The two Lehigh Valley-area boys basketball teams playing on Tuesday night in the PIAA tournament are getting rematches.<\/p>\n
Suffice to say, however, that Bethlehem Christian\u2019s rematch with Sankofa Freedom in the second round of the Class 1A tournament is a bit fresher in the hearts and minds of the Panthers.<\/p>\n
It was just last year when Sankofa beat Bethlehem Christian 75-66 in the same round in the tournament. It was a defeat that motivated the Panthers throughout the offseason and a season which has resulted in a 26-2 record, a second straight District 11 title and a PIAA first-round win.<\/p>\n
At 6 p.m. Tuesday at Souderton High School, Bethlehem Christian\u2019s wait for a second chance at Sankofa is over as the teams meet again in the Class A round-of-16.<\/p>\n
Salisbury is also getting a rematch of its last state playoff loss, a 99-46 defeat to Scranton Prep in 2017. The Falcons, the No. 3 entry out of District 11, will play the District 2 champions at 7:30 Tuesday night in a Class 4A second-round game at Pleasant Valley.<\/p>\n
Both Bethlehem Christian coach Matt DeJesus and Salisbury mentor Jason Weaver know their teams face major challenges, but both are excited for the challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played Scranton Prep at Marywood University, and they took it to us,\u201d Weaver said. \u201cI have been watching them on film and they\u2019re big, but they\u2019re really quick. In some instances, our game against West Philly on Friday night, prepared us a little bit for Scranton Prep, but these guys are much better shooters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Salisbury\u2019s 54-45 win over West Philly in Friday\u2019s first round was its first state tournament win since a 65-60 victory over Delone Catholic in the second round of the 2001.<\/p>\n
It was a special moment for a senior-laden team that has not given up after suffering frustrating losses to Northwestern Lehigh in the league semis and to Allentown Central Catholic in the district\u2019s final four.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids were pumped up, and it was a great locker room after the game,\u201d Weaver said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had some tough losses in the playoffs, but to go on the road and get a win in states in Philly was awesome. They played really well. They played with a lot of composure, didn\u2019t take bad shots and Lozada was awesome. He had nine rebounds to go along with 25 points, and he controlled everything for us. We worked for good shots and made 10 3s.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weaver said that his team has been in every game it has played but unfortunately lost some close ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal on Tuesday night is to be in that game late and give ourselves a shot,\u201d Weaver said. \u201cWe\u2019re happy with the site. We were on the bus for an hour and 50 minutes to get to Philly on Friday with all of the traffic. Then it took us about 20 minutes to get through the security. So, going to Pleasant Valley is nice. It\u2019s in District 11 and it\u2019s a gym I have been in before and I think most of our guys have been in there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Bethlehem Christian has a little bit further of a ride to Souderton, but the Panthers don\u2019t care where the game is being played. They are focused on the opposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready to play for sure,\u201d said coach Matt DeJesus. \u201cWe look back on last year and feel it was a game we should have won. We had opportunities to win. We made a couple of mental mistakes in the third quarter and that cost us. We didn\u2019t shoot well from the line either. So, there were a couple of things we talked about all season. We have to be better with turnovers and be better on defense. When we get to the line, we have to shoot well and not let free points out there. We can\u2019t take plays off if we get a little bit of a lead. We have to finish games out.\u201d<\/p>\n
DeJesus said he\u2019s looking forward to the game but has great respect for Sankofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to rebound and we can\u2019t turn the ball over and stay out of foul trouble,\u201d DeJesus said. \u201cTheir graduated a couple of guys from last year, but they are very similar to last year. They have height and they can shoot and they bring the pressure on defense.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hope is that the strong nonleague schedule Bethlehem Christian played will have them ready for the challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis team reminds me a lot of Executive with how they play,\u201d DeJesus said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we played those out-of-league games to get us ready for districts and states. I think our guys are ready. There\u2019s going to be a lot of excitement. We just have to be able finish this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
PIAA Class 4A second-round<\/p>\n
Who: Salisbury (District 11, No. 3, 24-4) vs. Scranton Prep (District 2 champ, 21-5)<\/p>\n
