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  • Villanova wins fifth straight in conference play following a convincing road rout of Creighton

    Villanova wins fifth straight in conference play following a convincing road rout of Creighton

    A double-double performance from Duke Brennan and Villanova now has 20 wins this season.

    The senior forward finished with a team-high 21 points and added 12 rebounds to lead the Wildcats in an 80-69 road defeat of Creighton in Omaha, Neb., on Saturday.

    Brennan collected his 11th double-double of the season, and is now second all-time in program history behind Michael Bradley’s 14 during the 2000-01 season. Villanova (20-5, 11-3 Big East) never trailed, avenging a January loss to the Bluejays (13-12, 7-7).

    “Duke’s been great,” said Villanova head coach Kevin Willard. “You can’t talk enough about Duke. I mean, [he’s] just taking his time, having some big finishes and again the guards [are] finding him.”

    It also marks a five-game win streak for Villanova, which earned its first 20 wins in the first 25 games for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

    Tyler Perkins scored 17 points, marking his ninth consecutive game with double-digits. Perkins also hauled in 11 rebounds in what was his second double-double of the season.

    Perkins is now averaging 17.9 points per game over his last nine games. He is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per contest this season, averaging 44% from the field and 37% on three-pointers.

    Big 5 roundup: Why Kevin Willard doesn’t mind a Villanova shot clock violation, predicting award winners, and more

    “I think [Perkins] had six points off offensive rebounds, big tip backs,” Willard said. “There was one late in the second half that was monstrous as [Creighton was] making a run. They cut [it] to seven, pushed it back up to nine, which was unbelievable. I think he’s starting to really settle into who he is as a player and he keeps getting better.”

    First-half defense smothers Creighton

    Villanova was able to hold Creighton’s offense to 10 points through the first 13 minutes of the game. The Bluejays’ starting lineup had just five points, and Austin Swartz had five points off the bench.

    Villanova took a 25-10 lead over Creighton with seven minutes left in the first half. Creighton was 4-for-18 from the field at that point.

    Villanova also scored 12 points on eight first-half turnovers by the Bluejays.

    I think we started off really good and were just really solid,” Willard said. “I think at our place we got caught up on switches a couple times and they took advantage of it. I thought we were really solid and just guarded our man really well.”

    Creighton finished the first half with 27 points, and its starting lineup had just 13 combined points as the Bluejays shot 34.4% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc.

    Plenty of points in the paint

    Villanova’s offense dominated under the basket. It scored 48 of its 80 points inside the paint, 30 of them coming in the first half.

    The Wildcats shot 3-for-11 on three-pointers in the first half and finished the game 6-for-21. Villanova entered the game averaging 27.4 three-point attempts per game. Additionally, the Wildcats attempted 44 two-point field goals, entered the game averaging 31.6 per contest, which ranked 308th in the nation.

    Strong day from the bench

    Villanova had 25 points from its bench, with 13 coming from Devin Askew and 10 from Malachi Palmer, who shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

    Askew has averaged 9.8 points off the bench this season, but has had five double-digit performances through conference play.

    Palmer has recently begun to get more time on the court. He has scored double digits on the bench in three of his last four games, including a career-high 15 points against Seton Hall on Feb. 4.

    Up next

    Villanova stays on the road, traveling to Xavier (13-12, 5-9) on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., FS1). It will be the first time the two teams meet this season. Villanova leads the all-time series, 35-9.

    Follow the Inquirer’s complete coverage of Villanova athletics right here!
  • Temple’s comeback falls short vs. East Carolina for third straight loss

    Temple’s comeback falls short vs. East Carolina for third straight loss

    Temple overcame an 11-point first-half deficit in the first half against East Carolina. Then, the Owls faced another in the fourth quarter.

    Temple attempted a comeback at the Liacouras Center on Saturday, but every time it scored, the Pirates had a response. Temple cut its deficit to four in the final minutes, but East Carolina held the Owls off and handed them a 79-73 loss. It’s their third-straight loss, putting them in danger of missing the American Conference tournament.

    Temple (10-14, 4-8 American) is in ninth place in the conference standings and has six games remaining in the regular season. The top 10 teams qualify for the tournament.

    “It was a tough game,” coach Diane Richardson said. “We are trying to learn how to put four quarters, and [we’ve] got some things to work on. I look at the stat sheet, and we sat back for a bit, then we turned it on. So we’ve got to just be consistent.”

