Roman Catholic, PW boys set to tip off on Saturday

It's Elite Eight time in the Class AAAA and AA brackets of the PIAA boys' state basketball playoffs.

Roman Catholic, making up for a first-round exit last season, is still alive, thanks to a pair of nailbiting triumphs, in the AAAA tournament. The Cahillites won their first two state games in dramatic fashion, beating Souderton on Kevin Regan's follow at the buzzer and ousting Reading, District 3's champion, in double overtime.

Next for Chris McNesby's squad, ranked No. 10 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, is third-ranked Plymouth Whitemarsh, Saturday at 4 at Villanova.

Roman and PW met on Jan. 24 in the Philly.com/Rally Classic at Widener. The Colonials, behind Jaylen Bond's 24 points, triumphed, 54-42.

In addition to Rakeem Brookins, a senior guard ticketed for Tulane, the Cahillites are spurred by Regan, a 6-foot-3 senior swingman, sophomore guard Montana Mayfield, 6-8 senior Anthony Mayo, freshman swingman Shafeek Taylor and rising 6-7 junior Fortunat Kangudi.

Kangudi has been the X-factor, scoring 12 points against both Souderton and Reading. The sixth man added eight boards (six on offense) and four blocked shots versus Souderton.

Roman's other reserves are freshman guard Britton Lee, sophomore guard Daiquan Walker and junior guard Dennis Regan, Kevin's brother.

Here is a closer look at the Roman-PW game and Saturday's other quarterfinal playoffs involving area teams, along with the predicted winner in each:

Roman Catholic (18-8) vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh (27-2)

Place/time: Villanova, 4 p.m.

At stake: A berth in the semifinals against either North Allegheny or Gateway, both of District 7.

Quick fact: Frankford is a common opponent. Roman beat the Pioneers, 53-50, in District 12's third-place game on Mar. 4. PW easily handled Ben Dubin's squad, 66-43, Wednesday in a second-round contest.

About Roman: Since a 43-38 loss to Catholic League Red Division rival La Salle on Feb. 9, the Cahillites have won six of seven.

About PW: Bond, a 6-7 junior, 6-11 senior center C.J. Aiken, a St. Joseph's commit, and senior guard Whis Grant are the catalysts for the Suburban One League American Conference champions.

Pick: PW, 69-53.

Scranton (22-6) vs. Penn Wood (25-3).

Place/time: Freedom High in Bethlehem, 2:30 p.m.

At stake: The winner gets either District 3 runner-up Hempfield or District 11 champion Liberty in the semis.

Quick fact: Scranton is the only team from the Lackawanna League to win a Class AAAA state game. This year's District 2 title was the program's first.

About Scranton: Terry Turner, a 6-5 sophomore guard, averages 20.4 points. He netted 19 points and 5-10 junior guard Tim Fisch added 13 in Wednesday's 46-44 win over Pennsbury.

About Penn Wood: Senior wing guard Will Brown's 20 points keyed a 75-60 victory over Neshaminy on Wednesday. The Patriots have won 22 straight since a 63-61 loss to St. Frances (Md.) on Dec. 23 in Fort Myers, Fla.

Pick: Penn Wood, 66-49.

Hughesville (25-2) vs. Imhotep Charter (24-5).

Place/time: Harrisburg High, 2 p.m.

At stake: The victor advances to play either District 2 champion Holy Cross or Public League representative Strawberry Mansion.

Quick fact I: The quarterfinal is a rematch of last year's state semifinal, won by Imhotep, 53-46, at East Pennsboro High in Enola.

Quick fact II: Imhotep also ousted Hughesville from states in 2007-08. The Panthers prevailed, 63-36, in a second-round game at HersheyPark Arena.

About Hughesville: The Spartans are led by a trio of seniors: 6-2 point guard Brian Gerney (17 ppg.), 6-5 forward Addison Hanford (9.5 ppg.) and 6-1 wing guard Greg Taggart (7 ppg.).

About Imhotep: In knocking off Notre Dame-Green Pond by 51-40, the junior-laden Panthers were led by forward Earl Brown (17 points) and guard David Appolon (11).

Pick: Hughesville, 51-49, in overtime.

Strawberry Mansion (26-1) vs. Holy Cross (23-5).

Place/time: Freedom High in Bethlehem, 1 p.m.

At stake: The winner gets either Imhotep Charter or Hughesville.

Quick fact: Holy Cross guard Louis Cipriano is a 1,000-point career scorer.

About Mansion: Devonte' "D.J." Newbill (15 points, four assists), Jamal Jones (14 points, five boards) and sophomore Kyhree Wooten (nine points, seven boards, four assists, three blocks) starred Wednesday against St. Pius X.

About Holy Cross: The District 2 champions thumped West Catholic, 63-37, in the second round.

Pick: Holy Cross, 59-53.