Lancers finally seal off a victory

Nervy free throws help Neshannock

It wasn’t always pretty, but Neshannock (20-7) overcame some poor free-throw shooting in the fourth quarter to stop Brookville, 44-40, in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs Wednesday at Clarion University.

The Lancers held a 39-31 lead with just under five minutes to play, but seven consecutive missed free throws in the fourth quarter allowed District 10 champion Brookville (23-3) to cut the lead to 41-40.

In the final 13 seconds, the Lancers’ Luciano DeLillo hit one free throw and Jack Glies two to account for the final margin. Glies led Neshannock with 12 points.

More Class 3A Deer Lakes 67, Loyalsock 59:

The WPIAL champion Lancers,(19-8), who won their first-ever state playoff game Saturday, continued their historic march by defeating District 4 Loyalsock in the second round at Altoona. Bryce Robson led Deer Lakes with 18 points. Deer Lakes will meet Neshannock in a quarterfinal.

Franklin 57, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 45:

OLSH (20-7), which won the 2A state title the past two years, will not win a championship this year as District 10 Franklin ( 23- 4) rolled past the Chargers at Westminster College. Rocco Spadafora and Bryson Kirschner paced OLSH, each scoring 14 points. Jalen Wood led Franklin with a game- high 17 points.

Class 6A New Castle 65, Downingtown West 56:

Trailing 9-3, New Castle (24-3) went on a 15-0 run to take an 18-9 lead early in the second quarter at Bald Eagle Area and maintained the lead the rest of the way. Downingtown West (208) got to within six points twice, but could not get any closer. Dylan Blair, who will play at Army next year, had a game-high 28 points for the District 1 Whippets. The Hurricanes had four players reach double figures, led by Isaiah Boice and Jonathan Anderson with 16 points apiece. Ralphie Blundo added 14 and DaJuan Young 11.

Class 4A North Catholic 78, Valley View 56:

The Trojans (21-7) held a comfortable 40-23 lead at halftime as they coasted past the District 2 Cougars ( 22- 5) at Central Mountain. North Catholic was led by Andrew Maddalon (24 points), Max Hurray (23) and Max Rottman ( 15). North Catholic will meet Uniontown in a quarterfinal.

Class 2A Bishop Canevin 56, Mercer 43:

Shea Champine, who finished with a game-high 27 points, scored his 1,000th point, helping the Crusaders (22-6) drop the District 10 Mustangs (21-6) at Hampton.

Aliquippa 84, West Branch 29:

The WPIAL champion Quips (22-6) roared out to a 9-0 lead and kept their foot on the gas pedal in downing the District 6 Warriors (20-9) at Armstrong High School. Aliquippa will face Bishop Canevin in a quarterfinal.

Otto-Eldred 64, Serra Catholic 44:

The Eagles (16-12) fell to the District 9 Terrors (25-2) at Dubois.

Erie First Christian 67, Northgate 52: The Flames (20-8), trying to make it to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 1978, were dropped by the District 10 Eagles (1610).