    Statistical leaders

    The Owls focused on attacking the paint early, and Saniyah Craig led the effort.

    The junior forward scored a game-high 20 points and added six rebounds. Sophomore guard Savannah Curry finished with a season-high 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting and a team-best eight rebounds. Temple struggled with turnovers and gave the ball away 24 times. Every Owl who played had at least one turnover.

    Kaylah Turner went from Temple’s top reserve to leading scorer in the American — and she isn’t satisfied

    “I was really just playing my game,” Craig said. “Playing slower because usually when I speed up, I throw the ball over the rim, so I was just playing slower and playing my game.”

    The Pirates (19-7, 11-2) were led by guard Kennedy Fauntleroy and forward Anzhané Hutton, who scored 19 points apiece.

    East Carolina’s Bobbi Smith (14) looks for a shot as Temple’s Saniyah Craig defends on Saturday at the Liacouras Center.

    Too much for a comeback

    Temple shot 69.2% from the field in the first quarter and 50% through 20 minutes, but couldn’t get out of its own way. Temple committed 17 turnovers in the first half, which East Carolina turned into 13 points. The Pirates built an 11-point led midway through the second quarter before Temple found its footing.

    The Owls ended the quarter on an 11-0 run, thanks to strong defense and free-throw shooting. A free throw by Tristen Taylor (10 points, seven assists) sent the game to halftime tied at 36, but Temple failed to carry that momentum into the second half as its offense went cold.

    The teams traded baskets for much of the third frame before the Pirates pushed their lead to 11 in the final minute. Temple spent the fourth quarter searching for a comeback and got within four points multiple times but could not come up with a clutch basket or defensive stop to get over the hump.

    “I need our bench to be more aggressive and give us more,” Richardson said. “Oftentimes, I try to give our starters a little rest, but our bench has really got to step up and fill those gaps so there is not much of a drop off. And that’s on me.”

    Costly turnover

    Temple guard Kaylah Turner (14 points) knocked down two free throws to cut East Carolina’s lead to 75-71 with 32 seconds remaining, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass to give Temple another chance to get within one possession.

    However, Turner moved a little too quickly and lost control of the ball. Pirates guard Jayla Hearp grabbed it, and the Owls were forced to foul. Temple did not get another opportunity as East Carolina made its free throws to secure the win.

    Up next

    The Owls will visit Charlotte (12-13, 6-6) on Tuesday(6:30 p.m., ESPN+).

  • Jesús Luzardo wants to be ‘as elite as possible’ in his ‘sink or swim’ year with the Phillies

    Jesús Luzardo wants to be ‘as elite as possible’ in his ‘sink or swim’ year with the Phillies

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — There’s a belt hanging in Jesús Luzardo’s locker at BayCare Ballpark embroidered with the words “SINK OR SWIM.”

    It’s a motto of the Phillies 28-year-old left-hander, one that is also written on his glove. He adopted it after the 2023 season during his time with the Miami Marlins, and really leaned into it the following year after he suffered a season-ending back injury.

    For him, it embodies how it feels to be a pitcher, alone on the mound.

    “There’s really only one option. It’s either you make it, or you don’t,” Luzardo said. “It’s something I like to live by.”

    The motto remains a guiding light as Luzardo enters a pivotal season, his last one before reaching free agency.

    The Phillies’ rotation, an organizational strength for the past several years, has some question marks in 2026. The Phillies are optimistic about Zack Wheeler’s progress from thoracic surgery, but he is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. Andrew Painter, a longtime friend of Luzardo’s, has the chance to earn a spot, but he has yet to throw a pitch in a major league game.

    After the free agency departure of fellow lefty Ranger Suárez, Luzardo joins Cristopher Sánchez as two anchors in the Phillies’ rotation to start the season.

    Coming off a career-high 183 ⅔ innings in 2025, Luzardo didn’t change much about his winter training. He prioritized rest and some lower-intensity workouts early in the offseason, but things were mostly business as usual.

    Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo says he’s out to perfect his changeup, one of five pitches he employs on the mound.

    “I feel now, just as good, or better than I did last year,” Luzardo said.

    But he did come to camp with a potential new trick up his sleeve. Last season, in his first spring with the Phillies, Luzardo began toying with a sweeper. It ultimately became one of his best weapons, and he threw it 31% of the time. The pitch had a 43.7% whiff rate, and opponents hit just .178 against it.

