CL Title Game Recaps
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1923
At Auditorium Hall, Wilmington
SJ Prep 22, Salesianum 21
  John "Jocko" Collins shot 12-for-17 at the line en route to 14 points as the Hawklets held on after building a 21-14 lead. Lex Gillespie led Salesianum with 17 points, thanks to a 15-for-20 showing at the line. This was the last season in which the rules allowed one player to shoot all of his team's free throws.

1925
At Adelphia Ring
Roman 23, SJ Prep 18
  Before 4,000, Frank Dudley hit three key field goals and Bernard "Agates" McKeever hit a free throw to put the Cahillites ahead for good, 4-3. James "Bones" Hanley was knocked out cold, but was to able to return to action.

1937
Best-of-Three
At Salesianum
Salesianum 25, La Salle 23
 
Jimmy Duncan scored 10 points and hit a disputed last-second field goal to win it. La Salle's scorekeeper said the field goal was late. Salesianum's scorekeeper and timer said the field goal was good, but that the gun jammed. Officials Harry Litwack and Ben Stackowski decided in favor of the Sallies. Ed Krupa and Johnny Brnich had 10 points apiece for La Salle.
At La Salle
La Salle 19, Salesianum 18
  Johnny Brnich hit a free throw to provide a 19-16 lead and Bill Taylor's basket could only draw Salesianum close.
At the Palestra
La Salle 29, Salesianum 25
  Before 6,000, Johnny Brnich (13) led La Salle, which forged a 28-13 lead after three quarters and then held on. Jimmy Duncan and Earl Cook paced Salesianum with eight points apiece.

1939
Best-of-Three
At North
South 35, SJ Prep 32
 
Lou Fiorella scored 13 points and Joe Longo added 10. Bill Kenney (nine) paced The Prep.
At North
South 33, SJ Prep 26
 
Two baskets by Lou Fiorella and one by Jim Curran enabled the Pirates to turn a 21-20 deficit into a 26-21 lead and pave the way to the school's first title. Ed Flannery (eight) led The Prep.

1942
At the Palestra
La Salle 28, West 23
  The Explorers scored 10 consecutive points after falling behind, 3-0. Ed Shepper scored nine points while Bill Maher and Ed Burns had seven apiece. Joe Dougherty (nine) led West.

1943
At the Palestra
Roman 31, West 24
  The Cahillites, who'd begun league play with six consecutive losses, capped an amazing run by toppling favored West before 7,500. Jack Maloney scored 11 points, Joe Rogers was a terror on defense and Andy Quinn hit two clutch shots in the closing minutes. West's Gabe Poletti scored 10 points.

1944
At Convention Hall
South 47, West 41
 
Joe McDonald erupted for 21 points, Joe Hannan added 13 and Joe Gorman played a strong floor game as 8,000 witnessed. West, which had won 17 consecutive league games, received nine points from Francis "Reds" Bagnell.

1945
At Convention Hall
South 34, West 28
 
Larry Foust scored 15 of his 19 points in a 24-10 first half as the Pirates impressed a crowd of 9,500. No one scored more than six points for West, which made the final score look respectable by scoring 11 of the last 12 points.

1946
At Convention Hall
La Salle 36, South 30
  
Before 9,000, John Weglicki scored 12 points and Jack Kane swished four set shots for eight more markers as the Explorers kept South from winning a third consecutive title. The defense played by Weglicki on 6-9 Larry Foust (17, nine on free throws) and by Paul Sunderman on Jim "Reds" Furey (three) was crucial to the win.

1947
At the Palestra
SJ Prep 33, La Salle 29
  Tom Rittenhouse scored 13 points as the Hawklets won their first title since 1923. John Gillespie, namesake of North Catholic’s football coach, added eight while making the decisive basket. In a sluggish first half, The Prep went nine-plus minutes without a field goal and La Salle (Jim Phelan 15) went seven.

1948
At the Palestra
La Salle 38, West 24
 
Playmaker Charles "Buddy" Donnelly took team scoring honors with 13 points while Tom Checchia and Dan Kane added 10 apiece. Ernie Beck (14) scored all 12 of West's second half points.

1949
At the Palestra
West 53, South 37
 
Ernie Beck led the relatively easy win with 20 points. The Burrs used a 9-1 run in the first 4:45 of the second quarter to take a 21-11 lead. Dennis Collins (15) topped South.

1950
At the Palestra
La Salle 28, South 23
 
Tom Gola scored 14 points as the Explorers (23-0) extended their winning streak to 24 games and captured their third title in five years. John Kane added seven points. No one scored in double figures for South.

