Disitrict 11 basketball semifinal round games involve eight area teams

Six games involving eight Times News area teams will be on tap as the semifinal round of the District 11 basketball tournament takes place over the next couple of days.

BOYS

Class 4A Semifinals

No. 3 Tamaqua (18-7) vs. No. 2 Bethlehem Cath. (13-10)

TIP OFF: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at Freedom High School

COACHES: Tamaqua - Jimmy Barron (5th season); Bethlehem Catholic - Scott McClary

LEADING SCORERS: Tamaqua - Lucas Gregoire (17.36 ppg), Brayden Knoblauch (17.24), Barron Stauffenberg (7.58), Nathan Gregoire (6.28), Nate Boyle (5.48); Bethlehem Catholic - Isaiah Alexander (6-6 So.), Julian Thomas (6-3 Sr.), Bryan Santana (5-11 Sr.), Ryan Santana (5-11 Sr.)

GAME NOTES: Bethlehem Catholic defeated Northwestern 56-39 in the quarterfinals, while Tamaqua earned a convincing 79-45 win over Pine Grove in the same round ... The winner of this matchup takes on the winner of No. 4 seed Wilson and top seed Allentown Central Catholic in the finals, while the losers meet in the consolation round ... The Blue Raiders have already clinched a state postseason berth as the 4A class gets four teams into the PIAA playoffs ... In their quarterfinal win over Pine Grove, the Raiders jumped out to a 29-11 lead after one period ... Becahi never trailed against the Tigers. The Golden Hawks’ tandem of Ryan Glassmacher and Matt Stianche combined for nine points in a crucial 11-0 run in the third period to give them an insurmountable lead. Thomas led the Hawks with 16 points, while Alexander added 11 ... In Tamaqua’s quarterfinal victory, Knoblauch and Lucas Gregoire both scored 19 while Bollentino tallied a season-high 17. The Raiders hit 11 three-pointers in the contest ... Knoblauch now stands at 1,252 career points and is tied with Bill Yelsh for sixth on the all-time Raiders’ scoring list. Teammate Lucas Gregoire is in eighth with 1,180 points ... Knoblauch’s 431 points this season include 67 threes, meaning 47% of his points come from beyond the arc. The senior also has 167 rebounds (second on team), 127 steals (first on team) and a 2.44 assist-to-turnover ratio ... Lucas Gregoire has a team-high 436 points, and leads the team in rebounds with 248. He is also the team’s leading shot blocker ... The team’s only common opponent is Nazareth. Tamaqua dropped a 52-47 decision to the Blue Eagles on Dec. 7, while the Hawks lost a 44-39 contest on Jan. 17 ... Tamaqua has scored at least 70 points in eight of its games, while Becahi has reached 70 three times ... The last time the two teams met in districts was 1998 when the Hawks posted a 66-39 victory in the quarterfinals. The Raiders’ last district title came in 1983.

QUOTE: “The game plan is to take care of the ball and limit their fast breaks. They are a team that thrives off getting up and down the court and getting transition buckets. They are tall and athletic and make you work on offense. We had a really nice win in the quarters and a lot of pressure seems to be off us now that we are guaranteed a spot in states, but we’re not settling with just that win. We want to make a run at a district title now.” Tamaqua head coach Jimmy Barron

Class 3A Semifinals

No. 1 Palmerton (16-6) vs. No. 4 Panther Vy. (11-11)

TIP OFF: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Pleasant Valley High School

COACHES: Palmerton - Ken Termini (4th season); Panther Valley - Patrick Crampsie (18th season)

LEADING SCORERS: Palmerton - Kody Kratzer (21.00 ppg), Justin Hosier (18.44), Owen Buck (6.74); Panther Valley - Brandon Stilitino (13.82 ppg), Erick Marcharro (12.00), Aaron Gurierrez (10.73), Blake White (9.73)

