Cranberry Twp, PA - Basketball is set to tip-off this first weekend of December. Both boys and girls will start their respective seasons as they hit the court for multiple games. The girls will be on the road while the boys will host a tournament here at North Catholic.
Last year the boys' and girls' teams ended their seasons with records of 22-6 (girls) and 16-4 (boys). The girls finished with a WPIAL Championship title and made it to the PIAA semifinals. The boys fell short in the second round of the WPIAL playoffs against an impressive Lincoln Park team. This year, both teams want more. To be specific, trips to the Petersen Events Center, and the Giant Center in Hershey, PA.
For the boys, they are hosting the North Catholic Tip-Off Tournament presented by Glidden and Dickie, McCamey Attorneys at Law. Four teams will be taking to Barth and Graham court starting Saturday afternoon. Monsignor Scanlon (Bronx, NY), Devon Prep (Philadelphia, PA), Imani Christian (Pittsburgh, PA) and your Trojans are all set for an exciting showcase. Coach Rocco spoke on the reasoning behind hosting out-of-town teams, along with why it benefits the team in section play.
"They are very good teams, with very talented athletes. We will get better playing against very good teams. It forces us to be at our very best. The team is working hard, improving every day. A super group of quality young men. A privilege to be with them every day."
The complete tournament schedule is below. All games will be carried live on the North Catholic Sports Network.
Saturday, Dec 3
- Imani Christian vs Monsignor Scanlon | 1:00pm
- Devon Prep vs North Catholic | 3:00pm
Sunday, Dec 4
- Imani Christian vs Devon Prep | 12:00pm
- Monsignor Scanlon vs North Catholic | 2:00pm
As for the Trojanettes, they will take on WPIAL opponents in Gateway on Friday, December 2, and Woodland Hills Saturday, December 3. The team will travel to Washington D.C. the weekend of December 9-11, for the She Got Game Classic. There are over 150 teams from across the country competing in this tournament. The girls will play Kings Fork (VA) and Sanford (DE) in their two games. Coach Molly Rottmann spoke on the benefits of returning to the tournament again this year.
"We are playing two very competitive teams; both return multiple starters and will be great competition for us. Playing high level teams from around the country force us to compete at a high level early on and is a great way to gear up for section play. We have a great returning core from last year's team, and I am seeing the leadership from them that I hoped for."
The Trojans open their WPIAL home schedule on Wednesday, December 7, at 7:30pm when they host Seneca Valley. The Trojanettes open their home schedule on Thursday, December 15, when Highlands comes to Barth and Graham Court. You can catch both games live on the North Catholic Sports Network.