1951
At the Palestra
ST More 54, West 47
 
Before at least 7,500, the Golden Bears topped their neighborhood rival to win their first championship in 14 years of CL play. Al Juliana (12), John Wallin (11), John "Misty" Fannon and John Hueter (10 apiece) scored in double figures. Joseph "Tubby" Walker coached More through the playoffs after yielding to the Rev. Joseph Hilferty at midseason because of illness. Dave Clune (14) and Ed Williams (13) led West.

1952
At the Palestra
West 50, ST More 46 (ot)
  With 8,000 looking on, the Burrs gained revenge for 1951's title-game loss and ended More's 26-game winning streak. Ed Williams (13), Walt Maxwell (12), sub Jim Smith (11) and Joe Sturgis (10) led the way. Sturgis and Smith split the first four points in overtime, which was forced by Al Juliana's layup for More (John "Misty" Fannon 16).

1953
At the Palestra
West 53, La Salle 52
  
Bill Lindsay scored 16 points while Bob Devine (12) and John McNicholas (11) aided the cause. La Salle (Tom Derago 21) missed four consecutive shots when it faced a 52-50 deficit and then Lindsay added a clinching free throw.

1954
At the Palestra
South 51, West 45
  Jim Grazione (18) and Rich DeFusco (10) scored in double figures for South, which trailed just once, 1-0. The largest lead, 31-18, was provided as Jim Tobin and Fred Giordano scored on successive tap-ins. Bob Devine, Charles Eltringham and Jack Savage split 30 points for West.

1955
At the Palestra
West 63, La Salle 55
 
Joe McGinn's 11-point effort — all on free throws — typified the game, which gave Jim Usilton Jr. his third championship in his four years as coach. The teams combined to shoot 84 free throws as West went 35-for-52 and La Salle went 19-for-32. Joe Spratt scored seven of his 15 points in a 19-13 fourth quarter. Pat Carey scored 16 points. George Schmidt (16) and Hugh Brolly (14) were high for La Salle.

1956
At the Palestra
North 48, La Salle 47
 
The Falcons, making their first appearance in the title game, emerged victorious when John "Josh" Keenan scored on a last-second rebound basket after Fred "Zeke" Slaveski missed a jumper and then hustled for the rebound and missed the follow, too. Keenan scored 16 points, two more than Bobby McNeill (10-for-13 at line). Hugh Brolly (18) and Joe Heyer (17) led La Salle.

1957
At the Palestra
North 37, La Salle 32
 
Baskets by Ed Rotz, Tom Samulewicz (10 points), Joe "Zeke" Zawacki and Larry Sarafinas enabled North to turn an 18-14 deficit into a 22-18 edge. La Salle received 12 points from Jerry Cosgrove and 10 from George Bauder, but drew no closer than four in the final quarter.

1958
At the Palestra
Neumann 67, Judge 59
 
Five-six Bill Mulvihill, the smallest starter in the league, shot 8-for-13 and 10-for-12 for 26 points while adding five rebounds, seven steals and even six rebounds. Jim Gannon scored 10 of his 23 points in the first quarter. He shot 11-for-16. Judge's 6-2 Dan McKendry had 20 points and 20 rebounds. John Andreoli added 14 points.

1959
At the Palestra
West 59, Judge 58
 
Jim Boyle (18 points), Jim Flavin (14) and Herb Magee (10) led the Burrs, who opted to stall after grabbing a 58-57 lead with 3:20 left. Dribbling whiz Jim Lynam added one free throw for a 59-57 lead at 1:29 and Judge's Joe Kelly made one at 1:00. Judge got the last shot, but John Monahan (16) missed a 16-footer. John Andreoli scored 18 points for Judge.

1960
At the Palestra
Bonner 62, St. James 45
 
Frank Corace popped for 20 points while Charles "Bud" O'Donnell (17) and Paul Gallagher (10) also reached double figures. The Friars led, 39-18, after three quarters. Steve Courtin (14) paced St. James.

1961
At the Palestra
ST More 48, Dougherty 47
 
Soph Larry White scored 13 points to compensate for the fact leader Bob Zell (eight) missed his first 13 shots. Joe Burton grabbed 13 rebounds and John Garrett's two free throws put More ahead for good, 46-45, with 2:11 left. For Dougherty, Ed Hockenbury (18) and Vince Richardson (15) scored in double figures. Joe White failed to connect on a last-shot jumper.

1962
At the Palestra
SJ Prep 53, Dougherty 47
 
Matt Guokas (15) was the only Hawklet to score in double figures, but Eddie Burke, Tom Duff and Bill McFadden added nine points apiece and sub Tom Macksey managed seven. The Prep took control (46-33) with a 27-8 burst in the first 13 minutes of the second half. The Hawklets were coached by the Rev. James H. Donahoe, who'd relieved Ed "Dutch" Doyle (heart attack) early in the season.

