No matter the sport, the traditional rivalry between Cathedral and Bishop Chatard always draws a large crowd. The two teams were pitted against each other in the men’s varsity basketball City tournament semifinals on Jan. 25 at Arsenal Tech. Fans stood outside in 30- degree weather for roughly 45 minutes trying to buy tickets into the game.

The two earned their spot with Cathedral’s convincing 96-33 win over George Washington and Chatard defeating Tindley 83-64 during the quarterfinals.

The Irish were set to take on the Trojans for the first time since the 2016-17 season, when the Irish won 103-55. Yet the rivalry was restored in what was a tight battle throughout the whole game.

Chatard took an 8-4 early lead before Head Coach Mr. Jason Delaney called a timeout to restore his team’s poise. During the first half, seven different players in an Irish uniform combined to find the basket. Led by sophomore Pete Moe’s 14 points, the Irish held the Trojans 33-24 at the half.

Two starters and major contributors to the team success, however, had yet to put up a point. It was their late performances that were able to send the Irish to their fourth straight City title game. Sophomore Tayshaun Comer and senior Grant Taueg combined for 23 in the second half.

Comer leads the Irish in points per game and Taeug ranks third. Taueg’s 13 points all came in the fourth quarter kicking off with a pair of back-to-back threes. He hit his third with five minutes remaining.

Senior Ryan Trusler finished with six and was named MaxPreps player of the game.

The City championship is set for Jan. 27 at 7:30 against the Crispus Attucks Tigers, who beat Covenant Christian 96-69 to punch their ticket to the championship. It is a rematch of last year’s title game where the Irish dismantled the Tigers 78-48. Comer, then a freshman, contributed 12 as well as junior Camden Jordan getting minutes.

Jordan had ankle surgery this past fall after a season-ending football injury against Brebeuf Jesuit.The City championship will be his third game back.