Class 5A quarterfinals set with four WPIAL teams
For only the second time in school history, Shaler has made it to the state quarterfinals.
The senior- laden Titans (25-3) used a dominating second half to fly past District 3 champion Mechanicsburg, 68-48, in a PIAA 5A secondround playoff game Tuesday night at Altoona High School.
The game was tied 27-27 late in the first half when Shaler scored the final six points, including a shot at the buzzer by Brandon London, to grab a 33-27 halftime lead.
In the second half, Shaler kept building on its lead, grabbing a 52-41 advantage after three quarters on a 3-pointer by Sam Himrod near the end of the quarter. Shaler was led in scoring by Kaden Orga and Julian Vizzoca, each with 16 points, and London with 14.
Other Class 5A Moon 59, York Suburban 38:
The WPIAL champion Tigers (25-3) outscored the District 3 Trojans in the fourth quarter, 22-10, to put the game away at Hollidaysburg High School. Scoring in double figures for Moon were Elijah Guillory (18 points), Aiden Reesman (12) and Charlie Depner (11).
Franklin Regional 56, Selinsgrove 45: The Panthers (25-3), the WPIAL runner-up, used a game-high 21 points from Colin Masten to turn back the District 4 champion Seals (18-8) at Altoona.
Bethel Park 48, Fox Chapel 43:
The Black Hawks (15-13) trailed the Foxes (16-12) by 20- 13 at halftime. Bethel Park outscored Fox Chapel, 18-4, in the third quarter on its way to securing a win at Peters Township. Nick Brown had a game-high 16 points for the Black Hawks. Asher White led the Foxes with 15.
Class 4A Hampton 50, Johnstown 48:
In a wild finish at Hempfield High School, the Talbots (24-4) got past the District 6 champion Trojans (22-5) when Peter Kramer sank two free throws with 6.4 seconds to play to snap a 48- all tie. After Kramer’s free throws, Johnstown’s Donte Tisinger connected on a 3-point shot, but the referees ruled the final buzzer had already sounded. Kramer finished with a gamehigh 21 points, while teammate Liam Mignogna added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Class 1A
Imani Christian 79, Clarion 45: The WPIAL champion Saints (16-10), the defending state champions, continued their playoff dominance in the game at Armstrong. The 34point victory marked their fifth consecutive playoff win (WPIAL and states) by 23 points or more. Imani Christian jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter lead and rolled from there. The Saints were led in scoring by Nate Brazil (19 points) and R.J. Sledge (12). Clarion, from District 10, finished at 18-10.
Union 64, Elk County Catholic 62:
A 23-point effort from Lucas Stanley helped the Scotties (17-11) to a narrow win against the District 9 champion Crusaders (25-3) at Clarion University.
Bishop Carroll 71, Neighborhood Academy 70 (OT):
The Bulldogs (19-7) bowed out of the state playoffs with a heartbreaking overtime loss to the District 6 champion Huskies (17-10) at Armstrong High.