Young Cathedral Prep boys basketball team continues development in Burger King Classic
New Cathedral Prep head boys basketball coach Jeremy Lynch has preached to his young team that each tough game is part of the learning process.
The Ramblers showed progress against two state contenders this past weekend but lost both games in the Burger King Classic. Prep started the 40th classic by hanging with PIAA Class 4A runner-up Neumann-Goretti for more than three quarters before losing 76-64 followed by another mostly close game that ended in a 76-60 loss to Niagara Falls (N.Y.).
“It's a learning experience for us in a great atmosphere and great environment,” Lynch said. “Our guys got to play another level of competition and it shows us where we are now and where we need to get to.”
Prep dropped to 3-8 on the season but has shown signs of getting better since splitting four games in Las Vegas at the Tarkanianian Classic. The Ramblers returned home to beat Austintown Fitch 69-58. Fitch is one of three teams to beat red-hot Hickory this season.
Prep then lost a close road game at Franklin 65-63 before two quality performances in the Burger King Classic. Franklin is a defending District 10 champion who went to the PIAA quarterfinals last year and could make another run this year.
Several Ramblers have stepped up including McDowell transfer Nando Mirarchi, who is averaging more than 14 points per game, along with Spencer Kanne and sophomore Michael Thompson who are both over 12 ppg. All three are underclassmen and have led by example on the court.
Mirarchi had 18 points and nine defensive rebounds Friday in the loss to Neumann-Goretti, while Thompson had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Kanne and Joey Spano each had 11 points.
On Saturday, Thompson scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds followed by Mirarchi with 14 points.
“Nando, Spencer and Mike have all been thrown into primary ball handling and scoring positions this year,” Lynch said. “It's tough when you don't have experience on the floor but I'm so proud of the guys for handling it this season.”
The young Ramblers have also done it without senior star Amaree Pickens, who continues to battle a shoulder injury. He played in a little more than three quarters against Erie High, but hasn't played in another game this season.
“It's difficult for the guys because they know what he can do and they want him out there as a leader on the floor,” Lynch said about Pickens. “We hope to have him back soon but there's no timetable.”
Prep will look to get another winning streak going this week as the Ramblers continue region play with a home game Tuesday against Fort LeBoeuf, a road game at General McLane Friday and a home game with Meadville on Jan. 16. Prep then has a four-game road trip starting with Harbor Creek on Jan. 19 before the first showdown with rival McDowell on Jan. 23.
Revenge of the Saints
Neumann-Goretti wanted a rematch with Lincoln Park after losing to the Leopards 62-58 in the PIAA Class 4A final last winter. The Saints earned that rematch with a win over Prep on Friday and went on to beat Lincoln Park 82-67 on Saturday.
Larenzon Jerkins had 23 points and 17 rebounds for Neumann-Goretti, while St. Joe's recruit Khaafiq Myers had 22 points. Jerkins, who is being heavily recruited by the top Division II schools in the country, finished the classic with 31 rebounds, which ranks sixth all-time. The record is 38 by Kennedy Catholic graduate and recent Indiana Pacer Oscar Tshiebwe.
Meleek Thomas, who has offers from most major Division I schools, had 29 points for Lincoln Park and Pitt recruit Brandin Cummings had 22.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep boys basketball Burger King Classic
