North Catholic’s Joe Waskiewicz, left, and Jude Rottmann (14) celebrate as the buzzer sounds as North Catholic defeats Cathedral Prep 78-75 in a PIAA Class 4A boys basketball quarterfinal Friday, March 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s boys basketball team has only ever reached the PIAA final once, that trip coming in 2009.

The Trojans (22-6) have won 13 of their last 14, a roll they’ll hope to continue in the Class 4A semifinals against Berks Catholic (23-4) on Friday night.

PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Semifinal

Game time: 6:30 p.m. Friday, James Buchanan High School

Berks Catholic’s top players: Kingston McKoy (jr. G); Zach Suski (sr. F/G)

North Catholic’s top players: Jason Fredericks (jr. G. 19 ppg.); Jude Rottmann (jr. G, 16 ppg.); Owen Maddalon (sr. G, 10 ppg.)

Key to the game: Trojans coach Jim Rocco believes Fredericks and Rottmann are two of the best at their position in the state, and they’ve only improved their numbers during the postseason. They’ll light the way for North Catholic.