    This year, instead of adding another pitch to his mix of five, he is focusing on refining his changeup.

    J.T. Realmuto ‘never felt like a Plan B’ for Phillies while continuing fight to boost pay scale for catchers

    “Just kind of trying to fine-tune it, and see if I can maybe get a little more swing-and-miss, or just kind of give guys a different look,” Luzardo said. “… Not that my changeup last year was bad, but it was maybe not elite, and I want to be as elite as possible.”

    The process started about two months ago as a collaborative effort with pitching coach Caleb Cotham and the coaches Luzardo works with at home in South Florida. Luzardo’s changeup was his third-most used pitch in 2025, behind his four-seam and sweeper. He primarily threw it to right-handed batters, and hitters had a .224 batting average against it.

    “He’s always trying to find that edge and the stretch to ‘What’s next? What can I do to get a little better?’” Cotham said. “And I think it’s important. That’s why guys like him stay in pace with the league, because the league’s always getting better. Hitters are always getting better.”

    Phillies pitching coach, Caleb Cotham says Luzardo keeps pace with an ever-changing league because he’s “always trying to find ways to get better.”

    Luzardo said he “didn’t want to give much away” about the new-look pitch, but it does involve a change in grip. The idea is to make the changeup more consistent in how it flies.

    Cotham visited Luzardo once during the offseason, but they mostly communicated via texts and videos. Watching Luzardo in a bullpen session earlier this week, Cotham was impressed with the results.

    Follow the Inquirer’s complete coverage of Phillies baseball right here!

    “It’s as good as I’ve seen it,” Cotham said. “Hitters will be the true test.”

    Luzardo’s commitment to finding ways to reinvent himself as a pitcher reminds Cotham of Wheeler, who added a splitter in 2024 and a sweeper the year before.

    “You have to evolve. You have to keep seeing what you’re capable of,” Cotham said. “That’s the coolest part of being part of his journey, and being his coach, [is] being part of that collaborative process.”

    Rob Thomson has positive things to say about Rule 5 prospect Zach McCambley seen throwing here during spring training pitching workouts on Saturday.

    Extra bases

    Right-hander Zach McCambley, a Phillies Rule 5 pick in the December draft, threw a live batting practice session Saturday. “I like him,” Thomson said of the 26-year-old from the Marlins organization who has been a reliever the past three seasons after being drafted in the third round in 2020. “He can really spin his slider, what you call the sweeper. Really good pitch. There’s some depth there. He’s got a good fastball. It’s going to be mid-90s [mph]. Commands the baseball. It’s a good pickup.” … Catcher René Pinto has reported to camp after being delayed by visa issues in Venezuela.

  • Southwest Philly-raised Raina J. León is the city’s new poet laureate

    Southwest Philly-raised Raina J. León is the city’s new poet laureate

    Norma Thomas had been keeping a secret since mid-January. At Saturday’s Passing the Pen ceremony, she was ready to shout it from the Central Library rooftop:

    “My daughter, Raina León, is the poet laureate of Philadelphia,” Thomas said, chest puffed out and brimming with pride. “She is effervescent, outgoing, and loves the city of Philadelphia.”

    Raina J. León, 44, was one of 32 applicants citywide, the largest number of candidates the city has had for the role, said Adam Feldman, the Free Library of Philadelphia department head of art and literature, and a poet laureate governing committee member.

    Born in Upper Darby, León is a Black, Afro Boricuan poet, writer, educator, and cultural worker raised in Southwest Philadelphia. She speaks English, Spanish, and Italian, and believes in a world where diversity can strengthen communities.

    Still unable to believe her achievement, the University of Southern Maine professor recalled lighting candles nervously, hoping to get the email bearing the news.

    “I keep thinking, ‘Maybe this isn’t my time,’” León said. “But, no, DéLana would want me to dream big and to walk on assurance of my voice having a space,” she added, remembering her late friend, the poet DéLana R.A. Dameron, who died in November.

    Creating a space where people feel that their voices are welcome is the legacy León wants to leave during her two-year tenure as poet laureate.

    An extract from Raina León’s poem “you don’t own the penthouse.”

    The poet laureate is an ambassador for poetry in the city, participating in community engagement, speaking at events, and mentoring the youth poet laureate, Rashawn Dorsey. But what excites León the most is helping Philadelphians see storytelling as a liberating practice.