1963
At the Palestra
La Salle 55, Dougherty 43
 
Frank Gaidjunas contributed 22 points and eight rebounds as 34-year coach Charles "Obie" O'Brien won his seventh championship and first since 1950. George Smith added 12 points and nine boards and Bill Magarity five times forced Dougherty players into missed layups on fast breaks. George Paull (16) paced Dougherty.

1964
At the Palestra
Dougherty 69, Egan 59
 
Phil Serianni scored 17 points, Maurice Savage mixed 16 points and 13 rebounds and Gerry McKendry managed 15 points as the Cardinals triumphed before 8,805. Dougherty alone sold 4,800 tickets. Dave Frederick (22) and Chris Cosmas (10-for-15, 21) led the Eagles.

1965
At the Palestra
Neumann 68, Bonner 50
 
Frank Gillen, not known as a shooter, sniped 9-for-12 en route to 20 points. Mike Barrett scored 16 points and George Belka grabbed 14 rebounds. Mike Hauer and Bill "Skip" McCauley split 22 points for Bonner.

1966
At the Palestra
ST More 62, Judge 47
 
Fran O'Hanlon scored 20 points and the Golden Bears used a 49-20 rebound advantage to overcome 27-for-74 shooting. John Pierantozzi (18), 250-pound Pat McDonnell and Carl Brooks (13 apiece) led the boarding. Gene Kelly (16) topped Judge.

1967
At the Palestra
North 58, Bonner 56 (2 ot)
 
The game was decided when Ron Kurtz (15 points) missed a 25-foot jumper and Dennis Bohn (10) soared high to bank home a buzzer-beating follow. Hank Siemiontkowski scored 19 points and canned two tip-ins to finalize regulation at 50-50. The Falcons led, 56-51, with 1:19 left in the first OT before Bonner rallied. The Friars' Nick Scogna scored 10 of his 21 points in the final quarter.

1968
At the Palestra
O'Hara 53, Judge 52 (ot)
 
O'Hara authored one of the more legendary chapters in CL history by scoring the final 13 points of regulation in 2:18. Mike Daly hit a 25-footer to complete the comeback, during which Judge missed four one-and-ones, grabbed no rebounds and committed four turnovers. Joe Hazinsky (15), Tom Ingelsby (13) and Daly (12) scored in double figures. Ingelsby dribbled away most of the extra session and swished a clinching free throw with 0:16 left. The Lions' playoff run featured four OTs and three wins by five points total. Judge suffered a blow when floor leader Tim Fehrle (17) fouled out with 1:44 left in regulation.

1969
At the Palestra
Roman 66, North 54
  
John Pindynski shot 15-for-19 at the line en route to 25 points while Mike Bantom (13) and Mike Moody claimed 16 rebounds apiece to lead Roman to its first title since 1943. Jim O'Brien (12) and Larry Storm (11) also scored in double figures. For North, Mark Williams mixed 16 points and 13 rebounds and Iggy Brodzinski scored 15 points.

1970
At the Palestra
Dougherty 45, North 44
 
Paul Tucker totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists and sub Greg Jones shot 6-for-9 for 12 points. Jones missed a one-and-one with 0:04 left and then North's Joe Rymal came close on a buzzer-beating 40-footer. For North, John Hyduk scored 12 points, Jim Boylan had 10 points and 20 rebounds and Gene Kweeder had nine points, 15 boards.

1971
At the Palestra
SJ Prep 64, O'Hara 58
 
Maurice "Mo" Howard shot 12-for-18 and 5-for-8 for 29 points — a CL postseason record — and Bill Truskey mixed 13 points with 12 rebounds as The Prep prevailed. Two baskets by Howard and another by Truskey allowed the Hawklets to take a 49-46 lead and maintain control from there. Mike Arizin (22) and Ed Manning (17) led O'Hara.

1972
At the Palestra
ST More 54, North 42
 
Carl Kenty collected 13 points, 19 rebounds and eight blocks as Tommy More made Eddie Burke the first coach in CL history to win back-to-back championships at different schools. Emery Sammons scored 16 points and Larry Sanders grabbed 13 rebounds. Barry Brodzinski (11) and Mike Kernan (10) paced North, whose fans pelted the court with four stink bombs during the game and with empty beer cans as the Golden Bears celebrated.

