Rocco Westfield was on fire in the Catholic League semifinals.
He was burning up for the rest of the week.
Westfield is a junior guard on the Father Judge High School basketball team, and after his long-range shooting helped the Crusaders dispose of St. Joe’s Prep, he went home and didn’t get out of bed for a few days.
“I was sick, it was a bad stomach virus for a couple of days,” Westfield said. “I was throwing up, it carried over to the championship. I was pretty sick.
“Credit the trainer and everyone else, my family, who helped get me what I needed. I went to practice once, the day before (the championship), but the rest of the time when they were getting ready, I was home sick.”
On Sunday, he got out of bed and went to the Palestra where he made a little history with his teammates.
Judge defeated Roman Catholic 41-34 in the Catholic League championship game. It marked the first time since 1998 that Judge won a basketball championship.
Westfield can light up the scoresheet in a hurry, but against Roman, he was called on to play defense. He fought through picks, causing chaos just about every trip down the floor.
Judge fell behind 10-0 and was behind 10-2 after the first quarter, but the Crusaders didn’t stop fighting. They took the lead in the third quarter and after riding the seesaw the rest of the game, took over the lead for good with two minutes left in the game.
The team made its foul shots the rest of the way and celebrated from West Philly to Solly Avenue.
Senior leader Kevair Kennedy had 10 points, sharp-shooting guard Derrick Morton-Rivera added nine and junior Max Moshinski added eight points off the bench.
“It meant a lot to everyone,” said Westfield, who did most of his damage on the defensive end, but stepped up to drain a big three in the fourth quarter. “Because we haven’t won a PCL title in 27 years. Especially winning with this group of guys. We’ve been so tight the whole season, it felt amazing.”
Even before they cut down the nets, the Crusaders had won the hearts of the neighborhood.
The personalities of the players were just as important in this run as their basketball skills. It’s no surprise to Westfield that this team has taken over the community based on their abilities and attitudes.
That was just as important when they were down 10 early as it was when they were slicing the twine.
“We stuck together like we did all season, nobody held heads down, stayed confident throughout the whole game,” Westfield said. “I would say (we knew we were going to win) toward the end of the game when Kevair knocks down four free throws.
“We’ve been close for a while now, everyone hangs out, talks to each other, we all love each other. I feel like it was clicking right away. Last season to this season. Our relationship grew because we’re around each other every day. Spend time with each other every day.”
It was nice for Westfield to see the brothers on his team enjoy a great weekend.
A day before his dream came true, he watched his real brother’s dream come true.
His older brother Frankie made his debut for the Philadelphia Union and notched an assist in the win.
While his brother was making history, Westfield was resting up, trying to feel better and watching from home.
“We’re definitely a soccer family,” Westfield said. “It definitely is a soccer family. I played when I was younger, I stopped in fourth grade to start playing football. I was mainly a football player my whole life. And then you can say in eighth grade, I fell in love with basketball. I loved it more than any other sport. I did it freshman year, sophomore year, after that basketball from here on.
“We were all very happy for him. He’s worked so hard. I wasn’t feeling great, but I had fun watching him. Everyone’s voice was gone. A great weekend for my family, my brother making his professional debut and a win. A great weekend.”
Westfield came into Judge a football star, where he played defensive back, but gave up the sport to focus on basketball.
Looks like a smart idea now.
“I loved football and it was hard to give it up, but it was the right call,” Westfield said. “It was tough, but to win a Catholic League championship, that means everything. That’s why we do what we do. It’s why we worked hard all summer. I’m really proud.”
Judge still has work to do.
The Crusaders play Imhotep Charter Friday in the city championship, setting up the seeding for the state playoffs.
A state championship is still up for grabs and the Catholic League always has something to say about who will be the best in Pennsylvania.
The ultimate goal is accomplished. And while the PCL title means everything, it means a little more because of whom he won it with.
“Our togetherness,” Westfield said when he was asked what would surprise people about this squad. “How close we are. I don’t think people see that. How close we are on and off, how much time we spend together. I don’t think a lot of people know that. We went to Top Golf as a team, we spend quality time doing fun things. We are always together, even away from basketball. We love being together.”
