PIAA Class A boys championship breakdown: Vincentian vs. Sankofa Freedom

By: Chris Harlan
Thursday, March 21, 2019 | 9:45 AM

PIAA Class A boys championship

Vincentian Academy vs. Sankofa Freedom Academy

2 p.m., Thursday at Giant Center, Hershey

TV: PCN

Vincentian Academy (20-8)

Coach: Tim Tyree Jr.

No., Name, Pos., Ht., Yr.

1, Nate Cullo, G, 5-8, Jr.

5, Alex Griggs, G, 6-0, So.

22, Matt McDonough, G, 5-10, Fr.

24, Angelo Reeves, F, 6-6, So.

35, Ethan Embleton, F, 6-6, Jr.

Sankofa Freedom Academy (17-10)

Coach: Isaiah Thomas

No., Name, Pos., Ht., Yr.

0, Jaymes Savage, G, 6-1, Sr.

1, Derrius Ward, F, 6-5, Jr.

3, Khalil Turner, F, 6-6, Sr.

10, Kobe Devine, G, 5-7, Sr.

23, Scott Spann, G, 6-1, Sr.

How they got here: WPIAL runner-up Vincentian defeated St. Joseph’s Academy, 79-65, Elk County Catholic, 63-57, Cornell, 59-49, and Monessen, 57-43. District 12 champion Sankofa Freedom Academy defeated Conestoga Christian, 99-44, St. John Neumann, 71-30, Faith Christian, 75-46, and Lourdes Regional, 66-49.

Notable: Sankofa Freedom is a charter school that competes in Philadelphia’s public league. The team’s top player is Turner, a Rider commit. However, in the PIAA semifinals, Ward scored 25 and Spann had 16 against Lourdes Regional. Vincentian Academy has a balanced offense with four scorers averaging in double figures: Reeves 14.5, Griggs 13.9, Cullo 12.3 and Embleton 10.4. The Royals’ fifth starter, McDonough, averages 9.7.

Finals history: Both teams are making their PIAA championship debut.

Predicted winner: Sankofa Freedom Academy

Preview story: Vincentian Academy boys ready for PIAA finals matchup against Sankofa Freedom Academy

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Vincentian Academy