GAME NOTES: The two teams haven’t met this season, but have shared some common opponents. Palmerton dropped a season-opening 61-58 decision to Lehighton, while the Panthers defeated the Indians twice: 57-51 and 64-28. The Blue Bombers edged Jim Thorpe by a 52-50 score, while PV lost twice to the Olympians — 43-42 and 51-39. The Panthers haven’t played a competitive game since Feb. 7, and dropped their final four games (and five of their last six). The Blue Bombers last played in the Colonial League quarterfinals, where they dropped a 61-60 decision to eventual league finalist Bangor ... Palmerton won six of their final seven games of the regular season to qualify for the Colonial League tournament for the first time in over a decade ... Coach Crampsie said he treated the long lay off as a two-part system, where the team went back to basics in a camp-style attack during rigorous practice sessions, before committing to game play and scrimmages in the second half. According to Crampsie, the Panthers “are a much better team than we were two weeks ago.” ... The last time the two teams met in the district playoffs was 2000. In that quarterfinal contest, the Blue Bombers defeated the Panthers 84-75 before falling to Notre Dame in the semifinals ... Palmerton defeated Notre Dame in last season’s semifinals, which clinched the district title as the Panthers fell to non-District 11 member New Hope-Solebury in the other semifinal game ... The Panthers’ last win in districts came in 2018, when they defeated Marian 52-49 in the semifinals.

QUOTES: “We have a bunch of film on them, and there’s no other way to say it; Kratzer and Hosier are studs ... We’re concerned with those two. Palmerton, as a team, is long, athletic, amd do a great job on the boards, so we need to focus on limiting their second- and third-chance points. But this should be a great game — two schools with awesome support from their communities. We haven’t had the chance to play in this type of atmosphere, so we’re excited.” — Panther Valley head coach Patrick Crampsie

“We’re more than ready to go. I’m really impressed with the younger guys stepping up, and they’ve really come a long way. None of us want Wednesday night to be the last night for our seniors, so we’re excited for the opportunity to take on a well-coached program like Panther Valley.” — Palmerton head coach Ken Termini

GIRLS

Class 4A Semifinals

No. 3 Tamaqua (19-4) vs. No. 2 Jim Thorpe (22-2)

TIPOFF: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Martz Hall.

COACHES: Tamaqua – Erika Davis; Jim Thorpe - Rob Kovac

LEADING SCORERS: Tamaqua – Tamaqua - Emma Kuczynski (22.9), Emily Titus (15.3), Jamie Zuber (5.0), Sophia Boyle (4.4), Jen Frederickson (3.8); Jim Thorpe - Leila Hurley (16.4 ppg), Skyler Searfoss (15.1), Olivia Smelas (12.7), Mackenzie Yuhas (5.8), Leah Snisky (3.6).

GAME NOTES ... It marks the second straight season that Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua have met up in the District 11 Class 4A semifinals. A year ago, it was the Olympians who advanced to the championship game with a 42-27 win. The Olympians’ Skyler Searfoss scored 19 points in that game, while Olivia Smelas added 12 points. Emma Kuczynski was the lone Blue Raider in double digits with 12 points … The Olympians have won the last five meetings between the two teams, including a pair of regular season games this season. The Olympians won 67-61 on Dec. 21 and 54-42 on Jan. 23 … The last time the Blue Raiders knocked off the Olympians was during the 2017-2018 regular season. Back then, they scored a regular season sweep of the Olympians … The two teams are very familiar with each other. Kovac said the Raiders have a pair of stars in Kuczynski and Titus, but they have a number of other key players that fly under the radar. “They have willing role players, and you have to credit them. In this day of age, where everyone wants to be a “me” player, Tamaqua has kids who are willing to accept their roles. You can see that. Boyle comes in and defends, Zuber kind of orchestrates the offense, they have a number of players who know their roles. They have two 1,000-point scorers on their team. Yet, they all play really well together, and accept their roles” … Tamaqua coach Davis knows a lot about the Olympians too. “Hurley, Searfoss and Smelas work so well together. They have a good pick-n-roll action where they read each other very well. They have a nice high-low action. All three of them have different styles, but they all complement each other very well. Those three are extremely hard to guard.”

