Berks Catholic defeats North Catholic in semifinals

MERCERSBURG – North Catholic’s boys basketball team faced a tough challenge in the PIAA Class 4A semifinals against Berks Catholic. The Trojans struggled to control Kingston McKoy, who scored a game-high 24 points. Coach Jim Rocco recognized McKoy's impact, saying, “They have that guy,” referring to his ability to dominate the game. Despite some success in playing their quicker style, North Catholic could not fully impose their game plan. Rocco noted that they had some moments of strong ball movement, with Jason Fredericks leading the team with 20 points, Owen Maddalon scoring 17, and Joe Waskiewicz adding 12. However, their best run came to an end when they failed to score from the midway point of the second quarter. The match was close, featuring four ties and ten lead changes. The last lead for North Catholic was a narrow 53-52, thanks to Maddalon’s layup in the fourth quarter. However, Berks Catholic quickly took the lead again and held on, ultimately winning 67-59. Berks Catholic will now play for the state championship, facing the winner of the Devon Prep and Valley View game. Despite the loss, Coach Rocco expressed pride in his team's resilience this season. He felt they had proven themselves as one of the best in Western Pennsylvania.