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O'Brien: Look for Neumann-Goretti, Constitution to repeat as state champs

Let the madness begin. The PIAA state boys' basketball playoffs begin this weekend with 29 local teams trying to reach Hershey and earn gold medals. Neumann-Goretti (Class AAA) and Constitution, which won in Class AA last year and is now in A, are out to repeat as champs.

Quade Green, right, of Neumann-Goretti drives to the basket against Shane Stark, left, of La Salle. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)
Quade Green, right, of Neumann-Goretti drives to the basket against Shane Stark, left, of La Salle. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)Read more

Let the madness begin.

The PIAA state boys' basketball playoffs begin this weekend with 29 local teams trying to reach Hershey and earn gold medals. Neumann-Goretti (Class AAA) and Constitution, which won in Class AA last year and is now in A, are out to repeat as champs.

Here is a preview of the Class AAA and A tournaments, which begin Friday, and a predicted winner in each classification.

We'll run down the Class AAAA and AA playoffs, which start Saturday, on Friday.

Class AAA

Neumann-Goretti fell short of a record seventh-straight Catholic League title, but is in the hunt for its fifth state crown in the last six seasons.

The Saints are fueled by electrifying guards Quade Green (17.9 ppg., 61 three-pointers), Zane Martin (16.4, 35), and Lamarr "Fresh" Kimble (15.4, 38). Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, a 6-foot-8 center, and Vaughn Covington round out the starting lineup.

With N-G in the top half of the bracket and rival Archbishop Carroll positioned in the bottom part of the draw, the Saints and Patriots could be on a collision course to meet in the March 20 final at the Giant Center.

In a thriller on Jan. 23, the Saints, sparked by Green's 26 points, including five treys, triumphed, 71-69. The visitors overcame a 26-point, 14-rebound effort by 6-7 standout and UNLV recruit Derrick Jones.

Carroll opens against red-hot Octorara, fresh off an 80-54 rout of Glen Mills in the District 1 final. The Braves are led guard Tarojoe Brake (22.8 ppg., 46 treys) and 6-5 forward Levi Worthington (15.0). It's a rematch of a 2012 second-round state contest, which Carroll won, 71-50.

Imhotep Charter opens against District 3's Berks Catholic, which is led by 6-7 forward Connor Jack and guards Isaac Lutz, Tyrone Nesby, and Emmanual "Pop" Lacey.

Our predicted quarterfinalists: N-G, Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt, Scranton Prep, Pottsville, Carroll, Indiana, Beaver Falls, and Cathedral Prep.

We have N-G, Scranton Prep, Carroll, and Beaver Falls reaching the semifinals. N-G then fights past Scranton Prep, which is led by point guard and Binghamton recruit Tim Rose, in a major tussle. Carroll moves closer to its first title since 2009 by knocking off Beaver Falls.

In an all-District 12 final, the guard-driven Saints nip Jones and company, 63-59, in overtime.

Class A

In one of the best first-round matchups, Math, Civics and Sciences clashes with District 11 titlist Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg. The Spartans have three players 6-4 or taller, including 6-8 Sam Brown and 6-4 Tyrell Mann.

With District 3 champ Hilda Goodling Impact Academy deciding Tuesday to withdraw from states due to its financial woes and possible closure, two area teams have new first-round foes. Constitution faces West Shore Christian Academy, and Jenkintown meets Halifax.

Behind savvy playmakers Ahmad Gilbert and Kimar Williams, Constitution comes in as the favorite. The Generals could be tested in the quarters by District 4's St. John Neumann and by either MC&S or Notre Dame in the semis.

Our pick to come out of the Western region is District 10 champ Kennedy Catholic. The Golden Eagles' Sagaba Konate, a 6-8 junior forward averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds, was recently offered a scholarship by Pittsburgh.

Look for Constitution to put a loss to Imhotep in the Public League final behind it, to gain its third crown with a 69-60 win over Kennedy Catholic.