QUOTABLE ... “It’s the third time this season, and the sixth time in two years. So, obviously the familiarity is still there. The margin of error, the difference between us knowing we have won those games, and Tamaqua has lost those games, is no more than a play or two here and there. We are aware of that. We’re two very even teams. We know each other’s personnel extremely well. It probably comes down to who plays better, who executes, and who makes the least number of mistakes.” – Jim Thorpe head coach Rob Kovac.

QUOTABLE ... “I’m just excited. Everybody in our communities — both Tamaqua and Jim Thorpe — know it’s going to be a good game. We’re just excited that we get another chance to play against them. We believe it’s going to come down to the final buzzer to see who comes out on top.” – Tamaqua head coach Erika Davis.

Class 3A Semifinals

No. 4 Northern Lehigh (10-12) vs.

No. 1 Notre Dame-Green Pond (21-1)

TIP OFF: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at Northampton

COACHES: Northern Lehigh – Ken Shankweiler; NDGP - Josh Kopp

LEADING SCORERS: Northern Lehigh – Emma Niebell (10.82 ppg), Madison Seier (8.14), Lauren Hoffman (6.50), Kaylee Wilk (4.82); NDGP – Cassie Murphy (17.0 ppg), Antonia Bates (10.0), Reagan Cooper (9.5).

GAME NOTES ... It’s been a long three weeks off, but Northern Lehigh doesn’t care. The Bulldogs are just glad to be back in the district playoffs for the first time since 2012. It was a goal of Bulldogs’ head coach Ken Shankweiler since Day One to get his program back to postseason play. “It’s definitely nice,” said Shankweiler. “It’s great for the kids. It’s great for the program. And what makes it even nicer is we’re young too” … It’s a tough draw for the Bulldogs though as they match up with the No. 1 seeded Notre Dame of Green Pond — this season’s Colonial League champions. The Bulldogs are familiar with the Crusaders, having dropped a 54-26 decision to them on Jan. 23. In that game, the Bulldogs committed 10 first-quarter turnovers and trailed 20-0 at the outset ... Cassie Murphy and Antonio Bates are the Crusaders top scoring threats. “Murphy is their big. She’s 6-0. She’s got all the moves. We struggle keeping her contained during the regular season,” said Shankweiler. “I think she scored 24 or 25 points on us. So, we need to contain her – at least get her down to 14 or 15 points.”

QUOTABLE: “Look, I’m an honest person. When I talk to my girls, they go into every game knowing what I honestly think we need to do. My goal is to keep this thing within 20 points. My goal is to make Notre Dame work to get to 20. I don’t want to see a 20-0 start. I want to see my girls fight with them. If they get to a 20-point lead, I want it to take them three or four quarters to get there. So, our goal is to be a little bit better in our offensive sets, handle their defensive pressure, and play a little better halfcourt defense ourselves. . If we can do those things, I think we can surprise some people.” – No. Lehigh head coach Ken Shankweiler.

Class 3A Semifinals

No. 3 Palmerton (15-8) vs. No. 2 N. Schuylkill (19-5)

TIP OFF: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at Martz Hall.

COACHES: Palmerton – Dan Beck; North Schuylkill – Rich Wetzel.

LEADING SCORERS: Palmerton – Bethie Morgan (12.7 ppg), Brianna Moore (10.2), Kayla Cincilla (9.0), Reagan Nemeth (6.8); North Schuylkill – Mya Wetzel (10.9 ppg), Sarah Wagner (9.2), Katelynn Himes (8.1), Savannah Gawrylik (6.3), Maddy Wetzel (5.4).

