READING — It was clear early that Mahanoy Area was out-matched in the second round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs.
The Golden Bears already trailed by double digits when Mike Joseph finally got them on the board, but Conwell-Egan dominated throughout in an 82-31 win. The Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the state in the latest Class AA Pennlive.com poll.
Matt Yedsena was the Bears’ lone bright spot offensively, scoring a team-high 14 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Joseph’s inside jumper was the only basket Mahanoy Area (21-6) made during the entire first quarter, which ended with a 30-2 Eagles lead.
Chase Kumor made four of his six total 3-pointers in the opening period for Conwell-Egan (18-8). Kumor finished with a game-high 22 points.
Stevie Jordan added 10 points in the first quarter en route to a 16-point night for the Eagles.
“We knew coming in it was going to be an uphill battle,” Mahanoy Area coach Scott Hudson said. “After the first period, I just wanted our team to keep playing hard.
“I called two quick timeouts to get our heads back in the game. I told them to win the next quarter and be positive. Tonight, Conwell-Egan was the better team, and that’s what it comes down to. They’re gonna go pretty far.”
The second quarter was more of the same for the Bears, who committed six of their 16 total turnovers in the frame. Their struggles to contain the Eagles’ potent offense also continued.
Kumor led the way with seven points, including his fifth 3-pointer, while LaPri McCray-Pace and Tyler Watto also added triples.
By halftime, Conwell-Egan held a 51-8 lead.
“They shot the lights out early,” Hudson said. “They have the size, and they play in a tough league night in and night out. Today was a tough game.”
Yedsena scored eight of his 14 points in the second half. The junior tried with every possession to make up for his team’s sluggish start.
After the Eagles’ 19-8 third quarter, Mahanoy Area managed to outscore them 15-12 in the final period, but it was too little too late.
“None of these guys are going to quit, especially Matt,” Hudson said of Yedsena. “He’s going to play hard, and I couldn’t ask anything more from him.”
After the game, Hudson praised his team’s numerous accomplishments throughout the year.
“Early in the season, we lost one of our top players, Jason Richmond, to injury, and nobody really gave us a chance to be in the position we were in tonight,” Hudson said. “We had five new starters and a whole new coaching staff, but guys just stepped up all season.
“Kids never put their heads down, and they played hard,’’ he added. “We had a great last two weeks with winning our division in the Schuylkill League and then winning a game in the state playoffs. I just can’t be more proud of these guys.”
Game Summary
PIAA Class AA Second Round
At Geigle Complex, Reading
MAHANOY AREA (31) — Erbe 0 0-0 0, Yedsena 6 0-0 14, Luddy 0 0-0 0, M. Derr 1 0-0 2, Styka 0 0-0 0, McGee 1 0-0 3, Wronski 2 0-0 5, Miller 0 0-0 0, Joseph 2 0-0 5, Blackwell 1 0-0 2, Price 0 0-0 0, R. Derr 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 0-0 31.
CONWELL-EGAN (82) — Green 1 0-0 2, Johnson 1 0-0 2, Burton 1 0-0 2, Robinson 0 2-2 2, Watto 3 0-0 9, McCray-Pace 1 0-0 3, Thompson 0 1-2 1, Jordan 7 0-1 16, Lutz 2 0-2 4, Manto 0 1-2 1, Burney 1 3-3 5, Esposito 0 0-0 0, Kumor 8 0-0 22, Kelly 2 0-0 6, Dallesandro 2 2-4 7. Totals 29 9-16 82.
MA (21-6) 2 6 8 15 — 31 C-E (18-8) 30 21 19 12 — 82
3-point FGs: Yedsena 2, McGee, Wronski, Joseph, Watto 3, McCray-Pace, Jordan 2, Kumor 6, Kelly 2, Dalessandro