Archbishop Carroll’s boys basketball team won against Penn Wood High School onFriday night by a score of 77-66. 

Before the game, the boys reflected on their goals for the season. 

“Basketball makes me happy– it allows me to get away from all the problems of life,” says senior Dean Coleman-Newsome. “I want to win the Palestra, state and city championships, but also get the Catholic League MVP.”

These are major events in basketball that are a shared dream by many of the players.

“Ever since I was real young, I always played on the courts with my cousins which was always fun,” said senior Khair Dixon.“I want to go to the Palestra, states, and all cities this year.” 

The Palestra event is one of the biggest basketball events in the Philadelphia Catholic League. It is at the University of Pennsylvania’s basketball court, where the top two teams out of all of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia battle to win the PCL title. 

“All of our players play an important role,” said Francis Bowe, the team’s head coach. “If everyone embraces their roles, we will have a successful season.”

Coach Bowe is going into his fifth year of coaching at Carroll. 

Ian Williams, a freshman point guard, said that his teammates believe in him and that their belief allows him to help his teammates reach their goals.

“My leadership and mentality– I feel as though I can really help my teammates out to succeed and go to colleges because you know, we got a lot of seniors and a lot of juniors, so I want to put on for them.” said the freshman. 

However, the team feels as though they cannot make it to the PCL championship alone.

“We need all the support from everybody–all the positive support,” Dixon said. 

“Everyone coming out to the games, and being supportive– all that,” said Coleman-Newsome. 

Coach Bowe finished off by asking the Carroll community to “please show up to the games and ROCK THE GYM with your cheers!”