MIDDLE ATLANTIC SPORTS NEWS/LLHoops.com PIAA BOYS BASKETBALL RATINGS

FINAL PIAA STATE RATINGS

April 2, 2009

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NOTE: In staying true to our 30 years at doing ratings, we look at the whole season and not just the last game of the season, so we kept Neumann-Goretti #1. You can see who they beat, including both #2 and #3. It was almost a three week decision but the door went shut while just talking to Steve Keller of Hoop Group, who used to be my main man and who still chimes in when I need him. He will be doing his final Deal or No Deal ratings (Maine to North Carolina) for Hoop Group very soon and he will also have N-G as the #1 team in Pennsylvania.

1. Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti (26-3) (Philadelphia Catholic League-District 12 AAA)

The Saints retain the #1 spot in the final ratings despite not winning their first PIAA AAA State title, because they had beaten Archbishop Carroll twice in the regular season, beat AAAA champion Penn Wood 71-62 and also because they smashed Roman Catholic in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, while Carroll lost to them in the semifinals…..In their first ever PIAA game, the Saints defeated defending AAA state champion Steelton-Highspire 98-71 in the PIAA AAA Round of 32. Then in the Round of 16 they defeated Susquehanna Township 54-41. But then was upset by fellow, Catholic League power, Radnor Archbishop Carroll 70-65 in the Quarterfinals.

2. Penn Wood (28-4) (District 1 AAAA)

The Patriots won their first ever PIAA AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP with a 72-53 victory over York. They started off with a lackluster win over Penn Manor, 51-46 in the Round of 32, then beat Philadelphia John Bartram 75-53 in the Round of 16, Pennsbury 54-50 in the Quarterfinals and Mount Lebanon 79-58 in the Semifinals.

3. Radnor Archbishop Carroll (27-3) (Philadelphia Catholic League-District 12 AAA)

Won the PIAA AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, in their first year in the PIAA, with a 75-54 victory over Greensburg Salem. To get there they defeated Phoenixville 56-50 in the Round of 32, Shamokin 62-51 in the Round of 16, upset Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti 70-65 in the Quarterfinals and then York Suburban 65-57 in the Semifinals.

4. Philadelphia Imhotep Charter (32-1) (Philadelphia Public League-District 12 AA)

Won the Philadelphia Public League Division C’s third PIAA AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in four years when they went double-overtime to defeat Pittsburgh North Catholic 75-67. In the Round of 32 they defeated Delone Catholic 55-48. In the Round of 16 they defeated Green Pond Notre Dame 58-53. In the Quarterfinals they took out fellow Pub Division C member, Philadelphia Prep Charter 58-55 and in the Semifinals defeated Hughesville 53-46.

5. York (32-2) (District 3 AAAA)

The Bearcats finished their best season ever, record wise, by making it to the PIAA AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP where they lost to Penn Wood 72-53. To get there they defeated Bethlehem Liberty 58-41 in the Round of 32, Central Bucks South 87-83 (3OT) in the Round of 16, Parkland 58-49 in the Quarterfinals and Plymouth-Whitemarsh 64-56 in the Semifinals.

6. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (25-6) (District 1 AAAA)

Defeated Philadelphia Southern 47-45 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, Norristown 72-50 in the Round of 16 and Williamsport 65-64 (OT) in the Quarterfinals. Then missed making state finals when they lost to York 64-56 in the Semifinals

7. Williamsport (23-4) (District 4 AAAA)

Defeated Cedar Cliff 87-58 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, Chester 62-49 in the Round of 16. Then lost 65-64 in overtime to Plymouth-Whitemarsh in the Quarterfinals.

8. Norristown (23-6) (District 1 AAAA)

Defeated Elizabethtown 68-60 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, then lost to Plymouth-Whitemarsh 72-50 in the Round of 16.

9. Pennsbury (24-6) (District 1 AAAA)

The Falcons defeated Philadelphia North Catholic 51-26 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32 and Central Dauphin East 45-42 in the Round of 16. Then their season was ended when they lost to Penn Wood 54-50 in the Quarterfinals.