1973
At the Palestra
Roman 40, Judge 30
 
Donald Kelly scored 14 points and dished three assists, Jim "Chico" Singleton mixed 10 points, seven rebounds and six steals and John Griffin scored 11 points. Also, sub Marcellus Pringle grabbed nine rebounds and played tough defense on Jim Edwards (10, 13 rebounds).

1974
At the Palestra
Roman 50, La Salle 42
 
Zane Major overcame a scary incident to total 14 points and 13 rebounds and help the Cahillites become the CL's first back-to-back champs since North Catholic in 1956 and '57. With 0:28 left in the third quarter, a rock came zooming toward the floor and hit Major in the head. He retreated to the locker room, was patched up with three stitches and received a standing ovation when he re-entered the game with 6:03 left. Mike LaPera, Roman's lowest-scoring starter, added 14 points. Ed Mearion had 14 points for La Salle, which used only five players. All attempted 11 to 13 shots from the floor.

1975
At the Palestra
Judge 48, Roman 46
 
Jim "Mo" Connolly shot 7-for-9 for 16 points and Al Clancy added 12 as the Crusaders, a 20-year CL member, won their first title after numerous bouts with frustration. After Ira Brown hit a 15-footer with 0:26 left to pull Roman within 46-44, Judge scored the clincher as Tom Kneib hit Clancy with a long-distance pass and Clancy fed Dennis Taylor for an easy layup. Mike Morrow (19) and Zane Major (14) led Roman.

1976
At the Palestra
Kenrick 64, West 54
 
Paul Mulholland shot 9-for-14 for 21 points, Tom Catagnus (17) and Robert "Butch" Bontempo (11) also scored in double figures and Phil Eisenmann scored two consecutive baskets for a 54-48 lead as Kenrick became the fourth suburban team to win the championship, joining Bonner in 1960, La Salle in '63 and O'Hara in '68. Michael Brooks (22, 12 rebounds) and Mike Davis (14, 11) led West.

1977
At the Palestra
Judge 56, Carroll 53
 
Frank Ciurlino shot 10-for-14 and 4-for-5 for a season-high 24 points and notched the Crusaders' final six points on two baskets and two clinching free throws with 0:09 left. Bob Convey added 12 points and four assists and Tom "Mo" Greenfield had 10 points. Kevin "Butch" Lynam (16) and Greg Webster (15) paced Carroll.

1978
At the Palestra
Roman 61, Judge 49
 
Reggie Jackson combined 20 points with seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks and sixth man Ralph Mack grabbed nine boards. Roman led for the final 18:30 and the bulge reached 20 points. The Cahillites shot 50.6 percent in the playoffs and held their opponents to 36.6. Judge had no one in double figures.

1979
At the Palestra
Roman 61, Ryan 47
 
Lonnie McFarlan collected 16 points, 11 boards and five assists for Roman, which swept to a 44-25 edge in the second half. In his first extended playing time in a meaningful game, sub Ray Gorham shot 6-for-8 and 3-for-3 for 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Bob Filer (17) and Ed Mostak (12) led Ryan.

1980
At the Palestra
Roman 49, Kenrick 41
 
Lonnie McFarlan shot 9-for-14 and 8-for-11 for 26 points and snatched 10 rebounds as Roman became the first CL team to win three consecutive championships since South Catholic from 1939 to '41. The triumph also gave Roman and coach Bill "Speedy" Morris six titles in 12 years. Glenn Welton (10) and Gerald Roberts (six assists) helped. Kenrick's Tom Scott had 11 points, 11 rebounds.

1981
At the Palestra
La Salle 40, West 38
 
While facing a triangle-and-two — on Chip Greenberg (14) and Chris O'Brien — for the first time all season, La Salle scored just four second-half field goals but managed to capture its first title since 1963. Mark Mischler had 10 points and eight rebounds and Mike Flanigan hit two free throws for a 40-36 lead with 0:21 left. West's Anthony Murphy had 13 points, eight boards.

1982
At the Palestra
Roman 47, Judge 41 (ot)
  Dallas Comegys (14 points, eight rebounds), Rob Lawton (12, five) and Anthony Abron (eight, eight) did the job inside and Rob Williams dealt five assists. Paul McIntyre had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Judge and scored 10 consecutive points to provide a 32-23 lead. Tom "Doc" Conroy was unable to hit a 12-footer on the right wing as regulation ended.

1983
At the Palestra
Bonner 73, Judge 53
 
Jack Concannon shot 7-for-9 and 7-for-8 for 21 points and plucked 15 rebounds as the Friars gave a championship to coach Ed "Shot" Stefanski, who resigned in the locker room afterward. Rodney Blake (19, six blocks), Tom Gormley (14, six assists) and Jim "Goose" Welde (five assists) helped. Judge's John Boyle had 14 points, four assists.

