Central Catholic League’s Panther Pack
In this article:
With the season getting heated in the CCL conference, I was able to catch one of the most highlighted teams in the league’s previous three games against Arlington Catholic, Cambridge Ringe & Latin and St. Mary’s Lynn. Located in the…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the season getting heated in the CCL conference, I was able to catch one of the most highlighted teams in the league’s previous three games against Arlington Catholic, Cambridge Ringe & Latin and St. Mary’s Lynn. Located in the city of Boston is Cathedral High School, home of the Panthers, who currently hold four state titles for Division IV from 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Here are the players that have had the strongest impact starting the season for the Panthers
Tayla Barros Tayla Barros 5'10" | CG Cathedral | 2023 State NewE || 5’10 || G || 2023
Barros always does her best to give everyone a piece of the pie. She has a great sense of awareness that can constantly find her teammates on the court and always makes that extra pass to ensure those extra points for her team. Her speed and quickness also results in the many steals she can rack up and her reliable transition offense. She’s strong and fast with finishing in the lane and can shoot contested shots coming off the dribble. Some big numbers she’s had recently were 10 points & 11 assists in a big win against Cambridge Ringe & Latin and 27 points, 7 assists & 7 steals leading the Panthers to win against Newton North.
Yedidya Lubunga
Yedidya
Lubunga
5'10" | SF
Cathedral | 2023
State
NewE
|| 5’10 || G/SF || 2023
Lubunga is an all around consistent scoring leader who uses her size to her fullest ability. Starting with posting her opponents up and not being afraid of the amount of clash it takes to score in the paint, to fighting for offensive boards despite the matchup, and always hustling to get the putback lay. On top of that, she’s able to hit shots from the elbow or the 3-point line, and just an overall great team leader who communicates well and brings forth a lot of energy into her game. Putting up some big numbers this season, she’s led Cathedral in points for two dominating wins, one with 21 points and another with 20.
Sara Thompson Sara Thompson 5'5" | CG Cathedral | 2023 State NewE || 5’5 || G || 2023
5’5 combo guard, Sara Thompson Sara Thompson 5'5" | CG Cathedral | 2023 State NewE stirs up a lot of trouble for her defenders when getting the ball for a shot. Her strongest and most deadly weapon is knocking down 3s from any spot coming off the dribble, as well as her catch-and-shooting ability that she is very efficient with and never hesitant to shoot. Her body control and athletic ability allows her to have authority to keep the ball pushing and makes her a tougher and quicker defender on the court. She has great knowledge running the floor well and is a solid rebounder for the team. Sara demonstrates skill, mobility and sportsmanship that keeps the team working together.
Hijjah Allen-Paisley Hijjah Allen-Paisley 5'5" | PG Cathedral | 2025 State NewE || 5’4 || PG || 2025
Allen-Paisley is an incredible playmaker for the Panthers. She has been the most consistent in her playmaking, showing how much of a high IQ player she is. Hiijah’s tremendous stamina allows her to play at a consistent high-speed level throughout the game. She is incredibly smooth with the ball on fast breaks and can quickly blow past and score between defenders in the paint, almost making it look easy! Her strong shooting stroke and quick release with no time wasted also added to her vital part in being a big time scorer.
Keyona Raines Keyona Raines 5'3" | PG Cathedral | 2026 State NewE || 5’3 || PG || 2026
Regardless of only being an 8th grader playing at the high school level, Raines has already shown a lot of potential and heart for being a future top prospect. Her combination of footwork, change of speed and ball control, allows her to successfully attack the basket. Not only that, but she’s able to shoot off the dribble and has a stunning lay-up package. Most impressively, her quickness and ability to read the opposing offense evolved in her tallying a high number of steals.