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PIAA Quarterfinal Predictions & Results by: James Nelson Stewart

PIAA QUARTERFINAL PREDICTIONS & RESULTS by: James Nelson Stewart
Things held serve in 5A generally. There were no upsets unless you consider Abington
Heights double overtime victory over Martin Luther King an upset.
I thought that game had a chance to be very close. Now 5A is going to get more
interesting with the match-ups that are present in Chester/Abington Heights,
Wood/Spring Grove and Northeastern York/Carroll. These games figure to be very
interesting, if not close. High major D1 guard match-ups through this bracket.
Underclassmen studs. This Elite 8 of 5A is ready for action. Let’s go through the lineup
of games.
Northeastern York (3-1 29-2) vs Carroll (12-3 20-8)
Do not look at the records and think that we have a mismatch here. These are 2 evenly
matched teams who rely heavily on outstanding guard play. Northeastern guard attack
features #5 Jr Antonio Rizzuto 6-2 (super athletic shooter), #11 Fr Fred Mulbah 5-9
(super quick aggressive guard), #1 Sr Brandon Coleman 6-2 (Super Athlete, plays well
above the rim),
#3 Sr. Austin Greene 5-10 (very quick and electric ball handler) and #12 Fr Nate Wilson
6-2 (shooter). This athletic bunch is aggressive and likes to cause havoc on the
defensive end. Runs
happen very swiftly with this group. They are running into a Carroll group that also is
guard heavy with a group that is battle tested from playing in the Philadelphia Catholic
League. Carroll
counters with Sr. G Colin Daly 6-5 (West Chester Commit and Sharpshooter), Sr. G
Khari Williams 6-4 (lefty guard with athletic ability), Sr. F Jesse McPherson 6-6 (jumping
jack)
Jr. G Justin Anderson 6-3 (Division 1 prospect) and FR. G A.J. Hoggard 6-3 (next
GREAT Philly area guard). Very close game that has the potential to be a barnburner
but the difference
this game is Hoggard. This Freshman guard has a chance to be VERY SPECIAL. His
feel for the game is advanced much beyond his years. His versatile game will give
Northeastern fits as Carroll moves on to the Final 4 of the state tournament.
Archbishop Ryan (12-3 22-6) vs Hempfield (3-2 21-9)
Can Hempfield, led by 6-5 Jr Ryan Moffatt, continue its Cinderella run to the title? After
2 tournament shaking upsets, Hempfield is gearing up to knock out Ryan. Ryan, my
sleeper pick, is a
team that seems to be ready for this challenge as they are led by 6-4 Sr Super guard
Izaiah “IZB” Brockington (NJIT Commit). This is where the clock strikes 12 for
Hempfield as Ryan pulls
out a close victory over this well coached physical team from Hempfield.
Emmaus (11-4 22-6) vs Carlisle (3-5 20-8)
WOW!!! That is the 1st word that comes to mind when I think of this guard matchup of
 Deshawn Millington, of Carlisle and the “TWINS” Matt and David Kacheries, of
Emmaus. Two teams that
have played and beat great teams throughout the season. Two teams with a rich
history of basketball success. Two teams whose ROLE players are crucial to their
teams successful run to
the Elite 8 of the state. This game has CLASSIC written all over it. But one team will
win and one teams season will end. I go back and forth on this one but I think Giant
slayer Emmaus wins this
nail biter.
Saturday’s Quarterfinal Results (3/18/17)
Archbishop Ryan 60-50
Carlisle 78-74 (2OT)
Pine Richland 64-58
Northeastern 86-84 (2OT)
Meadville 53-46
Quaker Valley 77-66
Strong Vincent 68-43
Cardinal Wueri NC 63-40
Lincoln Park 70-58
Math, Civics, Sciences 87-52
Sewickley Academy 61-46
Bishop Canevin 66-60
Girard College 75-72 (OT)
Faith Christian 44-43
Monessen 74-34
Kennedy Catholic 61-40