1984
At St. Joseph's University
Bonner 58, La Salle 56
 
In 22 foul-plagued minutes, Rodney Blake shot 8-for-11 and 7-for-9 for 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Friars won again and the coach, Art Hunter, resigned again. Dave Koskinen had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Steve Eilola, going 32 minutes for the first time, grabbed 11 rebounds. With 5:35 left, Bonner expanded its lead from 47-44 to 50-44 after a technical foul was called when someone threw a chunk of ice from the top of La Salle's rooting section. For La Salle, Craig Conlin had 20 points, Tom Gizzi mixed 17 points and 10 rebounds, John Zamichieli missed a last-second shot and athletic director Marty Stanczak claimed the ice was thrown by someone who was not a student at either school.

1985
At St. Joseph's University
Neumann 57, La Salle 54
  Steve Benton came through with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, John Gilroy had 10 points and nine boards and    Frank Giunta dealt six assists as the Pirates won their first title since 1965. With 0:06 left, Benton missed a one-and-one, but got a reprieve when a La Salle player entered the lane too fast. He then made both free throws. For La Salle, which shot 8-for-17 at the line, Craig Conlin shot 10-for-13 and 3-for-4 for 23 points and took eight rebounds.

1986
At Villanova Pavilion
Roman 84, Dougherty 57
  Sub Clayton "Stink" Adams dished 11 assists and Ernest Pollard (22, 11 rebounds) and Kevin Cofield (14) led five double-digit scorers as the Cahillites stormed to victory. Coach Barry Brodzinski used 16 players and, by game's end, three different styles of uniform were in evidence. John Przybylinski (16) and John "Jake" Jones (14) led Dougherty.

1987
At Villanova Pavilion
North 63, Roman 59
  Dave Mastropietro (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Jim Schultice (19, 12) were bulwarks inside, Kevin Comey had five assists and Tim Comey converted a one-and-one with 0:03 left as the Falcons won their first championship since 1967. Schultice showed North's resolve when he missed three shots on the same possession and then made a fourth with 4:27 left. Kevin Comey was Roman coach Dennis Seddon's paperboy. For Roman, Alan Watkins had 15 points and 10 rebounds while Clayton "Stink" Adams added 13 points, eight assists.

1988
At the Palestra
Bonner 62, North 59
 
Brian Daly shot 8-for-17 and 12-for-14 for 30 points — setting a record for a CL final — while sub Tom Fitzpatrick grabbed nine rebounds and Pat Lynch had five assists, two steals. Daly's 74 points accounted for 38.1 percent of the Friars' postseason scoring. He scored his final two points by making two free throws at 0:03 after North was slapped with a technical foul for calling an illegal timeout. North's Jim Schultice had 19 points, 14 rebounds.

1989
At the Palestra
Roman 66, La Salle 56
 
Jim O'Rourke fired away for 25 points, including eight of Roman's final nine, and Ruben Colon had 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. Mike McKee sprinkled nine assists and Alan Watkins scored 14 points. La Salle got 17 points from Chris Lazorcheck and trailed by just one, 54-53, with 2:20 left.

1990
At the Palestra
Roman 64, La Salle 62 (ot)
 
With 0:10 left, Marvin Harrison took a pass from Mike McKee (nine assists), sped down the left side of the lane virtually unmolested and flipped in a lefthanded layup at 0:06. La Salle called time at 0:03 and then missed two shots, Chris Lazorcheck's three and Ernie Koschineg's hurried follow. Roman was the first CL team to storm through division and playoff action unbeaten since Neumann in 1965. Bernard Jones shot 12-for-18 and 6-for-9 for 30 points, tying the title-game mark set in 1988 by Bonner's Brian Daly. Jones added 13 rebounds. Mike Watson had 18 points. Koschineg scored 24 points for La Salle.

1991
At the Palestra
Roman 70, La Salle 36
 
Marvin Harrison (nine rebounds) and Bernard Jones totaled 18 points apiece and Mike Watson added 11 points and 14 rebounds as Roman won its 44th CL game in succession (regular season and playoffs). The Cahillites won their 14 division games by an average score of 83-48 and their three playoffs by an average score of 77-45. No one reached double figures for La Salle.