When\/where: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Valley High School.<\/p>\n
At stake: Winner plays either Devon Prep (District 12, No. 4, 6-18) or Valley View (District 2, No. 3, 20-6) in Friday\u2019s Class 4A quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
SALISBURY<\/p>\n
Coach: Jason Weaver\u00a0(18th season, 267-174)<\/p>\n
How they got here: Beat North Schuylkill 51-42 in D11 3rd-place game; beat West Philadelphia 54-45 in first-round of state tournament.<\/p>\n
Players to watch:\u00a0Bryan Gonzalez (6-0, Sr. G) 6.4 ppg; Steven Lozada (6-2, Sr. G) 15.0 ppg; Julian Makhoul (6-3, Jr. F) 11.9 ppg; Drew Petrie (5-11, Sr. G) 9.7 ppg; Garrett Leiner (6-0, Jr. G) 8.3 ppg; Keaton Frye (6-1, Jr. F)\u00a0 Riley Cady (5-11, Jr. G) 2.3 ppg.<\/p>\n
About the Falcons: Average 56.0 ppg, allow 44.2 \u2026 The win over West Philadelphia gave program its first PIAA win since a 65-60 win over Delone Catholic in the second round of the 2001 2A tournament. \u2026 Own a 9-20 all-time state playoff record \u2026 Lozada scored 25 points in the win over West Philly, including nine in the fourth quarter. Falcons made 10 3-pointers, including three by Petrie and two apiece by Lozada, Leiner and Gonzalez. \u2026 Four losses have come by a total of 20 points with two playoff losses by a combined six points.<\/p>\n
SCRANTON PREP\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coach: Larry Reagan (third season)<\/p>\n
How they got here: Beat Dallas 67-52 in the District 2 title game; beat Schuylkill Valley, District 3\u2019s No. 3, 65-48, in the first round of the state tournament.<\/p>\n
Players to watch: Packy Doherty (6-2, Sr. G) 22.2 ppg; Brody Martin (6-1, Sr. G) 11.9 ppg; Chicky Skoff (5-10, Soph. G) 9.2 ppg; Max McGrath (6-3, Jr. F) 5.4 ppg, Charlie Skoff (6-1, Jr. G-F), 5.2 ppg.<\/p>\n
About the Cavaliers: Won their eighth District 2 Class 4A championship since 2016-17. \u2026 Got 28 points from Chicky Skoff in the district title game and 20 points and 11 rebounds from Doherty, who followed it up with 25 points in the first round of the PIAA against Schuylkill Valley. Martin added 14 and Charlie Skoff chipped in 10 in the state tournament win \u2026 Own a 30-26 all-time in the state playoffs and have won in the first round in four straight seasons. \u2026 Doherty has scored more than 1,000 career points and has 33 3-pointers in seven state playoff games. \u2026 Had nine 3-pointers as a team against Schuylkill Valley. \u2026 Lost to Berks Catholic 51-47 in the second round of last year\u2019s state tournament after beating Northwestern Lehigh 75-48 in the first round.<\/p>\n
Keith Groller\u2019s pick: Scranton Prep 60-53<\/p>\n
PIAA Class A second-round<\/p>\n
Who: Bethlehem Christian (District 11 champ, 26-2) vs. Sankofa Freedom (District 12 champ, 19-8)<\/p>\n
When\/where: 6 p.m. at Souderton High School<\/p>\n
At stake: Winner plays either York Country Day (District 3, No. 2, 22-4) or Chester Charter (District 1 champ, 19-6) in Friday\u2019s Class 1A quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN<\/p>\n
Coach: Matt DeJesus (fourth season, 87-24)<\/p>\n
How they got here: Beat Weatherly 86-56 for second straight District 11 title; beat Lourdes 86-56 in first round of the state tournament.<\/p>\n
Players to watch: Nick Kasper (5-9, Sr. G); Myles Harris (6-1, Sr. G); Gabe Transue (6-4, Sr. F); Caleb Brown (6-4, Sr. C); Deion Swift (6-1, Jr. G).<\/p>\n
About the Panthers: Average 77.3 ppg and 6.9 3-pointers per game. \u2026 In the win over Lourdes, Transue scored 38 points, after tallying 41 in the district final, and Harris added 28 points and six assists. \u2026 Transue now has 2,235 career points, which is second in Lehigh Valley boys basketball history behind only Catasauqua legend Larry Miller, who scored 2,722 points in a career that ended in 1974. Transyue also has 1,193 career rebounds \u2026 Bethlehem Christian is 3-3 all-time in the state tournament and has won first-round games three straight years. \u2026 Currently have a 14-game win streak after a 79-59 loss at Allentown Central Catholic on Jan. 10. Other loss was to Nazareth, 87-68, on Dec. 13. \u2026 Most impressive wins were over Catasauqua, Dieruff and Executive Education.<\/p>\n
SANKOFA FREEDOM<\/p>\n
Coach: Isaiah Thomas (16th year).<\/p>\n
How they got here: Beat MaST Community Charter 76-51 for district title; beat Dayspring Christian Academy 57-43 in state opener.<\/p>\n
Players to watch: Nafis Dubose (6-3, Sr. F) 15.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg; Nasir Brown (5-11, Sr. G) 8.9 ppg. 2.5 apg; Sammad Geary-West (6-4, So. F) 9.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg; Terrence Fortson (6-3, Jr. F) 4.9 ppg; Yasir Johnson (6-0 Sr. F) 5.2 ppg.<\/p>\n
About the Warriors: They are 18-8 all-time in the state tournament. \u2026 Lost to Neighborhood Academy 60-51 in last year\u2019s state final. \u2026 Won the state title in 2019. \u2026 Coach Thomas is also a member of Philadelphia City Council. \u2026 Last loss was to West Philadelphia, 48-42, on Feb. 12.<\/p>\n
Keith Groller\u2019s pick: Bethlehem Christian 67-66<\/p>\n
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