Roman Catholic High School, a basketball powerhouse known for its grit on the hardwood, introduced its new head coach Thursday in former NBA player Brad Wanamaker.

Wanamaker is the first Roman Catholic head coach with pro experience since Billy Markward started in 1901. Wanamaker will replace 12-year head coach Chris McNesby.

Roman Catholic leads the Philadelphia Catholic League with 34 championships, winning two in the last three seasons. That's the level of success Wanamaker is expected to continue in his first head coaching job.

Wanamaker, a 2007 Roman Catholic graduate and High School Player of the Year, has 11 years of pro experience in both the NBA and overseas. At Roman, he played under legendary head coach Dennis Seddon, who won 10 championships.

"Those guys set a blueprint of

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