By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
St. Anthony (N.J.) vs. St. Patrick (N.J.)
New Jersey’s most storied basketball program, the St. Anthony Friars have not won a state championship since 2004, the year chronicled by the book The Miracle of St. Anthony. Standing in the way each of the last three years has been St. Patrick. The Celtics have seen the departure of last year’s stars Corey Fisher and Jeff Robinson, but are still stocked with talent. Barring a major upset, the two powers should clash again on March 5 in the Non-Public B semifinal.
Norcross (Ga.) vs. Wheeler (Ga.)
The state’s two top AAAAA programs last met in the playoffs a year ago, where Norcross nipped Wheeler 64-63. Gani Lawal led that team to a state title before heading to Georgia Tech. With his departure, Al-Farouq Aminu and Tariq Muhammed will have to shoulder the load for the Blue Devils. Wheeler is led by the electrifying Ari Stewart. The Wildcats have already notched wins against Word of God (N.C.), Boys and Girls (N.Y.), and Bishop O’Connell (Va.) However, a win over Norcross and a state championship would complete the season.
Homewood-Flossmoor (Ill.) vs. Whitney Young (Ill.)
Homewood-Flossmoor, who some believe to be the best team in Illinois, has only one blemish on an otherwise impeccable season: a December loss to Whitney Young. Seniors Kevin Dillard and Supo Sanni look to capture a state title in the newly created 4A classification for Illinois’ largest schools. For Whitney Young, dynamic point guard A.J. Rompza is great at creating shots for himself and his teammates. However, the bright postseason lights will be fixated on Marcus Jordan, as Dolphin fans will look to him for some Jordan playoff heroics. The two teams would see each other downstate in Peoria if each survives its bracket.
Lincoln (N.Y.) vs. Boys and Girls (N.Y.)
Since Lincoln beat Boys and Girls in last year’s PSAL final at Madison Square Garden, a game marred by a brawl between fans, the teams have met twice. Each time, the home team defended its court, with Lincoln winning a double overtime thriller in December and Boys and Girls exacting revenge with a 67-66 win on Feb. 5. A potential rubber match held at a neutral location - Madison Square Garden on March 16 - would settle the score between the two bitter rivals.
Ferris (Wash.) vs. Franklin (Wash.)
Two 4A powers are on a collision course in the state of Washington. Franklin, paced by do-it-all guard Peyton Siva, has only two losses this season. Both came from California teams at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. The Quakers also boast a big early season win over 3A state title hopeful Rainier Beach and more recently, a victory over Los Angeles’ Fairfax (Calif.) Ferris has quietly posted a 23-0 record. Led by Shawn Stockton, the Saxons could become the first in-state team to beat Franklin this year if the two meet in the 4A tournament.
Dominguez (Calif.) vs. Compton (Calif.)
Two of the most dynamic scorers in the country could go head to head if cross town foes Dominguez and Compton meet in the SoCal championships. Dominguez features junior small forward Jordan Hamilton while Compton has high flying senior Demar Derozan. The two teams are expected to meet in the Division I-AA semifinals. This dream matchup would likely showcase a number of highlight worthy dunks, all for the right to play Mater Dei, who should be waiting on the bottom side of the bracket.
Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. Archbishop Mitty (Calif.)
Speaking of Mater Dei, they could be in for another showdown of Division II powers from opposite sides of the state if they meet Northern California’s Archbishop Mitty at the ARCO Arena for the second consecutive year. Mater has made it look easy in SoCal, going undefeated, thanks in large part of the 6-10 Wear brothers and sophomore point guard Gary Franklin. Archbishop Mitty, the class of Northern California, has hardly missed a beat since losing star senior Drew Gordon due to injury. The Monarchs avenged their only loss this season by beating Riordan over the weekend. Another meeting between these cross-state foes would have the potential to be the state’s best game of the season.
Duncanville (Texas) vs. North Crowley (Texas)
Two top dogs in Texas’ 5A classification could provide a provide the type of excitement on the hardwood that is often found on football fields on Friday nights. Duncanville, led by Shawn Williams and Roger Franklin, is the defending 5A state champion, and have only one loss this season, to Oak Hill Academy (Va.) North Crowley has also rolled to a one loss record, at 31-1, thanks to high flying superstar Willie Warren. Warren, who moved back home after beginning the year at Oak Hill, is the state’s most exciting player. Facing off against Duncanville would present a formidable challenge for Warren and teammates, a challenge that fans in the Lone Star State would enjoy watching.
New Albany (Ind.) vs. East Chicago Central (Ind.)
