Ryan Arcidiacono chooses Villanova basketball

Southeastern Pennsylvania Football Top 10
1. LaSalle College (Wyndmoor) (7-1: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 1.)
2. Ridley (Folsom) (8-0: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 2.)
3. Archbishop Wood (Warminster) (8-0: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 3.)
4. North Penn (Lansdale) (7-1: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 4.)
5. Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield) (8-0: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 6.)
6. Council Rock South (Holland) (8-0: Weeks rated: 5. Last Week. 8.)
7. Neshaminy (Langhorne) (7-1: Weeks rated: 6. Last Week: 5.)
8. West Catholic (Philadelphia) (6-2: Weeks rated: 8. Last Week: 7.)
9. Boyertown (8-0: Weeks rated: 5. Last Week: 9.)
10. Downingtown East (Exton) (7-1: Weeks rated: 1. Last Week: Unrated.)

Ryan Arcidiacono sold it well. He had more than a few people believing some other schools were in the picture, that they had a shot.

But there were really no schools in his heart other than Villanova. Both the 6-3, 190-pound Neshaminy (Langhorne) junior guard’s parents went to Villanova, and in fact went there with Patti Wright, the wife of Wildcats’ head coach Jay Wright.

So Arcidiacono made it look good, doing the visiting thing, to Florida and Boston College. But really, there was no other place he was headed to than Villanova. So when Wright offered this summer, Arcidiacono jumped at the chance to be Villanova's first commit from the class of 2012, giving the Wildcats’ coach an oral commitment Monday for a basketball scholarship.

Last season for Neshaminy, Arcidiacono averaged a team-high 17 points a game, with 4.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He dropped a game-high 20 against PIAA Class AAAA state finalist Penn Wood in the state playoffs.

He’s explosive, sees the court exceptionally well, and most importantly, will be staying home at a place his father, Joe, and mother, Patti, called home. Joe played football for Villanova when hall-of-famer Howie Long was there. He grew up with Villanova blue in his veins.

That’s why Boston College and Florida had no shot. What boosted Arcidiacono’s status was a tremendous summer. During the season, Temple, LaSalle and St. Joseph’s were among the local schools that showed initial interest, with Wright on the periphery.

Wright’s high-energy, up-and-down style suits Arcidiacono perfectly. He’s added some weight and he’s always been on Wright’s radar. He wasn’t about to let a talent like Arcidiacono sitting almost literally in his own backyard slip away. And if Wright had any doubts, he was able to refer to his younger brother, Derek, who’s coached against Arcidiacono at Council Rock North in the Suburban One League.

“Back in January, I wasn’t at the level where I was over the summer, when I played in May and June, and Villanova offered in July,” said Ryan, who’s cousins make up two-fifths of undefeated Archbishop Wood’s offensive line. “I thought about it, and there really wasn't much to think about. I thought how I could pass an offer like this? Coach Wright, all the players and coaches, and the location itself, how I can I beat that? It’s so close to home and my family can see every game.

“I’m going to have to keep working hard and work my butt off to play there. Getting in is one thing, being able to play there consistently is another. It’s a great feeling. Florida was nice, but this is a lot closer. It’s a great move, not only for how they play, but where Villanova is nationally every year, as one of the best teams in the country. I’m in a nice spot, where I can enjoy my junior and senior years and not worry about having to impress any coaches. I know where I’m going.”

CATHOLIC LEAGUE SHOWDOWN
On Saturday, an unstoppable offense will meet what has been an immovable force when undefeated Archbishop Wood travels to undefeated Cardinal O'Hara Saturday at 2 p.m. in one of the best games in Pennsylvania this weekend.

Wood is averaging 37.8 points a game and has outscored its eight opponents this season by a staggering 303-95 margin. The Vikings have shut out three opponents, but they haven’t exactly faced a defense this season like O’Hara, which has five shutouts and outscored opponents 277-37.

O’Hara will need to corral juniors Desmon and Brandon Peoples, the cousins who joined forces in Wood’s backfield after Desmon transferred in from St. Joseph’s Prep and Brandon came in from Abington.

Wood’s offensive line is young, but large, led by center Brandon Arcidiacono, guards Nick Arcidiacono (yes, they’re everywhere, these Arcidiaconos, who happen to be Ryan’s cousins) and Chris Knott, tackles Michael Moffa and Frank Taylor, and tight ends Colin Thompson and Brian Butler. And if O’Hara thinks it can stuff the Peoples, Wood has a capable passer in junior Joe Monaghan.

O’Hara will counter with a speedy group that has done exceptionally well on defense playing in coordinator John Algeo’s unusual 3-3-5 set. It has enabled the Lions to use their team speed to attack the edge and hold opposing teams to a meager 4.6 points and just more than 100 yards of total offense a game.

The Lions’ defense will be led by senior linebackers Drew Formica and Shawn Driggins and strong safety Adam Dempsey.

Joseph Santoliquito can be contacted at JSantoliquito@yahoo.com.