Roman Catholic Defeats Parkland 53-35 in a PIAA Class 6A Playoff Quarterfinal: Kehler on Hoops

Written by: Dell Jackson on March 19, 2023

Roman Catholic Defeats Parkland 53-35 in a PIAA Class 6A Playoff Quarterfinal

Defending PIAA Class 6A state champion Roman Catholic rallied in the second half on Saturday afternoon in Norristown to defeat Parkland 53 to 35 in a Class 6A state championship tournament quarterfinal. The two teams knew each other well, having played a game-conditions scrimmage on November 22 at Parkland, with Parkland winning the scrimmage.

On Saturday afternoon, the first half of this game was sluggish. Both teams played man-to-man defense, and neither squad could get much going offensively. Roman had a decided height advantage, with 6’ 8” sophomore Shareef Jackson and 6’ 6” senior Anthony Finkley, but the defending champions didn’t capitalize on that very much in the first half. While Parkland had difficulty scoring—they were seven of 22 from the field in the first half—they led 20 to 17 at intermission, as they concluded the second quarter with an 11 to 2 run. That run, Parkland’s most concentrated offensive success in the game, consisted of a free throw by 6’ 4” junior Zaire Smaltz, a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” senior Joey Gerbasio, a follow by 6’ 2” junior Robbie Ruisch, a hoop inside by Gerbasio on an inbounds play, and a three point play on a drive by 6’ 2” junior Nick Coval.

Parkland kept the lead for much of the third quarter. They went up 29 to 24 on a drive by 5’ 9” senior Matt Ray for what would prove to be Parkland’s biggest lead of the game. Roman responded with a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” senior Xzayveir Brown, then Parkland countered with a hook shot by the versatile Gerbasio, and Parkland led by 31 to 27. In the decisive sequence of the game, Roman then launched a 12 to 1 run that continued into the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Finkley, a pivot move by Jackson, a free throw by Jackson, a hoop inside by Jackson, a hook shot by Jackson, and a fast break dunk by Finkley following a steal. That put Roman up 39 to 32. Parkland cut their deficit to four points on Gerbasio’s third 3-pointer of the game, then Roman closed the game out with a 14-0 run on a 3-pointer by Finkley, a free throw by Jackson, a free throw by Finkley, a putback by Jackson, a hoop inside by Jackson, a hoop inside by 6’ 1” sophomore Will Felder, a steal and breakaway by Brown, and a free throw by Finkley.

Roman was a remarkable 15 of 19 from the field in the second half, while Parkland was one of eight from the field in the fourth quarter. Parkland had particular trouble checking Jackson, who was a perfect eight for eight from the field in the game. Finkley, the best passer in southeastern Pennsylvania this season, rarely shoots, but he was very difficult for Parkland to guard on Saturday afternoon when he did look to the basket.

Roman had a 30 to 19 rebounding advantage. Roman committed eight turnovers, while Parkland had nine miscues. Neither team prospered at the free throw line: Roman was nine of 17, and Parkland was five of 11. Both teams scored four times from beyond the arc. There were seven ties and three lead changes. Roman’s defense was terrific throughout the game, with Brown being the standout. It was Roman’s defensive play that was the deciding factor in the contest.

Roman Catholic scoring: Shareef Jackson 19, Xzayvier Brown 18, Anthony Finkley 10, Will Felder 4, and Bobby Cottrell 2.

Parkland scoring: Joey Gerbasio 15, Nick Coval 8, Zaire Smaltz 6, Matt Ray 4, and Robbie Ruisch 2.

Some other stats of note: Roman’s Jackson had 13 rebounds, Finkley had five rebounds and five assists, Brown had three rebounds and five assists, and Felder had five rebounds and two assists. Parkland’s Coval had three rebounds and three assists, and Ruisch had four rebounds. Parkland’s Gerbasio was three of four from 3-point range.

Roman Catholic 9 8 18 18-53
Parkland 9 11 12 3-35

Roman Catholic is now 26-3, and they will continue their defense of the PIAA Class 6A state championship vs. Archbishop Wood on Tuesday at Bensalem at 7:30 p.m. While Roman has defeated Wood twice this season, two Roman players who started during the regular season are ineligible to compete in the PIAA tournament due to rules pertaining to transfer students.

Parkland, the PIAA District 11 Class 6A champion, had a very fine season and finishes 20-10.

On Twitter: @david_kehler

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