    “Poetry is all around you. Even if you are like, ‘I don’t understand poetry’ — it understands you,” León said. “In these times of great volatility, with attacks on history and attacks on communities, there is a desire to preserve oneself by becoming numb, and poetry says, ‘No, you can’t be numb in life. You can’t be numb and observe the world.’”

    The poet laureate role comes with a $5,000 stipend, paid in two installments. But León says she isn’t in it for the money. She wants to provide language access to amplify Philadelphia’s diverse community of voices.

    She plans on holding open hours once a month at the Central Library of the Free Library for people to work on writing with her. For those who cannot come in person, León also wants to do online workshops.

    More importantly, she wants to work on writing projects across multiple languages, including American Sign Language, to ensure diversity opens doors in Philadelphia.

    “It’s like Bad Bunny said during the ‘Benito Bowl,’ what matters is that we are alive and we should be pouring [love] into one another and caring for one another,” León said. “Only love counters hate, and that is a revolutionary thing that is activating this, something that changes and pushes back on the nihilistic threat.”

    Raina León and her daughter at the Passing the Pen ceremony, in the Parkway Central Library on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
  • Seven couples tied the knot at Reading Terminal Market for a very Philly Valentine’s Day

    Seven couples tied the knot at Reading Terminal Market for a very Philly Valentine’s Day

    Tucked in between a fish market, a bakery, and a honey stand, seven couples tied the knot among family, friends, and perfect strangers on Saturday.

    “It’s amazing,” said Beth Esposito-Evans, who officiated the ceremony. “What could be more Philly than Reading Terminal Market?”

    Esposito-Evans, a vendor at the market, said she helped relaunch the “Married at the Market” Valentine’s Day wedding last year after she became an ordained minister.

    It was her second year officiating a group ceremony that blended traditional elements — two couples broke a glass, for example — with plenty of love for the market.

    Minister Elizabeth R. Esposito-Evans officiates and leads the wedding ceremony at the Reading Terminal Market’s Married at the Market on Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

    “Love is timeless,” Esposito-Evans said, “regardless of destination or background.”

    For bride Daysi Morales, the market is a place full of fond memories. Her father, Juan Morales, worked there as a security guard. He died of cancer in September 2024.

    “So there’s a sentimental aspect,” Morales said. “It’s a place where I can feel my dad’s presence.”

    David Skillman, kisses his bride, Daysi Morales, during their wedding day at the Reading Terminal Market’s Married at the Market on Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

    In an interview a few days before the ceremony, Morales, 36, and her partner, David Skillman, 35, finished each other’s sentences as they told their love story, which started as a Tinder date during the winter of 2021.

    They first met at Craft Hall, a sports bar in Old City, chosen because of its outdoor seating, which many people preferred during the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    They decided to go inside anyway, Skillman said, and there the conversation flowed and the connection was immediate. Morales was born in Honduras, he noted, where he had done medical missionary work as a registered nurse.

    “I think we dated for a couple weeks, then made [our relationship] official,” Morales said.

    They moved in together into her apartment in West Philly.

    After Morales’ father, Juan, fell ill, Skillman provided medical care for him during one of his shifts at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pavilion emergency department..

    “David was such a rock, not just for me, but for my family,” Morales said.

    In December 2024, they got engaged.

    The Reading Terminal Market offered couples a chance to get “Married at the Market” on Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

    For the couple, who now live in South Philly, there was also a practical aspect to having a scaled-down, low-cost wedding.

    “I want to buy a house,” Skillman said. “And buying a house and having a big wedding aren’t both feasible.”

    Morales said she worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before being laid off last year.

    “Especially in this economy, I think micro weddings are becoming more and more popular,” Morales said.

    That didn’t stop them from having a special wedding with some of their favorite Philly attractions — including Okie Dokie Donuts, an after-party at Sardine Bar, specialty cocktails, and a cake made by Morales’ family.

    Luigi Nicolae performs some music for families, friends, and guests attending the Reading Terminal Market’s Married at the Market on Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

    “It feels so special, to be in the market where my dad worked,” said Daysi Morales’ older sister Esther.

    Reading Terminal Market, at 12th and Arch Streets, is a magnet for tourists and a regular destination for residents. Housed in a National Historic Landmark building dating to 1893, the market has 72 food vendors, including a produce market, an oyster bar, Pennsylvania Dutch traditional food, and a wide range of other offerings.

    Fifty-seven couples applied for “Married at the Market,” according to event promoter London Faust. The seven lucky couples selected were treated to decor, a violin player, and the location, all paid for by Reading Terminal Market.

