Boys Basketball: Local favorites Ridley, Chester belong on Temple’s big stage

Every February, the District One seeding committee receives its fair share of criticism for the placement of teams in its most prestigious event. Occasionally lost in those narratives is the meritocracy of the Class AAAA Tournament, how it weeds out teams by degrees, 32 minutes at a time. As Tuesday night’s semifinals at Temple University winnow the field of four to one pair of combatants for Friday’s final, it’s hard to argue with what has transpired in the bracket’s top half. Since Jan. 1, No. 4 seed Ridley and No. 9 Chester have two combined losses. They’ve played 35 games. Making the case that those two shouldn’t be tipping off at Temple at 7:30 would be a fool’s errand.

On the one hand, you’ve got Ridley, which just flat out wins games, 25 of the 26 they’ve contested in a historic season. The Central League champs may have been fortunate to shrug off a sluggish start and withstand No. 29 North Penn’s upset bid in a 51-49 first-round survival. But since, a 14-point banishment of Perkiomen Valley and four-point downing of Spring-Ford, both anchored by late-game resolve, proves the Green Raiders’ credentials.

Though the role of presumptive favorites rests with No. 2 seed Plymouth Whitemarsh — which meets No. 11 Lower Merion in the first semi at 6 — Chester is the only team with three double-digit postseason victories. The Clippers nearly doubled-up No. 24 Council Rock North, winning by 26 points, then trounced No. 25 Hatboro-Horsham by 22 and No. 17 Central Bucks East by 16. The seeds indicate that No. 4 Ridley should present the sternest test yet, but the same is true in the opposite direction.

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Ridley’s Julian Wing, left, will offer Chester’s fine defensive players a challenge under the basket and in the paint when the teams meeting Tuesday night in the District One Class AAAA semifinals at Temple University. (Digital First Media/Anne Neborak)