1992
At the Palestra
Roman 77, Dougherty 68
 
Kyle Locke, a 6-6 senior forward, exploded for 39 points — most in CL playoff history — as the Cahillites won their fourth title in a row. Locke shot 11-for-17 and 17-for-18 and added eight rebounds. James "Flame" Lewis notched 15 points, seven boards and 5-8 Dwayne "Sugar" Hill plucked a game-high 11 rebounds. Dougherty's Cuttino "Cat" Mobley scored 28 points to finish with 42.8 percent of his team's 166 playoff points. The Cards used two sets of twins — starters Dan and Ed Kearney and subs Shawn and Brian Simkins.

1993
At the Palestra
Roman 62, North 55 (ot)
 
Marc Jackson accumulated 22 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks and Dwayne "Sugar" Hill added 17 points, eight assists and three steals as Roman won a fifth consecutive title under coach Dennis Seddon to match a feat that had been done only once in CL history — by Roman from 1924 to '28. There was no scoring in the final 2:30 of regulation and then Jackson passed to Mike Tabb for the first two baskets of overtime. Joe Harvey (14) and Matt Comey (13) paced North.

1994
At the Palestra
Roman 60, North 53
 
Lari Ketner produced 20 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks, sub Will McKnight added 16 points and R.C. Kehoe hustled for nine assists and six steals as the Cahillites won yet again. The teams combined for 48 turnovers. North's Chris Heck hit four threes en route to 23 points while guard Dennis Comey added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

1995
At the Palestra
Carroll 72, Roman 65
 
Tom Dearborn scored 21 points and Paul Romanczuk (11 rebounds) shot 7-for-7 en route to 16 points as the Patriots won the title for the first time in 27 years of CL membership. Rafal Bigus tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists and soph Martin Ingelsby, son of coach Tom Ingelsby, dealt seven assists. For Roman, which parted company with its streak of 20 consecutive playoff victories, Donnie Carr and Arthur "Yah" Davis scored 16 each while Lari Ketner had 14 points, 15 boards.

1996
At the Palestra
Roman 57, Carroll 47
 
Donnie Carr (19), Jakub "Jimmy" Juskowiak (15) and Rafi Stevens (13, 10 rebounds) led in scoring, R.C. Kehoe distributed six assists and Curtis King rejected five shots as the Cahillites claimed their seventh title in eight years and 15th in 28. Dennis Seddon, the coach for 10 seasons, won his 250th game. Tom Dearborn (20) and Martin Ingelsby (15) paced Carroll.

1997
At the Palestra
Neumann 54, Carroll 46
 
After taking a 15-minute hot shower before the game to ease back pain, sixth man Devon Fowler completed an impressive playoff run by shooting 5-for-6 and 5-for-6 for 17 points in 23 minutes as the Pirates sentenced Carroll to its first defeat of the season. Victor Thomas added 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks and provided Neumann's first lead, 45-43, with 3:59 left when he grabbed a miss and scored on a slam dunk. Mark Del Brocco scored 13 points. For Carroll, which shot 2-for-21 on threes, Bill Phillips bagged 16 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks.

1998
At the Palestra
Judge 62, O'Hara 48
 
Jim Reeves hustled for 21 points and 10 rebounds while Josh Rorer (11) and Brendan Ferns (nine) split 14 boards as the Crusaders won their first title since 1977 and avenged a jolting loss to O'Hara in the 1968 championship game. In that one, O'Hara scored 13 consecutive points in the final 2:18 of regulation to force overtime. The final was 53-52. The Lions' Louis Becht hit five threes for 15 points and Alex Sazonov notched seven blocks.

1999
At Temple's Apollo
Roman 68, West 45
 
Eddie Griffin, a 6-8 junior, totaled 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks as Roman won its seventh title of the decade and eighth in 11 years under coach Dennis Seddon. Griffin finished the playoffs with 68 points, 36 rebounds and 23 blocks. Point guard Mustafa Bey (five assists) was the only senior in the Cahillites' nine-man rotation. Sophs Tamal Forchion (12 points), Brent Welton (a career-high nine off the bench) and John Huggins (eight) combined to shoot 13-for-15. For West, Ronald Banks scored 17 points and Greg McCleary had 12 points, 10 rebounds.

2000
At Temple's Apollo
Roman 58, Neumann 55
 
After enduring a mostly frustrating season, sub John Huggins had 15 points and four assists in 26 minutes and made a steal and two free throws with 32.4 seconds left to provide a 56-53 lead. Neumann's Brandon Brigman (follow) and Roman's Brent Welton (two foul shots) traded scores, then Neumann's Cantrell "Man-Man" Fletcher barely missed a buzzer-beater from the right side of halfcourt. For Roman, Michael Wild (17 points) hit three treys, Tamal Forchion grabbed 14 rebounds and Eddie Griffin had 15 points, 10 boards, six blocks. Five Pirates scored from nine to 13 points while Fletcher had seven assists and Brigman had 13 boards. Robert "Beattie" Taylor (pronounced) and David "Meatball" Crawford (mild) played with limps after suffering ankle injuries. Both schools' rooters threw trash at each other and Roman's net-cutting ceremony was delayed by 10 minutes.