    Faust said “the Reading Terminal team began an outreach process loosely prioritizing those who had strong ties to the market in their love story.” The celebration is free of charge for those accepted.

    “We kind of needed something like this,” groom Joey Kathan said before the ceremony. “We’ve been engaged two years.”

    Megan Keane hugs Maurie Kathan, sister to Joey Kathan of Fishtown, the groom, at the Reading Terminal Market’s Married at the Market on Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.

    Kathan’s bride, Megan Keane, described them as a “COVID couple” who met on Bumble Washington and bonded over hiking trips before moving to Philadelphia a few years ago.

    “This was crazy,” Keane said. “We couldn’t believe we were accepted.”

    There were even some last-minute guests of honor. Dorothy and Terry White were at the market Saturday when one of the housekeepers introduced them to Esposito-Evans. She asked them to join the celebration.

    “We got married here, 21 years ago today,” Dorothy White triumphantly told the crowd.

  • Another partial government shutdown has started. Why is this one different? Here’s what we know.

    Another partial government shutdown has started. Why is this one different? Here’s what we know.

    Another partial government shutdown began Saturday, with lawmakers at an impasse. But this one is different.

    With congressional Democrats refusing to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the last of that agency’s funding has run out.

    It all stems from party-line disagreements surrounding ICE and immigration enforcement.

    When a funding lapse triggered a partial government shutdown on Jan. 31, Congress made a compromise: It approved spending bills for all agencies, except for DHS.

    DHS received two weeks of funding to give Congress more time to negotiate Immigration and Customs Enforcement changes, a push Senate Democrats have repeatedly made after federal immigration and border agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month.

    Now those two weeks are up and Congress is still in a standoff. Democrats want to see more guardrails regarding how ICE agents identify themselves, barring them from wearing masks, and requiring name badges. But Republicans say those practices would add too much risk to the job.

    Since all other government agencies have already been funded, DHS is the only one affected by the shutdown.

    Here’s what that means.

    What’s a partial government shutdown?

    A partial government shutdown happens when Congress has funded only certain federal agencies, leaving others in limbo. Some parts of the government close while others keep operating.

    In this case, it comes down to who has funding and who doesn’t. DHS is the only agency without approved funding. The agency’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30, meaning it currently stands without funding for seven months or until Congress reaches an agreement.

    When did government funding expire?

    Funding for DHS expired Friday at midnight. A shutdown began Saturday at 12:01 a.m. after Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration failed to reach an agreement.

    What changes with the partial shutdown?

    Not much in the eyes of the general public, according to CNN.

    Nearly all DHS workers remain on the job, but many won’t get paid until the shutdown ends.

    But DHS officials who testified before a House panel on Wednesday warned that a funding disruption could mean delays to states seeking reimbursements for disaster relief costs, delays in cybersecurity response, and missed paychecks for agents who screen bags at airports, which could lead to unplanned absences and longer wait times.

    DHS is home to agencies including the Transportation Security Aadministration, Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, which are all affected.

    What have Pennsylvania politicians said?

    Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) said he “absolutely” expected a shutdown. He broke with most Senate Democrats, voting to approve funding and avoid a shutdown in a measure that failed, and arguing that delaying funding DHS won’t impact ICE since the agency has received separate funding.

    Sen. John Fetterman said he ‘absolutely’ expects a DHS shutdown as ICE negotiations stall

    Earlier this month, some members of the Pennsylvania delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, including Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, Brendan Boyle, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Dwight Evans, and Summer Lee, penned a letter to Fetterman and Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) asking them to vote against passing the spending bill unless ICE reform is secured. (Both senators voted in favor, but it failed.)

    Houlahan, a Democrat from Chester County, criticized ICE last week and emphasized a need for immigration reform.

    “We are a nation of immigrants, but ICE is clearly not reform. ICE is undertrained. ICE is vastly, vastly overfunded,” she said. “They have a budget that is larger than many countries’ entire defense budgets.”

    Where does Congress stand right now?

    The House had already done its part and approved funding. The chamber is in recess until Feb. 17. But Senate Democrats are pushing back on its approval without immigration reforms. That leaves the Senate with few options if it cannot pass the current measures.

    The Senate adjourned Thursday for a Presidents’ Day recess after a motion to advance DHS funding failed 52-47, mostly along party lines. Democrats also blocked an attempt to extend funding for another two weeks.

