North Catholic’s Jason Fredericks had a huge game to beat Knoch in triple overtime Tuesday. He’ll likely need to have a big game again Friday against Carver E&S in the PIAA Class 4A boys basketball tournament quarterfinals. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic needed triple overtime to get past rival Knoch and now hopes to have fresh legs ahead of Friday’s PIAA Class 4A boys basketball quarterfinal matchup against Philadelphia Public League school Carver E&S.

The Engineers are the fifth seed out of District 12 after they were forced to forfeit a Public League quarterfinal a few weeks ago but still managed to secure a state playoff berth. They beat District 3 champ Berks Catholic and D2 runner-up Dallas to get here.

“Now they get another opportunity to advance again,” NC coach Jim Rocco said after Tuesday’s win. “They probably would’ve won the Public League. They probably would’ve been the No. 1 seed out of District 12, so we get an opportunity to play just a great team. I’ve watched them on film. I really appreciate how hard they play, how talented they are playing in the Public League.

“So we have an opportunity to be a little David here.”

Here’s what to know about the matchup that will help set the final four:

Livestream: The PIAA is posting streaming and broadcast information for each round on its website ahead of the start of that round.

Tickets: According to the PIAA, tickets can be purchased for $9 in advance on hometownticketing.com and for $10 at the door

Brackets: See the latest PIAA tournament brackets for all classifications here

Site/time: McConnellsburg High School, 5 p.m.

Up next: Winner of 8-1 Obama Academy vs. 7-4 Deer Lakes

Trojans’ key player: Jason Fredericks. He sank four 3-pointers, carried the Trojans (21-6) in 12 minutes of free basketball and finished with a game-high 29 points against Knoch. Sometimes it’s Jude Rottmann in this spot, but Fredericks probably has to shoulder the load once again in what could be an even tougher matchup.

Engineers’ key player: Coached by Dustin Hardy-Moore, the Engineers (21-6) are led by a trio of talented guards averaging 11 points or more the Trojans will have to slow down: seniors Matthew McField and Fareed Brown, and junior Billy Henighan. Let’s pick Brown, who has a slightly more well-rounded game averaging 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He scored 20 against Dallas on Tuesday was named All-Public League First Team along with McField.

North Catholic wins if ... it can keep pace or set the tone. Both teams can score a lot, and Henighan brings some shooting range that will stretch the Trojans’ defense, which may or may not have to contend with tired legs from Tuesday’s marathon. But they cannot let those three guards dictate the terms of engagement or it could be a long night after an actually long night.

Butler Eagle sports writer Brendan Howe contributed to this story.