Philadelphia, PA – The Father Judge boys’ basketball team clinched its first Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) championship since 1998, triumphing over Roman Catholic with a score of 41-34 on Sunday. Coach Chris Roantree, once a player on the 1998 championship team, expressed immense pride in this victory, emphasizing it as a foundational step towards establishing Father Judge as a top-tier basketball program.
The game, held at the historic Palestra, started unfavorably for the fourth-seeded Father Judge squad, which initially fell behind 10-0 to the second-seeded Roman Catholic. The early game saw Father Judge struggling to find their footing, not scoring until the final minute of the first quarter. However, the team’s resilience shone through as they began to close the gap, trailing by just one point at halftime.
Throughout the game, Father Judge’s defense tightened, and the offense picked up momentum. Key performances came from senior forward Everett Barnes and star point guard Kevair Kennedy, who managed 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists. A crucial moment arrived in the fourth quarter when junior guard Rocco Westfield sank a three-pointer, giving Father Judge a lead they would not relinquish.
Kennedy and Nazir Tyler sealed the win with critical free throws, turning the tide of the crowd’s energy from Roman’s taunts to cheers from the Father Judge supporters, who jubilantly chanted back at their rivals.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for a program that just two years ago had a mere 2-10 league record. Upon taking the head coaching position, Roantree projected a four-year timeline to rebuild the team. Key to this success was Kennedy, whose dedication and work ethic Roantree praised, noting the guard’s leadership in practice and competitive spirit.
Roantree’s strategy focused on recruiting complementary players who might be overlooked by other programs, similar to his approach while serving as an assistant coach at Archbishop Wood. This philosophy has borne fruit, improving the team’s league record each year, culminating in this championship victory.
The win held particular resonance for the players and Coach Roantree, who sees not only the reflection of his own past achievements with the team but also a new legacy being born. This sentiment was echoed by assistant coach Jimmy Reeves, another star from the 1998 team, during the celebratory cutting of the net.
As celebrations continued and “Don’t Stop Believin’” played over the speakers, the Father Judge community basked in the glory of a hard-fought season. This victory not only reflects a significant achievement but also sets the stage for further successes in district and state championships as echoed by the team’s resolve to continue pushing for more titles.
The players and coaching staff of Father Judge have now carved their place in the school’s storied basketball history, promising more exciting seasons in the future.
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