    Lawmakers left town, some traveling to the Munich Security Conference in Germany, others to meetings nationwide and overseas.

    The chambers are not scheduled to return until Feb. 23, though that could change if a deal is reached in the meantime. But senators on each side say bipartisanship during an election year seems unlikely.

    So in short: We could be here for a while.

  • Westtown girls’ and boys’ basketball teams secure a Friends Schools League title

    Westtown girls’ and boys’ basketball teams secure a Friends Schools League title

    After the Westtown boys’ basketball team claimed its first Friends Schools League title since 2022 with a 64-54 win over Academy of the New Church on Friday night, the girls’ team joined the medal ceremony at the center court.

    The Westtown girls had their own hardware to show off for a championship photo op. The Moose hung on for a 53-46 win over Friends’ Central hours earlier in the FSL’s championship doubleheader at La Salle’s Glaser Arena.

    It was the sixth consecutive FSL title for the Westtown girls and the first time the teams had shared the court as champions since 2022.

    “I think the girls and the boys teams have a great bond at Westtown,” said guard Rowan Phillips. “It was good to see us win a championship because [the girls] have been doing this for a minute. So we’re just trying to catch up to them.”

    The Westtown boys and girls basketball teams pose with their championship medals. Westtown won both FSL titles in the same year for the first time since 2022.

    Westtown girls outlast Friends’ Central

    While the final score was closer than the Westtown coaching staff would have liked, the Moose scraped by No. 2 seed Friends’ Central behind Jordyn Palmer’s 19 points.

    “I don’t think there was a lot going well for us,” coach Fran Burbidge said. “But I thought we defended and made some really good things [happen] in the second half. … We kept battling.”

    The Phoenix held a 16-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Moose outscored them, 19-6, in the second to take a five-point halftime lead.

    Friends’ Central whittled Westtown’s advantage to one in the fourth, but the Phoenix could not retake the lead.

    Westtown’s Jordyn Palmer — a basketball phenom and highly sought-after recruit — has untapped potential

    While Palmer’s performance did not match her 34-point output from last year’s title game, the 6-foot-2 forward took command in the final minutes.

    Palmer, a nationally ranked recruit in the class of 2027, scored four of the game’s final five points, including a layup to put the Moose up, 50-46, with less than a minute remaining.

    “I think it was at the three-minute mark, I talked with Jordan,” Burbidge said. “I said, ‘All right, things haven’t gone real well up to this point, but now’s your time. … You up for that?’ She said, ‘Yeah, I got it.’”

    Westtown’s Jordyn Palmer (right) lays up the basketball in the fourth quarter on Friday.

    Westtown’s Jada Lynch scored 12 and Atlee Vanesko, a senior guard who is the No. 74 prospect in ESPN’s rankings and is committed to Ohio State, added nine.

    Ryan Carter led Friends’ Central with 16 points, while Zya Small had 15. Like Palmer (No. 6), Carter (No. 12) and Small (No. 47) are in ESPN’s top 60 prospects for 2027.

    Westtown, which is ranked eighth nationally by Sports Illustrated, is the top seed in the PAISAA state tournament. The Moose will host the winner between Agnes Irwin and Episcopal Academy in the quarterfinals.

    Second-seeded Friends’ Central will play the winner of a first-round matchup between Germantown Academy and Penn Charter in the quarterfinals.

    Westtown boys beat Academy of the New Church

    Phillips’ 20-point performance led Westtown boys to be crowned FSL champions.

    The 6-6 sophomore guard transferred to Westtown after spending his freshman year at Archbishop Wood. The FSL title was the first high school championship of any kind for Phillips, who is a four-star prospect ranked 21st nationally in the class of 2028.

    “It feels great,” Phillips said. “It feels good to get one for the coaching staff and to see all the smiles on the guys’ faces for the first ’ship.”

    Marshall Bailey added 15 points for the Moose. Academy of the New Church’s Ryan Warren led all scorers with 22 points, but his outburst was not enough for the Lions to beat Westtown.

    Westtown School’s Rowan Phillips dunks in the fourth quarter past Academy of the New Church’s Antonio Lozada on Friday.

    Friday night’s title was far from the first for coach Seth Berger, who led Westtown to eight consecutive FSL titles from 2014 to 2022. But he noted that this season’s FSL championship was the first title for every player on his team and three of his assistant coaches.