2001
At Temple's Apollo
Neumann 60, Roman 59
   With others on both teams looking tight and shaky, freshman point guard Richard "Tabby" Cunningham was calm and confident while leading the Pirates to the title. He shot 6-for-9 (one trey) and 6-for-7 for 19 points and had four assists in a route-going performance, and received guidance/encouragement from his injured mentor Cantrell "Man-Man" Fletcher (torn ACL in his right knee). Brandon Brigman, playing with a re-broken left (non-shooting) hand, went 1-for-11 from the floor, but toughed out five rebounds and notched seven blocks. Robert "Beattie" Taylor, Cunningham's second cousin, had 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. For Roman, Tamal Forchion had 16 points, 11 boards and three steals while Brent Welton mixed 16 points, seven rebounds. Jim Kelly hit two incredible treys in the final moments. On Roman's final possession, sub Scott Paxson made an on-target three-quarter-court pass that was caught by Forchion. Kelly was right nearby, set up for a trey, but in the tangle of bodies, Forchion kept possession while his momentum carried him forward and his good basket was correctly ruled a two.

2002
At La Salle University
Neumann 66, Ryan 53
   Chris Del Brocco, the team's only returning starter, sniped 6-for-10 on treys en route to 20 points as the Pirates defended their title. Adon El, sub Todd Johnson (both 11) and Richard "Tabby" Cunningham (10) also scored in double figures and Antwain Wynn posted four assists. Andy MacDonald (15) and Brendan O'Malley (12) led Ryan, which was making only its second title-game appearance (also 1979) in 35 CL seasons. Chris Kozole had four steals in the first 10 1/2 minutes and the score was 13-13. He then picked up his second foul and Neumann led at the half, 20-13. Del Brocco opened the third quarter with two treys.

2003
At La Salle University
SJ Prep 77, Dougherty 70
   Mark Zoller completed an outstanding playoff series before a turnaway crowd of 4,000-plus, pouring in 31 points and leading the Hawks to their first title since 1971. It was the seventh CL title total for coach William "Speedy" Morris, who earned six at Roman from 1969 to '80. Zoller shot 11-for-16 and 9-for-10, finalizing his postseason numbers at 31-for-45 (one trey) and 22-for-28 for 85 points. Zoller also snagged 14 rebounds. Chris Clark (15), T.J. Valerio (14) and Kyle Eisenmann (13) also scored well while combining for eight three-pointers. Kyle Lowry (29) and Isaac Greer (19) led Dougherty, which trailed by 12 points with 3:19 left and stormed within five before The Prep regrouped.

2004
At La Salle University
SJ Prep 84, Dougherty 61
   Again the arena was packed beyond belief, again many were turned away, and again The Prep knocked off a team considered to have more talent. The Hawks' guards, wing John Griffin (27) and point Chris Clark (25), combined to shoot 15-for-21 (floor), 5-for-7 (treys) and 17-for-18 (line) while pacing overall performances, same order, of 27-for-44, 7-for-12 and 23-for-29. The Prep, which made 17 of its first 24 shots, closed out the first half with a 9-0 run to take a 30-22 lead. It began the second half with a 14-7 run, then dominated from there. Reggie Redding (16) and Mike Kearney (10) also scored in double figures. Clark (five) and Griffin, a Bucknell signee, combined for nine assists. Coach William "Speedy" Morris lifted his CL title total to eight. Tim Smith (16), DeSean White and Shane Clark (14 apiece) led Dougherty. White (Providence), Clark and Kyle Lowry (both Villanova) were committed to D-I programs.

2005
At La Salle University
Neumann-Goretti 57, SJ Prep 44
   Before another turnaway crowd of 4,000-plus, the Saints put four scorers in double figures and maintained safe control through the second half after intermission ended at 32-24. Earl Pettis, brother of Robert "Beattie" Taylor, star guard for the 2000 champs, had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Two of his feeds produced baskets to begin the second half, as N-G expanded its pad to 36-24. Antonio "Scoop" Jardine (15), David Burton (12, all in first half) and Derrick "D.J." Rivera (10) also reached double figures. As the third quarter wound down, sub Conor Kennedy provided a 10-point lead with a trey and followed by drawing a charging call, helping Rivera close out the session with a trey for a 46-33 score. Reggie Redding (23) scored 15 of The Prep's first 19 points and claimed five of its first seven rebounds. Guard-forward Corey O'Rourke went most of the way for the Hawks even though he'd suffered a broken left (non-shooting) wrist in the semifinal win over Dougherty. This was the first year for N-G, a combination of Neumann (boys) and Goretti (girls) in the latter's building.

