Rick O'Brien: C.R. North vs. Chester: Tempo will be the key

Someone has to fall.

Entering Friday night's PIAA District 1 Class AAAA boys' basketball final, at 9 at Villanova University's Pavilion, No. 2 seed Council Rock North (25-1) and No. 1 Chester (25-1) have won 24 and 20 consecutive games, respectively.

The Indians' only loss was against Montrose Christian (Md.), ranked No. 3 in the nation in USA Today's most recent top 25. The Clippers suffered their lone defeat against perennial power Sanford (Del.).

Chester has won both playoff meetings between the schools. The Del-Val League titlists triumphed, 50-42, in the second round last year. They topped former star Ben Luber and the Indians, 71-61, in the 2003 final.

Chester uses up to 10 players. C.R. North, the Suburban One League National Conference champ, went with just six in Tuesday's semifinal win over No. 3 seed Plymouth Whitemarsh. The Indians lost junior wing guard Matt McCloskey (shoulder injury) for the season in a second-round win over Wissahickon.

"It's going to be a challenge," said C.R. North coach Derek Wright, brother of Villanova boss Jay Wright. "I think we have to remember that they can only play five at a time."

The Clippers, not surprisingly, want the game to be a track meet. Wright said his squad will have to pick and choose when to push the ball upcourt.

"If you completely hold the ball out, you're going to miss opportunities," he said. "But at the same time, you can't allow them to lull you into taking quick shot after quick shot."

The Indians are led by 6-foot-4 junior swingman Arron Goodman, who notched 19 points and 15 rebounds against the Colonials; junior point guard Aaron Morgan; and 6-6 senior forwards Charlie Anastasi and John Raymon.

In a semifinal victory against No. 5 seed Neshaminy, Chester received 20 points from 6-3 junior forward Erikk Wright, and 13 from both senior point guard Maurice Nelson and 6-4 senior forward DeQuann "Bootsie" Walker.

The other catalysts for coach Larry Yarbray are senior swingman Lamon Church (nine points, seven boards vs. Neshaminy), 6-5 sophomore forward Rondae Jefferson (six points), and sophomore guard Darius Robinson (14 points, including four treys, and five assists).

In the semifinals, C.R. North and Chester overcame 18 and 15 turnovers, respectively.

Analysis: On paper, Chester, which is trying for its eighth district crown in the last 10 seasons, is definitely the pick. But look for the Indians, effectively mixing a 2-3 zone and man-to-man set, to protect the glass and eke out the win.

Pick: C.R. North, 63-61.

Here is a look at the weekend's other playoff contests:

No. 2 Holy Ghost Prep (20-7) vs. No. 1 Octorara (20-5), 6 p.m. Saturday at Villanova.

The Firebirds, of the Bicentennial Athletic League, are sparked by three seniors: guards Tyler Juchno (13.8 ppg., 2.7 apg.) and Mike DeStefano (9.3 ppg., 37 treys), and 6-7 center Ryan Lantzy (9.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg.).

The headliners for the Braves, of the Ches-Mont League, are senior guard Lamont Clark (16 ppg.), junior guard Charles Cooper (14 ppg., 48 treys), 6-2 junior forward James Brown (10 ppg., 19 treys), and 6-3 junior guard Dequan Newton (10 ppg.).

Pick: Octorara, 52-47.

No. 3 Faith Christian (21-5) vs. No. 1 Church Farm (21-1), noon Saturday at Villanova.

The Lions, of the Atlantic Coast Christian Athletic Conference, rely on 6-3 senior Dondre Perry (16.9 ppg.), 6-foot junior Greg Boyd (12.8 ppg., 16 treys), 6-foot senior Trey Riddick (9 ppg., 22 treys), and sophomore guard Tyler Rockmore (8.8 ppg., 37 treys).

The leaders for Church Farm, an independent program and a third-year PIAA member, are 6-0 sophomore Howard Sellars (15 ppg.), 6-4 senior Cordell Long (13 ppg., 8 rpg.), and 5-11 senior Martin Evans (9 ppg.).

Pick: Church Farm, 57-39.

La Salle (19-4) vs. Frankford (18-5), 7 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln.

It should be an interesting duel between guards Eddie Mitchell (15.8 ppg., 18 treys) and Keith Washington (18.6 ppg., 36 treys). Mitchell and the Explorers beat Bartram for the crown last year.

Pick: La Salle, 53-42.

Neumann-Goretti (21-4) vs. Philadelphia Electrical Charter (22-4), 8 p.m. Friday at Archbishop Ryan.

The Saints are fresh off winning their third straight Catholic League title. The Chargers are paced by 6-3 guard Carrington Ward (18.9 ppg.) and 5-10 guard Devante Chance (16.6 ppg.).

Pick: Neumann-Goretti, 66-48.

Imhotep Charter (25-3) vs. West Catholic (7-15), 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Prep.

The Burrs are going to be seriously overmatched against Ameen Tanksley and company. The Panthers cause havoc with a 1-2-2, three-quarter-court press.

Pick: Imhotep, 69-41.

Prep Charter (13-10) vs. Devon Prep (19-6), noon Saturday at St. Joseph's Prep.

The victor will gain the district's fifth seed in the state tournament and open against the District 11 titlist on March 12.

Pick: Prep Charter, 49-46.