I'm not a fan of making predictions. Never have been, never will. The only ones I've ever made (at least in a high school basketball sense) have been for the Daily Times' state-championship preview packages. And in those, I'm a respectable 3-1.

So let's try this out:
District One Class AAAA Quarterfinal - Bensalem at Chester. The ninth-seeded Owls, who advanced to the state tourney for the first time since 1991, played physically late to overcome North Penn Tuesday. They're seasoned by districts ... but nothing prepares you for a game at the Clip Joint. Clippers roll, 74-57.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Pennridge at Penn Wood. There's nothing like having your back against the wall to bring out the best in your game. Everyone is entitled to a bad game. That's what I chalk up the Patriots' last game to. They are too good to be denied this early into the postseason. Penn Wood cruises past an undermanned and inexperienced Rams team, 74-50.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Glen Mills at Upper Darby. In a rematch of the teams' regular-season finale - the one that cost the Royals an undefeated season - the Battlin' Bulls clearly have the size advantage. It's something they exploited against UD. My guess is Upper Darby, having learned its lesson, battles down low early and often. It'll be close, but the edge goes to the Royals, 49-46.

District One Class AAAA Playback - Springfield at North Penn. The Knights blew their lead at home against Bensalem in Round 2, so they might be antsy to return to the court. Meanwhile, the Cougars had their hands full at Chester. This will be the closest, most back-and-forth game of all the remaining teams from Delco. My guess is Springfield senior Zack DeVito, who has been limited this postseason, turns it up. Springfield wins a nailbiter, 54-50.

District One Class A Quarterfinal: Delco Christian at Faith Christian. The Knights have meandered above and below .500 for much of the season, while FC has lost just once since the turn of the calendar. Looks like DC could be up against it, even with newly minted 1,000-point scorer Jordan Sbraccia at the ready. FC gets the nod, 49-47.

Catholic League championship - Neumann-Goretti vs. Archbishop Carroll, Monday at the Palestra. Watch the reigning league, district and state champion Saints for 32 minutes and you'll be as convinced as I am that they are much more beatable than they were a year ago. They don't shoot the ball as well, nor do they protect it as well. Though the Patriots are young, they are disciplined. I'm going the upset route. Patriots and upstart point guard Yosef Yacob (pictured above) eke out a win, 67-64.

One final note: Last week began with 13 of Delco's 23 boys basketball teams in the playoffs. Now, we're down to six. Kind of sad, really. This is my favorite time of the year. Here's hoping a few of them can maintain a heartbeat for their playoff lives.