PIAA Boys' Basketball Capsules
CLASS AAA 3-1 Susquehanna Twp. (20-7) vs. 11-2 Pottsville (24-4)
When/where: Today, 7:30 p.m., Geigle Compex, Reading
About the Crimson Tide
Head coach: Dave Mullaney (7th season)
How got here: Beat District 1 runner-up Lower Moreland 58-38 in the first round
Team stats: Offense (54.7 ppg), defense (37.2)
Probable starters: G Travis Blankenhorn (jr., 6-foot-2, 18.3 points per game), G Ty Painter (jr., 5-8, 2.9), G-F Jordan Melochick (soph., 6-2, 10.0), G-F Connor Hinchliffe (jr., 6-1, 6.1), F Eli Nabholz (jr., 6-5, 12.6)
Key reserve: F John Toomey (sr., 6-2, 1.4)
About the Indians
Head coach: Vince Rogers (8th season)
How got here: Beat District 12 fourth-place finisher Imhotep Charter 65-47 in first round
Team stats: Offense (63.0), defense (53.3)
Probable starters: G Nehemiah "Bud" Mack (soph., 6-0, 17.5), G Gabe Mack (sr., 5-10, 10.9), F Joe Marshall (jr., 6-4, 9.1), F Quintin Ward (jr., 6-6, 8.8), F Roman Letterlough (jr., 6-5, 5.5) or G-F Takhi Turner (sr., 6-1, 6.1)
Key reserves: F Jaquan Blair (jr., 6-3, 3.5), G Jordan Millberry (sr., 5-8, 2.8), F Lawrence Holley (sr., 6-3, 2.5)
Game Notes
Marshall scored a game-high 21 points (10-for-11 from the floor) and grabbed team-high eight boards in the Indians' first-round win. Gabe Mack added 18 points, with 10 in opening quarter, including two huge 3-pointers, while Bud Mack had 16 points and was 10-for-12 at the line, including a 7-for-7 performance the fourth quarter. ... Nabholz scored a season-high 25 points, while Blankenhorn added 18 in Crimson Tide's first-round victory. ... Indians have won five straight and 16-of-19 since losing to Imhotep Charter (51-49) on Jan. 4. Avenged that loss with opening-round win. ⦠Indians making second straight appearance in states, beating Upper Moreland (62-42) in first round in 2013 before losing to eventual state champ Imhotep Charter (57-48) in second round. ... Indians' district title was first since 2008, when they lost in state championship game to Steel-High. ... Crimson Tide's first-round victory was program's first in state playoffs since 1974. ⦠Crimson Tide have won 8-of-10, with losses coming to Mahanoy Area in Schuylkill League championship game and Allentown Central Catholic in District 11 title game. ... Bud Mack has interest from Drexel, Norfolk State, Holy Cross, Bucknell, Boston University, Radford and Temple, while Marshall drawing attention from Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Radford, Mount St. Mary's, George Mason and Loyola (Md.). ... Tide have hit 148 3-pointers on the season, led by Blankenhorn (60) and Hinchliffe (22), while Nabholz and Melochick have 19 apiece. ... Indians are currently ranked No. 7 in latest PennLive.com state rankings. Crimson Tide are an honorable mention.
What's next: Winner faces either 3-7 Lancaster Mennonite (21-7) or 7-2 Chartiers Valley (22-4) in quarterfinals Friday at site and time to be determined.
CLASS A
1-1 Church Farm (24-4) vs. 11-1 Mahanoy Area (25-2)
When/where: Today, 7:30 p.m., Central Dauphin East High School, Harrisburg
About the Golden Bears
Head coach: Mickey Holland (33rd season)
How got here: Beat District 4 third-place finisher Galeton 57-20 in first round
Team stats: Offense (57.8), defense (33.0)
Probable starters: G Jason Richmond (jr., 6-1, 5.9), G Larry McNeil (sr., 6-3, 11.2), G Dylan Mahmod (sr., 6-1, 13.7), F Andy Kuzma (sr., 6-3, 3.6), C Tyler Cavenas (sr., 6-5, 11.8)
Key reserves: G Matt Yedsena (soph., 6-0, 4.1), F Brian Miller (jr., 6-3, 5.9)
About the Griffins
Head coach: Marc Turner (17th season)
How got here: Beat District 3 third-place finisher Lebanon Catholic 59-38 in first round
Team stats: Offense (57.8), defense (43.0)
Probable starters: G Andofo Anyam (5-9, 17.0), C Joey Shelton (sr., 6-4, 12.0), G Tyler Ofray (sr., 6-0, 11.0), G Michael Mohamed (jr., 5-11, 5.0), F Emmit Jeffries (jr., 6-2, 1.0)
Key reserves: None
Game Notes
Mahmod and Cavenas had 17 points apiece in first-round win. ... Ofray (22), Anyam (15) and Shelton (13) all reached double figures for Griffins in first-round win over Lebanon Catholic. Shelton also had 13 rebounds as Griffins forced 18 turnovers and opened up a 24-14 halftime lead. ... Griffins won fourth consecutive District 1 title with 68-60 win over Phil-Mont Christian. ... After starting season 3-4, Griffins have won 21 consecutive games. ... Golden Bears have won seven straight since 62-61 loss to North Schuylkill on Jan. 31. ... Golden Bears have hit 176 3-pointers this season, led by McNeil (45), Mahmod (39) and Richmond (34). ... Rematch of second-round game from last season, won by Griffins 42-36. Golden Bears led 32-23 entering fourth quarter, but shot 0-for-7 in final frame and turned ball over five times as Griffins finished game on 19-4 run. ... Griffins are currently ranked No. 5 in state, Golden Bears No. 6.
What's next: Winner faces either 4-2 Sullivan County (20-6) or 12-1 Math, Civics & Sciences (12-14) in quarterfinals Friday at site and time to be determined.
- Compiled by Mike Carnahan