Kehler on Hoops: Math Civics & Sciences Defeats York Catholci 58-47

Written by: Dell Jackson on March 13, 2022

MATH CIVICS &SCIENCES CHARTER DEFEATS YORK CATHOLIC 58-47

In a game that was not nearly as close as the final score suggests, Math Civics & Sciences Charter, of Philadelphia, defeated York Catholic 58-47 in a PIAA Class 3A state championship tournament game on Sunday afternoon in the second game of a doubleheader, at Liberty, in Bethlehem. Liberty, built in 1922, has one of Pennsylvania’s classic high school gyms, but York Catholic found the trip there long and unrewarding. Perhaps 100 spectators watched the game.

Playing without superb junior Luke Forjan, York Catholic had difficulty contending with the taller, deeper, and more explosive MCS squad. York Catholic opened in a 3-2 zone defense, and they scored first on a hoop inside by 6′ junior LeVan McFadden. MCS responded with an 8-0 run on a jumper by 6′ 3″ senior Trent Middleton, a putback by 6′ 4″ senior Naire Poplar, a drive by 6′ 2″ sophomore Aasim Burton, and a baseline jumper by Poplar to go up 8-2. At that point, the ultimate outcome of the game was obvious. MCS was far too powerful on the boards, and York Catholic’s outside shots were not falling. MCS had a 13-5 advantage on the boards in the first quarter and led 14-5 after eight minutes of play.

York Catholic had ball security problems in the second quarter, committing eight turnovers in the frame, but a couple of three pointers by freshman Jake Dallas sparked their offense. For MCS, nine of their 11 second quarter points came from players who had not started the game, a testament to the team’s depth. MCS led 25-15 at halftime.

MCS held the ball for the first two minutes of the third quarter, and York Catholic finally came out of their zone defense. The third quarter was a particularly effective one for 6′ 9″ MCS senior Khalif Crawley, who scored six points in the frame. York Catholic fell further behind, unable to mount a successful outside attack and too small to score much inside. York Catholic’s offense featured lots of motion but little screening to give open looks for outside shots.

With the outcome decided, both teams played lots of substitutes in the fourth quarter, giving kids a chance to play in a state championship tournament game.

MCS decisively out rebounded York Catholic 31 to 19. MCS committed 12 turnovers, but six of them were in the fourth quarter, when substitutes were on the court. York Catholic had 13 turnovers. MCS was 10 of 16 from the free throw line, and York Catholic was 12 of 18. MCS made two three pointers, one by Middleton and one by 6′ 1″ junior Mohamed Snead. York Catholic made five three pointers: two by Dallas and one each by 6′ 4″ junior Michael Shelley, Henry Sentz, and Ryan Oathout. There was one tie and one lead change.

Math Civics & Sciences scoring: Khalif Crawley 16, Trent Middleton 16, Isaiah Griffin 7, Naire Poplar 4, Nayeem Johnson 4, Hymid Snead 3, Jaheim Bethea 2, Aasim Burton 2, Jeff King 2, Chauncey Pressley 1, and Mohammed Sesay 1.

York Catholic scoring: Ryan Oathout 9, Jake Dallas 7, Jacob Mountain 6, LeVan McFadden 5, Brady Walker 4, John Forjan 3, Michael Shelley 3, Joe Mountain 3, Henry Sentz 3, Quin Brennan 2, and Ethan Pajtis 2.

York Catholic 5 10 8 24-47
Math Civics & Sciences Charter 14 11 13 20-58

MCS, now 21-8, advances to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 3A state championship tournament. They will play Holy Redeemer on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined. York Catholic’s season ends with a 17-9 recordd.

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