"You Kiddin' Me?! Playoffs?!"

Archbishop Ryan certainly helped out the Bonner Friars basketball team yesterday. By losing to Father Judge in their final regular season game, the Raiders opened the door for a fifth consecutive playoff berth for the green and white. They took advantage yesterday, defeating O'Hara 56-43, giving both Ryan and Bonner four wins apiece. However, Bonner still had another game left, and all they had to do was win and they'd be in. The only problem was they had to get past North Catholic, winners of five in a row coming into the match. Not only was North the hottest team in the league, they were playing in the final regular season home game in the history of the school (barring a reversal of Cardinal Rigali's order to close down North Catholic). None of this mattered. A North Catholic celebration was spoiled by the Bonner boys, who celebrated themselves, winning 62-57. By winning, they clinch a playoff berth. It marks the fifth consecutive season with a playoff appearance, and the fist under head coach Tom Meakim. Paving the way to victory as usual was senior guard Jamal Melvin. Melvin led the team with 17 points. Two other stalwarts, Keefer Francis and Scott Slade, each had 12 of their own. Seniors Dan Vanderslice and Rick Reigner each had 5 points. North's Woody Redding, who just yesterday was knocked out of the game in the first quarter due to a concussion, came back today to score 23 points, a game high. The kid deserves a lot of credit for coming back the day after a concussion, and scoring like he did. With the win, Bonner will play St. Joe's Prep in the first round of the Catholic League playoffs. The Hawks, went 9-5 in the regular season, good enough for the three-seed. Meanwhile, Bonner finishes the season at 5-9 in the league, and clinch the sixth and final playoff berth. As for the game, Bonner will take on the Prep on WEDNESDAY, February 17th, at 3:45 AT the Prpe. Admission is $5.
Elsewhere in the Catholic League: Roman Catholic added another win to its record, defeating Father Judge 55-45. Roman finishes at 11-3 in the league, while Judge finishes at 6-8. In the Blue division, Wood beat McDevitt 60-47. Neumann-Goretti will take on Dougherty tonight.

Here are the Playoff Matchups:

RED DIVISION:
1. LaSalle 2. Roman Catholic (First Round Byes)
3. St. Joe's Prep vs 6. Monsignor Bonner Wednesday 3:45 at PREP
4. North Catholic vs 5. Father Judge Wednesday 7:00 at North

BLUE DIVISION
1. Neumann-Goretti 2. Archbishop Carroll (First Round Byes)
3. Archbishop Wood vs 6. West Catholic Wednesday 7:00 at Wood
4. Conwell-Egan vs 5. Cardinal Dougherty Wednesday 7:00 at Egan