Kehler on Hoops: Roman Catholic 59 Central Dauphin 26

Written by: Dell Jackson on March 14, 2022

ROMAN CATHOLIC DEFEATS CENTRAL DAUPHIN 59-26

Roman Catholic advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 6A state championship tournament with a 59-26 mercy rule victory over Central Dauphin on Sunday afternoon in a game played as part of a doubleheader at historic Liberty High School, in Bethlehem. Before a crowd of fewer than 200 on the floor where long ago Bethlehem stars Pete Carril, Billy Packer, and Chuck Bednarik (The Greatest Philadelphia Eagle Ever was also a terrific basketball player) once played, in one of Pennsylvania’s classic gyms, Roman Catholic overwhelmed the Rams, whose offense never got started. This was the first ever meeting between traditional power Roman Catholic and rising program Central Dauphin.

Central Dauphin took a 5-4 lead on a hoop inside by 6′ 8″ senior Donovan Hill, then Roman Catholic went on a 21-0 run that extended into the second quarter and sealed the outcome. The run consisted of a free throw by 6′ 6″ senior Daniel Skillings, a three pointer by 6′ 3″ senior Khalil Farmer, a drive plus a free throw by 6′ sophomore Toby Ojukwu, two free throws by 6′ 1″ junior Xzayvier Brown, a putback by 6′ 6″ freshman Shareef Jackson, a drive plus a free throw by Skillings, a fast break layup off of a steal by Brown, another fast break layup off of a steal by Brown, and a three pointer by Farmer. That made it 25-5, Roman, and Central Dauphin never recovered. A fast break layup by Brown late in the third quarter gave Roman a 43-13 lead, and the balance of the game had the feel of a scrimmage.

Roman Catholic out rebounded Central Dauphin 31 to 17. Roman had 15 turnovers to CD’s 13. Roman was five of eight from the stripe, while Central Dauphin was two of four. Roman made four three pointers, all of them by Farmer. Central Dauphin made two three pointers, both of them by Hill. There was one tie and three lead changes.

Roman Catholic scoring: Khalil Farmer 18, Daniel Skillings 16, Xzayvier Brown 10, Shareef Jackson 10, Toby Ojukwu 3, and Quadir Brown 2.

Central Dauphin scoring: Donovan Hill 12, Jett Franz 5, Christian Wilburn 2, Travis Linn 2, Daron Haggans 2, Wayne Fletcher II 2, and Keon Dockens 1.

Central Dauphin 5 5 9 7-26
Roman Catholic 18 16 17 8-59

Roman Catholic, now 21-4, advances to the PIAA Class 6A state championship playoff quarterfinals. They will play Cheltenham on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined. Central Dauphin, whose season was interrupted with a coronavirus outbreak, finishes with an 18-6 record.

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