Pa. Boys: Christmas leads way in N. Catholic win

Rakeem Christmas opened the Catholic League Blue Division basketball season with a bang for North Catholic last night.

Christmas recorded a triple-double and led the Falcons past visiting Monsignor Bonner, 67-52, on the brand new floor at North's Pit.

Christmas contributed 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots for the Falcons, who pulled away in the third quarter with an 18-6 scoring run.

In another league game, Anthony Keiter struck for 23 points and propelled Archbishop Ryan to a 56-43 win over visiting Cardinal O'Hara.

Public. Tyrone Garland broke loose for 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and rallied Bartram to a 66-61 win over host Central.

Catholic Red. Adewunmi Barek earned a double-double and helped West Catholic get past visiting Bishop McDevitt, 60-45.

Barek scored 16 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and blocked five shots for the Burrs.

Suburban One National. John Thomas went 8 for 8 from the free throw line and scored 10 of his 23 points in the final quarter and led Council Rock South to a 73-68 win over host Abington.

In another league game, Dyron Edwards scored 20 points and led Bensalem past host Harry S Truman, 60-51.

Suburban One American. Dexter Bridge picked up 18 points as Upper Merion beat host Upper Moreland, 53-45, for its first win of the season.

Sam Pygatt paced a balanced Plymouth Whitemarsh scoring attack with 9 points and the Colonials held on to beat host Upper Dublin, 49-40.

Lorenzo Christmas came through with 19 points and sparked Norristown to a 62-39 win over host Wissahickon.

Bicentennial. Jordan Sbraccia dropped in 18 points and led Delco Christian past visiting Jenkintown, 64-61.

Christopher Dock took advantage of 30 Bristol turnovers and downed the host Warriors, 53-43.

Luke Moyer scored 19 points for the Pioneers.

Jeff Hughes accounted for 16 points and boosted Devon Prep past host Lower Moreland, 62-50.

Nonleague. Sam Kurtzman contributed 18 points and lifted Haverford School to a 35-29 win over host Interboro.

Mike Leithead scored 8 of his 11 points during a 10-0 St. Joseph's Prep scoring run in the third quarter and the Hawks went on to beat visiting Philadelphia Electrical, 56-44.

Episcopal Academy Tournament. Matt Lee scored 29 points and led Westtown to a 65-54 win over Landon School in a semifinal game.

Mercersburg Tournament. Pat Connaghan (17 points), Gary Lawrence (14 points) and Todd Cramer (13 points) combined to shoot 19 for 22 from the floor and led Chestnut Hill Academy past host Mercersburg, 58-45, in a first-round game.

Five Great Valley wrestlers recorded two pins each as the Patriots picked up two wins at the Border Battle at Rowan University.

Great Valley beat Hickory Va., 58-15, and downed Schalick (N.J.), 69-10. Leading the way with two pins each were Eric Shaver, Domenic DeRobertis, Myles Tornetta, Casey Haines and Carl Buchholz.

Public. Olney collected 10 pins and eased past visiting Kensington, 66-6, in a Public League match.

Anthony Bonet used 52 seconds to win at 125 pounds and had the fastest pin of the day for the Trojans.

Antonio Molina led off for host Edison at 135 pounds and needed just 18 seconds to record a pin and help the Owls beat Franklin Towne Charter, 45-28.

Molina also pinned for Edison in 60-6 nonleague win over Friends Select.

Alain Quinteros pinned in the second period for his first varsity win at 112 pounds and helped Northeast beat host Central, 54-12.

Nonleague. Paul Choi pinned in 2 minutes, 55 seconds at 152 pounds as Upper Dublin tripped visiting Academy of the New Church, 63-18.