Coatesville gets a second chance … and the Red Raiders can win a district title at the same time.
On Jan. 10, Plymouth Whitemarsh beat Coatesville 71-56.
On Sunday at St. Joseph’s University at 3 p.m., the two will meet for the District 1 Class 6A boys basketball title – the crown jewel of suburban Philadelphia hoops.
It’s been 25 years since the Red Raiders won a district title, while it’s been just three years for the Colonials.
Both teams enter the game 22-5 and are guaranteed high seeds in the PIAA tournament.
When one thinks District 1 basketball history, Coatesville, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Chester are among the top teams that come to mind.
That the Red Raiders and Colonials will meet for the title, for the first time since 1964 when PW won 73-63, is a bonus for what has already been an exciting district tournament for the Red Raiders.
After winning the Ches-Mont League championship and earning a bye, the third-seeded Red Raiders dispatched of Chester, 75-61, before facing Abington in the quarterfinals.
The Red Raiders’ quest to win the district was almost derailed, but they prevailed in overtime, 69-64.
They then had to go on the road, after playing before sell-out crowds the first two games in their home gym, to play second-seeded Methacton.
Larry Brown and Colton Hiller propelled the Red Raiders to a 61-54 win to set up the rematch with PW on the big stage.
Brown, a 6-7 forward, went over the 1,000-point mark for his career, scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking four shots.
Hiller, a 6-7 sophomore who is already getting Division 1 attention, has gone over 1,000 points for his high school career and had 15 points against Methaction.
Sunday will be the Red Raiders’ 17th appearance in the district title game. They’ve won five championships with their last in 2001.
Plymouth Whitemarsh doesn’t lack for star power either, featuring two Division 1 recruits.
Michael Pereira has committed to Penn and Mani Sajid to Towson. Both are seniors.
In their last time in the title game, 2019, Coatesville lost to Abington.
Another revenge win would be even sweeter for the Red Raiders.
