Carson Howard playing a big role in Archbishop Wood basketball success

Carson Howard does a great deal for Archbishop Wood.

Howard, the Vikings' 6-foot-8 senior big man, hits the boards, scores inside, provides an interior defensive presence and has become a vocal leader for John Mosco's boys basketball team.

But perhaps Howard's most important contribution is his reliability.

"He just brings stability and confidence in a quiet manner," Mosco said. "He's a real steadying influence."

That's not a coincidence.

"There's going to be runs for us and the other team," Howard said. "A lot of times the team that stays even and doesn't get too high or too low is going to win the game."

Howard contributed a game-high 15 points in Wood's 53-37 PIAA Class 6A first-round state playoff win over Central Bucks East, then added 21 in Saturday's 78-64 quarterfinal victory against Coatesville. He leads the 19-8 Vikings in rebounds (8 per game), is second in scoring (11.5 points) and shoots 68 percent from the field.

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"He's really consistent," Mosco said. "He's a better finisher (than before and also improved his) scoring and shot-blocking."

Howard has been especially effective at taking advantage of mismatches when opponents provide extra defensive attention to high-scoring junior guard Jalil Bethea, the Philadelphia Catholic League MVP. He's got good hands, too.

"Jalil is an extraordinary passer," Howard said. "I don't think he gets enough credit for that because he's so proficient at scoring the ball. He came into his own as a playmaker. All of the other guards find me, too."

"Jalil has a lot confidence in him," Mosco said. "That comes with him and Jalil playing together the past few years."

Howard has committed to Division II East Stroudsburg, where Mosco believes he'll be able to knock down additional perimeter jumpers to make himself even more valuable.

"I've been working on my shot, getting my range out to the 3-point line," said Howard, who plans to major in computer science.

Howard and Wood face defending state champion Roman Catholic in Tuesday night's state semifinals at Bensalem (7:30). Roman defeated the Vikings 78-65 in the 2022 PIAA state title game and prevailed 66-59 in this year's Catholic League semifinals at the Palestra after winning 77-56 in the regular season.

Tuesday's victor and the winner of the Spring-Ford/Reading High semifinal will meet for the title Saturday evening (8) at Hershey's Giant Center.

"It's our time to get them back," Howard said. "They beat us (the last) three times. We definitely can get them back. We all really want it bad. We don't want this to be the last game this season."

Roman (26-3) features senior guard Xzayvier Brown, who had 22 points vs. Wood in the PCL semifinals and 25 in the regular-season meeting. Senior forward Anthony Finkley, who, like Brown, committed to St. Joseph's, and sophomore center Shareef Jackson are also formidable. While starters Jermai Stewart-Herring and Erik Oliver-Bush are ineligible for the state playoffs because of the PIAA transfer rules, the Cahillites have quality depth, including junior guard Robert Cottrell.

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"Xzayvier Brown is great," Mosco said. "He killed us in the two games (this season). It'll be a tough challenge. We'll be up for it (and) I know they will, too."

"We know each other pretty well," Howard said. "We know their personnel. They got great players (and) we got great players. We just got to go out and play our best game on that day."

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Carson Howard plays big role in Archbishop Wood basketball success