    “I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am for them to experience what it is to be a Friends League champion,” Berger said. “This is such an incredibly tough league, and ANC is a fantastic, tough, and well-coached team. I’m super happy for everybody, and mostly for the first time champs.”

    Westtown is the top seed in the PAISAA state tournament and will host No. 16 seed Kiski School in the tournament’s opening round.

    Seventh-seeded Academy of the New Church will host No. 10 seed Penn Charter in the first round.

  • Source: Former Phillies OF Nick Castellanos agrees to deal with Padres

    Source: Former Phillies OF Nick Castellanos agrees to deal with Padres

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nick Castellanos has a new team.

    Two days after the Phillies released him with one year left on his contract, Castellanos agreed Saturday to join the Padres, a major league source confirmed.

    The Phillies will pay all but the major league minimum ($780,000) portion of his $20 million salary for 2026.

    The Phillies were intent on moving on from Castellanos after he clashed last season with manager Rob Thomson. In response to a report that was about to be published by The Athletic, Castellanos detailed a June 16 incident in which he brought a beer into the dugout in the eighth inning of a game in Miami after Thomson replaced him for defense. Castellanos was benched for the next game.

    A beer in the dugout, a benching, and a rift with his manager: Inside the final Phillies season for Nick Castellanos

    Castellanos, who ranked among the worst defenders in the sport, also lost his everyday role in right field in August and publicly criticized Thomson in September for “questionable” communication.

    “It was just a difficult situation,” Thomson said recently on Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast. “The thing with Nick, the bottom line is, he wants to play every day. He wants to play every inning, every day, and you can’t fault him for that. I think I respect him a great deal, just for being that guy.”

    Castellanos played literally every day for most of his time with the Phillies after signing a five-year, $100 million contract in 2022. He started 236 consecutive games, including all 162 in 2024. It was the longest streak by a Phillies player since Pete Rose started 350 consecutive games from 1980 to 1983.

    Hayes: Selfish, insubordinate Nick Castellanos is released by Phillies then issues a wild manifesto on Instagram

    A two-time All-Star with 250 career homers, Castellanos batted .260 with 82 homers and a .732 OPS for the Phillies. His OPS+ of 100 indicated league-average production relative to all major league hitters.

    Castellanos reportedly will play first base for the first time in his career for the Padres, who also intend to use him as a designated hitter. He could see time in the outfield, although San Diego is well-stocked with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ramón Laureano in right and left, respectively, with Jackson Merrill in center field.

    The Phillies play the Padres on May 25-27 in San Diego and June 2-4 at Citizens Bank Park.

  • Daniel Hilferty: We know Philadelphia can shine on the FIFA World Cup stage. Let’s show it.

    Daniel Hilferty: We know Philadelphia can shine on the FIFA World Cup stage. Let’s show it.

    Last June, I was in my office at the Xfinity Mobile Arena when I saw sparks flying on Pattison Avenue. That’s not a metaphor. I saw literal sparks, plumes of red and black smoke, and heard a steady beat of drums. Thousands of people were marching toward Lincoln Financial Field, chanting, with all the gusto in the world, to a soccer match.

    It was 10:30 a.m.

    As a lifelong Philadelphian, I know our love of sports. I’ve witnessed my fair share of tailgates, and in the last three years, I’ve seen that devotion, up close and personal, in my role as governor of the Philadelphia Flyers. But as I stared out my office window and watched this parade of passion, I was struck by the extraordinary power and potential of the FIFA World Cup ’26 in Philadelphia this summer.

    Since 2000, we have experienced some of the largest and most significant events ever to take place in our city, from the papal visit in 2015 to the Democratic National Convention the following year, to the 2017 NFL Draft. I’ve had the privilege of helping to lead many of these civic efforts and, no doubt, 2026 promises to be a game changer with America’s 250th anniversary, PGA Championship, ArtPhilly, and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week.

    Wydad AC fans cheer during the FIFA Club World Cup match in June against Manchester City FC at Lincoln Financial Field.

    But what I learned last summer, as Moroccan fans flooded the stadium complex, was that soccer is the world’s love language. It unites sports, culture, and national pride. Fans live and breathe every minute from opening kick through stoppage time. There is no arriving late to a match, and there is no movement from one’s seat during it.

    I’m frequently asked, “Are we ready for 2026?” The answer is yes, because Philadelphia hosts major international events so well. But what I’m not sure we are ready for is what a spectacular celebration the FIFA World Cup is.

