There’s only one team left standing in the city as the basketball postseason progresses through this week and that’s Bethlehem Catholic.

The Golden Hawks kept their season alive for at least two more games after knocking off Northwestern 50-45 in the opening round of the District 11 4A tournament last week.

With three teams moving onto to the state tournament in 4A, Becahi (17-6) had some room to breathe heading into Tuesday’s semifinal against Central Catholic (20-4), which was past Press deadlines.

The winner of Tuesday’s marquee showdown earns a berth in Friday’s championship and automatically clinches a berth in the PIAA tournament. The loser moves to the consolation contest, between either top-seeded Wilson (18-6) or North Schuylkill (13-10).

With Wilson claiming the Colonial League Championship, it gave them the top-seed in the bracket, and unfortunately, pitted the two best teams of the tournament in the semifinals.

Hawks’ head coach Scott McClary knew it was going to be a difficult outing against the defending district and PIAA champion Vikings.

“Central is a very tough opponent and we will need to play our best game of the year to win this one,” said McClary. “They have some great individual players, and they don’t do anything to beat themselves. They are likely the best defensive team we will have faced all season, so our ability to find scoring is a concern. Limiting Liam Joyce’s touches and limiting Tyson Thomas’ ability to penetrate are keys, but Central still has an array of ways to beat you, and their team has tremendous depth as well.”

Both teams have dominated the 4A classification, as the Hawks won titles from 2017-19, while Central has won the last two titles.

The Vikings also topped Becahi earlier this season in their only encounter of the season, winning 39-29, back on December 17.

The Hawks weren’t at full strength for that contest and had their star power with Edixon Gomez back in the lineup this time around.

However, they’re also playing a lineup that is mostly healthy for the first time in two years, which is something they weren’t used to.

“This current lineup has only had a few total practices together, along with one game, in their whole lives,” said McClary. “So, while the talent level is a bit higher, along with our depth, our on the court chemistry is still very much a work in progress. Additionally, we have three players playing with very significant injuries that will not be able to be addressed until after the season has ended.”

Gomez, who led the team in scoring against Northwestern’s upset bid with 15-points, is one of those players fighting through injury, as he has a torn meniscus.

Ryan Glassmacher followed with 10 points to pace the Hawks, but they’ll need a more balanced effort in order to beat Central.

“I was very pleased that we were able to keep our composure down the stretch and beat Northwestern,” McClary said. “They played really well with their season on the line as we expected them to. This time of year, there are no excuses, you just have to adopt a win any way mentality.”

Liberty and Freedom both saw their seasons end in the opening rounds of the District 11 6A tournament last week. Freedom was outmanned against top-seeded Parkland 70-38, while Liberty was nipped by second-seed Pocono Mountain West 55-54.

Liberty held a 54-53 victory late in the fourth before Julian Pagan netted the game-winner for West with eight seconds left to stifle Liberty’s upset bid.

Kuwasi Wellington and Joseph Barnes both registered 21 points apiece for the Hurricanes in the loss.