GAME NOTES ... Palmerton has now qualified for the District 11 playoffs three straight years … The Bombers run into the same North Schuylkill program that they played in their semifinal round district playoff game a year ago. Last year, the Bombers earned a 54-47 victory over the Spartans. Beck knows it’s a new year, and a different Spartans team the Bombers will be facing tonight “They’re improved 100-percent,” Beck said. “They added a couple of freshmen. And, I think the kids they had last year are stepping up a lot more this season. So they’re going to be tough.” … The Blue Bombers of the Colonial League and the Spartans of the Schuylkill League, didn’t play this season, but did have several common opponents in the likes of Jim Thorpe, Lehighton and Panther Valley. Palmerton beat the Indians 55-35 on Dec. 6 and Panther Valley 82-47 on Dec. 7. The Bombers dropped a 56-35 setback to the Olympians back on Jan. 24. North Schuylkill had the Indians’ number twice (71-46 and 77-43) and the Panthers once (67-28). The Spartans played Jim Thorpe three times. They dropped their first meeting (60-39). But turned the tables and beat Thorpe in their regular season finale (67-55) and then again in the Schuylkill league championship game (49-46) … The Bombers are not only excited to be back in districts, but they’re excited for another opportunity to play at Martz Hall in Pottsville. “I know the kids just love the fact that we’re going back to Martz,” said Beck. “It’s a great atmosphere, and It’s a great place to showcase what they have accomplished this year.”

QUOTABLE: “It’s a great accomplishment to get to where we are. I think this just shows that the girls are working very hard and they’re putting their time in the gym, and that’s what you need to do to get into district and league playoffs. It was also a nice accomplishment to play leagues this season, as it was the first time in a while for the program. The kids continue to work hard, and they’re enjoying the limelight they’re having right now, so it’s good to see,” – Palmerton head coach Dan Beck.

Class 2A Quarterfinals

No. 5 Marian (14-9) vs. No. 1 Mahanoy Area (18-5)

TIP OFF: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at Martz Hall.

COACHES: Marian – Paul Brutto; Mahanoy Area – Thomas Sheeler

LEADING SCORERS: Marian – Macy Alansky (11.0 ppg), Emily Shaud (11.0), Julia Kreisl (8.7), Ashley Pleban (5.7), Abbey Digris (5.2); Mahanoy Area – Jordan Karmonick (14.9 ppg), Emily Lawrence (9.4), Claudia Clark (12.4), Meghan Macleary (5.5), Cealinn McGroarty (4.8).

GAME NOTES ... Marian advanced to this District 11 Class 2A semifinal game with a 40-27 win over Williams Valley in the quarterfinals. Mahanoy Area, who earned a first-round bye in districts, is looking to put a 64-61 setback to North Schuylkill in the Schuylkill League playoffs behind them … A year ago, the Fillies and Golden Bears played in the Class 2A title game with the Bears posting a 51-37 victory … Both teams compete in Division 3 of the Schuylkill League. They played twice during the regular season with Mahanoy Area winning both games (41-25 and 50-36). Fillies’ mentor Paul Brutto knows his team needs to do some things differently if it hopes to turn around the double-figure setbacks. “In game one, we were up at half, but it just got away from us. But I think the common theme that hurt us in both games was the pace of the game. We have to control the tempo a little better than we have against them. They’ve rushed on offense and we just panicked a little bit and shot too fast.” ... The Fillies don’t have a lot of size so rebounding position and blocking out have been a huge necessity for them all season long. Brutto said Mahanoy Area isn’t a team with a lot of size either, but they beat the Fillies on the boards in the two earlier games and that’s something he feels his team needs to turn around Wednesday.

QUOTABLE: “Even though it is a big game, you don’t want to get too hyped up about it. It’s a big rivalry game between both schools. You just got to be all about controlled aggressiveness, which might be the best way of putting it. You just got to be ready to take it to the other team. But yet not be too tight so you’re able to perform at your best level. We have to find that blend of aggressiveness, but still play controlled and poised. In the earlier games, they just kind of got us out of whack in terms of poise and patience. So we need that perfect blend of aggressiveness and poise this time.” – Marian head coach Paul Brutto.