYS</u><br /><strong>Kasheef Festus</strong>, C, Archbishop Carroll<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9105877653208138020-8492089890236126668?l=www3.allaroundphilly.com%2Fblogs%2Fdelcotimes%2Fcvito%2Fblog.html'/></div>Chris Vitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07732720565922646131gettingschooled@gmail.com1