    I’m not sure we understand just how important this sport — and this tournament — is to the world. And I’m not sure we realize there is no host city more ready to embrace the fans who will come for this party than Philadelphia.

    The Inquirer’s complete guide to the FIFA World Cup in Philly

    That’s what makes this so exciting for 2026 — and so important beyond this year.

    FIFA chose Philadelphia to host six of the tournament’s 104 matches here, including a Round of 16 match on July 4. We have been asked to play host to soccer fans from around the globe, especially those who will root for Brazil, the Ivory Coast, Croatia, Curaçao, Ecuador, Haiti, France, Ghana, and a few yet-to-be-determined national teams.

    It’s crucial we recognize that among the many reasons Philadelphia was selected by FIFA was our authentic passion for sports and our unabashed pride for this place we call home.

    The match pennant is held by Stefan Lainer of FC Salzburg as he walks out prior to a FIFA Club World Cup match in June against Real Madrid CF at Lincoln Financial Field.

    We know Philadelphia can shine on the world stage. We know that hundreds of thousands of visitors will walk our streets, dine in our restaurants, and experience our neighborhoods. The global media will spotlight our skyline and highlight our stories. Investment will flow into tourism and community development. But to unlock the economic, cultural, and civic potential of the FIFA World Cup, and of 2026, we need one important thing.

    We need you to be here. We need every Philadelphian to help us welcome the world.

    So, how can you do that?

    Come to the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, which will be free to enter during the tournament. And don’t just come once!

    Adopt a rooting interest among the teams coming here, in addition to our U.S. men’s national team.

    When visitors ask where to eat (and they will!), give them your best hidden neighborhood gem.

    Paulinho of Palmeiras scores his team’s first goal past John of Botafogo during a FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field in June.

    If someone asks what they absolutely must do or see when here, tell them your favorite experience, whether it’s in arts and culture, history, culinary, or even shopping.

    And when you’re asked to take a picture at the top of the “Rocky Steps,” happily do it!

    What makes Philadelphia special is its people. It’s why we won our bid in 2022, and it’s why this year has the potential to be a launchpad for Philadelphia as a global destination. This summer, the eyes of the world will be on us, and we want them to see the best of who we are: welcoming, inclusive, fun, proud, and united.

    But to show that, we need you to be here. We need you to be part of the action. And we need you to help us make history together.

    Daniel J. Hilferty is the chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor and governor of the Philadelphia Flyers. He has served as cochair of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 since 2021, alongside Michelle Singer.

  • Jersey’s historic diners keep closing. This legislation aims to keep more alive.

    Jersey’s historic diners keep closing. This legislation aims to keep more alive.

    There may be new hope for diners in New Jersey.

    In recent years, a string of the state’s iconic diners have shuttered their doors. New state legislation aims to keep the lights on at those still in business.

    The bill, which was introduced in the New Jersey Senate in January, would provide some diners and other historic restaurants with tax benefits.

    “Diners, and specifically historic diners, are a cornerstone of our great state, having served residents and visitors for many decades. They are part of our culture and our history, and we have a duty to help them thrive,” State Sen. Paul Moriarty of Gloucester County, a sponsor of the bill, said in a statement Thursday.

    The legislation, which would establish a registry of historic diners and restaurants, would give the businesses a tax credit of up to $25,000. Only diners and family-owned restaurants operating for at least 25 years will qualify.

    The bill has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

    “It has been heartbreaking to see so many of these well-known establishments close or dramatically cut their hours,” Moriarity said.

    Where have diners closed in New Jersey?

    The origin of the modern diner can be traced back to a horse-drawn lunch wagon in 19th-century Rhode Island and the model has evolved since then. New Jersey has been coined the “diner capital” of the U.S. but has seen closures in recent years due to increased operating expenses, the challenge of finding employees, and the impact of the pandemic.

    The Cherry Hill Diner closed in 2023 after 55 years in business and following the co-owner’s unsuccessful search for a buyer. South Jersey’s Gateway Diner in Gloucester County closed that same year amid construction of the Westville Route 47 Bridge and the state’s acquisition of the site. The Red Lion Diner in Burlington County also sold, making way for a Wawa.

    In January 2024, the Star View Diner in Camden County closed. Last year, the Collingswood Diner shut its doors in August, to be replaced by a marijuana dispensary.

    The trend extended in Philadelphia where the Midtown III closed in 2020. Last year, the Mayfair Diner in Northeast Philadelphia was listed for sale.