2006
At La Salle University
Neumann-Goretti 44, Roman 41
  
An exciting finish wound up leading to what was likely the darkest day in CL history. Derrick "D.J." Rivera drained a left-wing trey with 1.4 seconds left, and then dashed immediately down and across the court to a spot in front of Roman's student rooters, who'd been heckling him hard all game. Players and fans followed, the Roman kids threw debris, including plastic bottles, and a Roman student received a cut nose when something was fired back. There were also on-court scuffles involving adult N-G fans and police and a city-wide assist call resulted in 100-plus police officers rushing to Tom Gola Arena. Two juveniles were among six people arrested and the incident drew national attention. Though intense and close, the game was not especially clean. The teams combined to shoot 31-for-108 (28.7 percent) from the floor and 21-for-41 at the line (51.2) and were guilty of 30 turnovers. Rick Jackson had 12 points, six boards and seven blocks and helped hold Mike Ringgold, the South MVP, to two points. Roman's Rockeed McCarter totaled eight points and 15 boards while Raymond "Doodles" Sims mixed nine points, two assists and three steals. A week-long investigation of the incident by principals, ADs and the archdiocese resulted in a suspension for N-G coach Carl Arrigale for the first four games of the 2006-07 CL regular season. Among other sanctions: no spectators for the N-G/Roman games.

2007
At the Palestra
Roman 59, Neumann-Goretti 56
   Just when it appeared the Cahillites were dead meat, with just under six minutes left, they overcame a 10-point deficit by roaring to 11 consecutive points in 1 minute, 40 seconds, and wound up scoring 17 of the game's final 21 points. The win gave 21-year coach Dennis Seddon his 10th title, eclipsing the CL record of nine by Roman's Billy Markward in the 1920s and '30s and preventing N-G's Carl Arrigale from capturing his fifth in seven years. Roman went ahead for good, at 56-54, with 2:22 left as members of the team's two sets of twins did the honors: Will Kirkland (also Wes) scored on a pass from Pitt signee Bradley Wanamaker (also Brian). Will Kirkland was the defender in '06 when Derrick "D.J." Rivera hit his game-winner; he said he wasn't himself for a whole month afterward. Bradley Wanamaker had 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Wayns (13), Will Kirkland (12) and Brian Wanamaker (10) also scored in double figures. N-G's leaders were Syracuse signees/best buddies Rick Jackson (20 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks) and Antonio "Scoop" Jardine (11 assists). Jackson's three-game playoff averages were 22.7, 14 and six. Will Kirkland sank the first of two free throws at 6.4 for a 62-59 lead. Teammate Courtney Stanley grabbed the rebound of the missed second shot, then clanked two FTs of his own. N-G's Jamal Wilson rebounded and passed ahead to sixth man Mark Hatty, who hit the rim with a 24-foot, right-wing trey at the buzzer. As the Cahillites began to celebrate, roughly a half-dozen, liquid-filled plastic bottles were fired onto the court from high above N-G's bench. Roman's contingent sought refuge in the locker room, then later returned to accept the plaque and cut down the net.

2008
At the Palestra
  N. Catholic 51, Ryan 45: Though limping due to continuing lower-back pain, which had necessitated a mid-afternoon visit to a chiropractor, Velton Jones totaled 11 points, seven assists and two steals while becoming the first player in city history to start for championship squads in each main league; also for Gratz in 2006. He was at his best in the second half, collecting eight points and five assists. Early in the third quarter, he was horse-collared on a drive and an intentional foul was called. He made one of two free throws and then nailed a right-corner trey on the tacked-on possession, drawing the Falcons within 24-22. He later dealt assists for baskets (regular by Jaleel Mack, trey by Woody Redding) that put North ahead for good at 33-28. With leading scorer Lenny Young limited to two points, mostly by Eric Jann, Redding, a soph, stepped up in admirable fashion by draining four threes en route to 21 points. Frosh Xavier Harris added seven points, 11 rebounds. Redding (most of the duty), Mack and Jones (late game) combined to hold Ryan star Andrew Rogers (brother of the coach, Bernie), to 13 points. Chris Wilk had 11 points and seven boards while sub Rus Slawter shot 4-for-6 for nine points and added five steals. The title was North's first since 1987 and this was the first all-Northern Division final since '70 (Dougherty over North.)