10. Chester (24-5) (District 1 AAAA)

The Clippers defeated Red Land 66-50 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, then had their season ended by Williamsport, 62-49, in the Round of 16.

11. Parkland (26-4) (District 11 AAAA)

Defeated Lower Merion 57-53 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32 and Conestoga 56-49 in the Round of 16, but saw their season end in a 58-49 loss to York in the Quarterfinals.

12. Central Dauphin East (27-4) (District 3 AAAA)

The Panthers defeated Glen Mills 59-44 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, before losing to Pennsbury 45-42 in the Round of 16.

13. Lower Merion (23-7) (District 1 AAAA)

Lost in PIAA AAAA Round of 32 to Parkland 57-53.

14. Conestoga (27-4) (District 1 AAAA)

The Pioneers edged Harrisburg 38-37 in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, then were beaten in the Round of 16, by Parkland 56-49.

15. Philadelphia Prep Charter (20-7) (Philadelphia Public League-District 12 AA)

The Huskies defeated Devon Prep 75-48 in the PIAA AA Play In Game. Then defeated Pequea Valley 48-41 in the Round of 32 and Loyalsock 73-67 in the Round of 16. Season then ended with their third loss of the season to Philadelphia Imhotep Charter 58-55 in the Quarterfinals.

16. Harrisburg (22-7) (District 3 AAAA)

Lost in PIAA AAAA Round of 32 to Conestoga 38-37.

17. Philadelphia Roman Catholic (18-9) (Phila. Catholic League-District 12 AAAA)

Upset in First Round of PIAA AAAA playoffs by Central Bucks South 62-57.

18. Pittsburgh North Catholic (28-3) (WPIAL/District 7 AA)

Thw Trojans reached the PIAA AA State Championship with wins over Penns Valley 71-30 in the Round of 32, Erie Mercyhurst Prep 40-23 in the Round of 16, Aliquippa 62-54 in the Quarterfinals, Washington 58-54 in the Semifinals, then took Philadelphia Imhotep Charter to double-overtime before losing 75-67 in the Finals.

19. Philadelphia Girard College (26-5) (District 1 A)

The Hummers won their first ever PIAA State Championship with victories over Camp Hill 85-76 in the PIAA Class A Round of 32, Williams Valley 56-47 in the Round of 16, Greenwood 66-50 in the Quarterfinals, Scotland 86-51 in the Semifinals and Kennedy Catholic 80-70 in the Finals.

20. Central Bucks South (22-7) (District 1 AAAA)

The Titans surprised everyone with a 62-57 win over Philadelphia Roman Catholic in the PIAA AAAA Round of 32, then took eventual state finalist York to triple-overtime before losing 87-83 in the Round of 16.

21. Kennedy Catholic (26-3) (District 10 A)

After winning their 12th consecutive District 10 Class A championship, the Golden Eagles advanced to the PIAA A State Championship with wins over Keystone 40-30 in the Round of 32, Tussey Mountain 45-37 in the Round of 16, Sewickley Academy 65-50 in the Quarterfinals and Elk County Catholic 58-44 in the Semifinals. Then were denied a record eighth state title as they were defeated by Philadelphia Girard College 80-70.

22. Susquehanna Township (23-6) (District 3 AAA)

The Indians defeated Wilkes-Barre Holy Redeemer 72-46 in the PIAA AAA Round of 32, but then were beaten 54-41 by Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti in the Round of 16.

23. Shamokin (24-2) (District 4 AAA)

In the PIAA AAA Round of 32, the Indians defeated Pottsville 51-39, but lost to eventual state champion, Radnor Archibishop Carroll 62-51 in the Round of 16.

24. York Suburban (27-4) (AAA)

Defeated Abington Heights 46-38 in the PIAA AAA Round of 32, Strath Haven 59-45 in the Round of 16 and Crestwood 47-35 in the Quarterfinals. Season was then ended in the Semifinals with a 65-57 loss to Radnor Archbishop Carroll.

25. Loyalsock (22-4) (District 4 AA)

The Lancers opened the PIAA AA Round of 32 with a 48-40 victory over Riverside, then lost to Philadelphia Prep Charter 73-67 in the Round of 16.