The Hoosier state loves its basketball. As such, fans will pack the seats in gyms across the state during the huge state tournaments taking place over the next few weeks. One potential 4A showdown sure to make waves in Indiana would pit undefeated New Albany, the state’s top ranked 4A team, against East Chicago Central, and one of the state’s best players, 6-10 Angel Garcia. The teams are on opposite side of the brackets, and will face some stiff competition and some other potential big time pairings along the way. Though New Ablany is considered the bracket favorite, East Chicago Central is still the defending 4A champ, after beating Eric Gordon’s North Central team last spring.
Bishop O’Connell (Va.) vs. DeMatha (Md.)
Joseph Wootten’s Bishop O’Connell team is ultra-talented. With Kendall Marshall running the point, Jason Clark on the wing and Frank Ben-Eze in the post, Wootten has led the Knights to a 23-5 record in the tough WCAC league in the nation’s capital. Twice he has beaten the school where his legendary father, Morgan, developed a national powerhouse, DeMatha. However, DeMatha has surged as of late, with the return of Kenny Tate from football season. If each team wins its opening round game on Friday, the two will face off on Sunday in a game with many intra-family storylines.
Aliquippa (Pa.) vs. Jeannette (Pa.)
These teams met last year in the AA Western Region semifinal. Aliquippa’s Herb Pope was the difference, scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds to lift the Quips to victory over then junior Jayhawk Terrelle Pryor. Jeannette exacted revenge earlier this season, with a convincing 62-44 victory. If these two teams meet again, look for Aliquippa’s Jonathan Baldwin to rise to the occasion. Overshadowed by Pryor’s success, Baldwin has also been a two sport star in Pennsylvania, and will continue next fall on the football field for Pitt. The Baldwin-Pryor postseason post matchup would easily be worth the price of admission.
Saginaw (Mich.) vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill (Mich.)
A dream game that is already scheduled to happen, local rivals Saginaw and Arthur Hill will square off on Monday as district tournaments begin in Michigan. The two teams have kept the Class A state trophy within city limit’s the last two years, with Arthur Hill winning in 2006 and Saginaw winning last year. Led by senior Latreze Mushatt and sophomore Maurice Jones, Arthur Hill upset Saginaw in early January, handing the Trojans their only loss this season. However, Draymond Green led an 82-54 thrashing of Arthur Hill only a few weeks later that led many to believe that Arthur Hill’s win in their first meeting was an aberration. The rubber match next week should settle the score.
Putnam City (Okla.) vs. Putnam City North (Okla.)
Another intra-city rivalry, Putnam City and Putnam City North could meet in the Oklahoma 6A tournament. Putnam City is led by versatile 6-7 junior Xavier Henry. If Henry were playing in a bigger media market like other top juniors Lance Stephens, Renardo Sidney, and Derrick Favors, he might be more well known. But the fact is, Henry could prove to be the best player in his class. His Pirates have only lost to Texas’ Duncanville this year, and have easily won almost every in-state game. Putnam City North has fallen twice to Putnam City this year, but came extremely close to pulling off the upset in a nail biting 65-61 setback on Friday. Sporting a 17-5 record and a renewed confidence, Dennon Mitchell and the Panthers would love another crack at the Pirates.
Moeller (Ohio) vs. St. Xavier (Ohio)
Two football powerhouses could meet in the Ohio Division I basketball tournament after enjoying tremendous success on the hardwood this season. Moeller has lost only once this season, to St. Benedict's (N.J.), and is the defending Ohio state champion. St. X has two losses, both of which came at the hands of the Fighting Crusaders in hotly-contestrd rivalry games. It was Moeller who eliminated St. X from the playoffs last year, beating the Bombers 43-40 in the state finals after already upsetting Cleveland power St. Edward. If the two teams meet again, you can bet fans from the Buckeye State will pack the Value City Arena to witness another showdown between two of the state’s premier athletic programs.
Charlestown (Mass.) vs. Boston College High School (Mass.)
The Boston College High School Eagles, at 17-3, are the defending Division 1 champions in Massachusetts, while Charlestown is currently undefeated and thought to be the top team heading into tournament time. The Townies have overcome the turmoil of losing legendary coach Jack O’Brien, thanks in large part to the calming influence of his replacement, Steve Cassidy. Charlestown edged B.C. High earlier in the year, but a playoff rematch would make for an exciting public-parochial clash. The Eagles have a very strong front court, with forwards Ryan Sharry and Jake O’Brien, and would provide an interesting match to Charlestown’s fast paced, high scoring style.