KEITH GROLLER'S BASKETBALL UPDATE FROM PARKLAND

From Keith Groller

Filing this at 6 p.m. Sunday from Parkland--

Northampton rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Central Catholic 50-47 earlier today in the first game of the Lehigh Valley Hoop Group Showcase at Parkland.

It snapped a three-game skid for the Konkrete Kids (12-6, 5-5) and was Central's third straight loss and dropped the Vikes to 8-10, 3-7. The Vikings, who have Parkland, Allen, Dieruff and Emmaus left on the schedule, must win three of their last four to qualify for districts.

In the game of the day, star-studded St. Benedict's beat Plymouth-Whitemarsh 52-50 in a game that lived up to its billing. It was P-W's first loss of the season after 17 wins, but make no mistake, the Colonials will be a force come state playoff time and will probably be in State College on the night of March 27 competing for the state 4A title. 6-10 center, C.J. Aiken, who is headed to St. Joseph's, really put on a show.

Aiken had 14 points, including four dunks and five blocked shots.

Haven't heard an official crowd figure, but for the St. Benedict's-PW game, the gym was packed. Not to capacity, but at least 2,000 to 2,500 were in the place.

Many of those have left, even though the Parkland-Chester game is yet to come. Game time 6:05 p.m. One disappointment is that the always very entertainting Chester cheerleaders are not here.

Keith Groller