Johnsonburg is well aware of the challenges it faces when the Rams battle Lincoln Park today in the PIAA Class A semifinals at Clarion University’s Tippin Gym (7 p.m.).
Rival Ridgway has fell to the Leopards twice in the past two years — in this round a season ago and 51-34 in the PIAA second round this season.
Having seen them in person will be an advantage, but Lincoln Park, a charter school from Midland, will take the floor with a wealth of talent.
It’s hard to say where to start, but let’s do it in the middle. 6-8 center Elijah Minnie exploded in LP’s thrilling 86-84 win over Bishop Carroll in the quarters, going for 42 points and 12 rebounds.
Minnie was held to just four points against Ridgway, but nevertheless possesses superior size that has the likes of Pitt, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and Temple interested.
He has drawn more criticism than most, playing for his third school in three different season and being ruled ineligible three times by the WPIAL before the PIAA overturned that decision in January.
Nevertheless, Minnie is an explosive player which Johnsonburg will have to contain in order to win.
“I think before the playoffs are done, it’s going to be a madhouse,” Lincoln Park athletic director Mike Bariski told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Kevin Gorman. “Everybody is going to want him. The head coach from Virginia Tech said, ‘He’s the best-kept secret around, and I hope he stays that way.’”
Minnie is one of four Division I caliber starters for Lincoln Park.
6-6 junior swingman Ryan Skovranko is also a forced to be reckoned with. Skovranko, who has scholarship offers from Virginia Tech and West Virginia and has drawn interest from Kentucky, Miami and UCLA among others, is just LP’s fourth-leading scorer, however.
The honor of leading scorer on the team falls to 6-5 freshman Maverick Rowan, the son of former St. John’s standout Ron Rowan, who is averaging 23.5 points per game.
Minnie checks in at 20.1 and point guard Antonio Kellem 11.4.
Ridgway stayed with Lincoln Park for three quarters and Johnsonburg certainly has the players capable of playing with the Leopards for a full 32 minutes.
Junior guards Cameron Grumley and Cole Peterson are the catalysts for J’burg’s offense.
Without Grumley for much of the 54-49 second round win over Shade, Peterson erupted for a career-high 26 points.
Battling a hip flexor, Grumley looked just fine in the Rams’ 54-43 win over Smethport, coming off the bench to score 13 points.
Peterson countered with 14 and Frank Kocjancic played a stellar game with 12 points.
This team’s quickness and athleticism, with the core group of Peterson, Grumley, Kocjancic, Quinn Luhr, Mitchell Holmberg and Kyle Sheldon allows them to matchup better than most teams who face height disadvantages when playing Lincoln Park.
It’s interesting, because I think a slower tempo favors Johnsonburg, but I think they have the speed and quickness to handle Lincoln Park’s pressure defense.
Having said that, the Leopards are a formidable opponent, and the Rams will have to be on top of their game to reach the state finals for the first time in program history.
Johnsonburg (29-2) vs. Lincoln Park (22-6)
Tippin Gym, Clarion University (7 p.m.)
JOHNSONBURG
How they got here: Beat Eisenhower 62-30, Beat Shade 54-49, Beat Smethport 54-43
Leading scorers: Jr. G Cameron Grumley (15.2), Jr. G Cole Peterson (15.5), Sr. F Quinn Luhr (8.4), Sr. G Mitch Holmberg (7.6)
LINCOLN PARK
How they got here: Beat Kennedy Catholic 54-45, Beat Ridgway 51-34, Beat Bishop Carroll 86-84
Winner Gets: Math Civics and Science/Vaux winner in state championship game at Hershey’s Giant Center, 2 p.m. Friday
