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Ask Keith Pompey
Inquirer Columnist
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004, focusing on high school sports. He was named the 2007 Media Person of the Year by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association. Keith is also the Pennsylvania representative on the McDonald's All-American High School boys' basketball contact committee.
On Fridays in the fall, Pompey appears on NBC-10's "News at 4" to analyze the region's top high school football programs and players.
He is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh graduate.
Read our high school sports coverage.
Most Recent Questions & Answers
Questions: 91 - 10 of 126
Catholic League Bball
Qwho do you think is going to take the Catholic league this year ? In the south its going to be Roman and Neumann-Goretti of course but the northern division is a throw up seems like any team could take it this year
mike, PA 01/28/08
A
Right now, it's hard to not pick Roman Catholic winning another Catholic League title. Ranked third in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, the Cahillites are 12-2 overall and 9-0 in league play.
Eighth-ranked North Catholic (15-4, 8-1) could become the first Northern Division team to reach the championship since 2004. Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Falcons are one of the area's hottest teams. Two of North Catholic's losses came to ranked squads. Imhotep is ranked seventh in Southeastern Pennsylvania, while Rancocas Valley is The Inquirer's fourth-ranked team in South Jersey. North's other two setbacks came to the Cardinal Dougherty Cardinals and Germantown Academy Patriots. The Falcons beat the Cardinals by 18 points in a rematch.
Keith Pompey
Glad your back
QHow do you do it? You answer every question as though you have front row seats at every high school sporting event in the area. It sounds as if you could use a few more hours added to your day. Keep up the great work. All high school sports in the tri-state area is as good as it gets. ANC with five div.1 starters vs. American Christian with five div.1 starters, best ticket in town. I have a feeling you will be there.
Bob, Huntingdon Valley, PA 01/28/08
AThanks for the compliment. And yes, I will be at the Academy of the New Church vs. American Christian game. It could turn out to be the game of the year in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I'm also eager to see Roman Catholic play Chester later that night. I expect both of them to be good games.
Keith Pompey
Conestoga
QDoes Conestoga have any chance in district playoffs?
Anonymous, Devon, PA 01/28/08
AOf course. I don't see Conestoga winning the District 1 Class AAAA title over Chester or Pennsbury. But that doesn't mean the Pioneers won't reach the semifinals and advance to the state tournament. Playing against solid teams like Ridley and Lower Merion in the Central League gives Conestoga an advantage over Ches-Mont and Suburban One league teams.
Keith Pompey
post players
QIn what order would you put the best high school girls post players in the s.e pa.
girls hoops fan, PA 01/28/08
A
The top five post players in Southeastern Pennsylvania are in this order:
1. Keisha Hampton, a 6-foot-2 senior at Engineering and Science
2. Chelsea Shine, a 6-3 senior at Conestoga
3. Ashley Robinson, a 6-3 junior at Archbishop Wood
4. Stephanie Holzer, a 6-3 junior at Cardinal O'Hara
5. Janaa Pickard, a 6-1 junior at Central
Keith Pompey
PIAA
Qhow do you think the PIAA district one seedings will end up for spots 1-4? and who do you think will be in the championship at Nova?
Anonymous, PA 01/28/08
A
If the regular season concluded last night, Chester (first), Pennsbury (second), Norristown (third) and Lower Merion (fourth) would be the top four seeds for the District 1 Class AAAA tournament. The top three seeds are virtually set.
The next seven teams are very tightly bunched, with some VERY significant games yet to be played. Those game are Lower Merion vs. Ridley, Penn Wood vs. Glen Mills and Downingtown West vs. Coatesville.
Lower Merion is currently in the fourth spot, because of its strength of schedule. The Aces' opponents have a winning percentage of around .560, one of -- if not the highest -- in the district. As a result, I think Lower Merion has a shot to to keep that last spot.
To answer your second question, I believe Chester and Pennsbury will play for the championship.
Keith Pompey
Roman Football
QAny ideas who Roman's next coach might be other than Joe McCourt? Shame Coach Murphy stepped down. Does the team needing to be rebuilt an issue? Also is there any truth that Catholic League coaches have more on their plate than their Public League counterparts like fund raising and going to local parishes to attract student athletes. Thanks.
RCHS fan, Philadelphia, PA 01/27/08
A
We should have an idea who the other legitimate coaching candidates are in the near future. The opening will be posted for three weeks within the archdiocese. However, Joe McCourt, who was the team's offensive coordinator, is a strong candidate to replace Jim Murphy.
On Murphy's decision to leave, he said in published reports that he was just tired. Losing several key players from the Catholic League Red Division championship team wasn't an issue.
I can't say that Catholic League coaches have more on their plate than their Public League counterparts. I think it depends on the school, not the league.
Keith Pompey
What About Abington Friends Younger Players
QHave You ever had the chance to see Abington Friends freshman play....... like Joey Gripper, Will Wise and Jabril Trawick I believe that they have a great future together what do you think about them?
Anonymous, Philadelphia, PA 01/27/08
ATime will tell. If they work on their weaknesses, they could develop into solid players.
Keith Pompey
About The AFS Freshmen
QMr Pompey, what are their weakness and strength's, I have heard a lot about 2 of them. Do all 3 play a lot?
Anonymous, Philadelphia, PA 01/27/08
ATwo of the freshmen in question - Will Wise and Joey Gripper - start. However, I am not going to use this forum to talk at length about their strengths and weaknesses. We have to remember that they are JUST freshmen, who at this point are only role players on the team.
Keith Pompey
Roman Catholic Basketball
Q What place is Roman Catholic Hs in the standing for Basketball ?
Gerry, Phila, PA 01/26/08
ARoman Catholic is in first place in the Philadelphia Catholic League Southern Division. The Cahillites (12-2 overall, 9-0 division) are also ranked third in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer.
Keith Pompey
La Salle
QLa Salle is going under the radar this year and yet beat teams like some pretty good teams in the PCL. Someone brought up private schools future in an earlier question and did not mention La Salle but did mention GA, a team that La Salle beat earlier in the season. Sophomore CJ Aiken is monster near the rim in an offensive sense and has to average 4 or 5 blocks a game. Though they will lose some senior power after this year with sophomore CJ, freshmen Jaylen Bond,and Eddie Joyner-Mitchell and Juniors Todd Stokley, and Tom Cooney the future of La Salle is not looking to bad how do you feel about La Salle and their future?
RMG, Springfield, PA 01/26/08
AI think if fans and parents stay patient, La Salle will be an area power in two seasons. Bond, Joyner-Mitchell and Aiken all have the potential to be very, very special. But the key word is patience.
Keith Pompey
Questions: 91 - 10 of 126
