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Greater Johnstown’s Quayshawn Thompson (20) grabs a rebound over Huntingdon’s Jeremy Posey during the District 6 Class AAA title game on Wednesday night in Altoona. Jason Sipes/For The Tribune-Democrat
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Johnstown boys shut down Huntingdon for championship
ALTOONA — Johnstown’s defensive effort in Wednesday’s District 6 Class AAA championship victory over Huntingdon might not have been as flashy as an offensive outburst that included six 3-pointers, two convincing dunks and one fast break after another.
But make no mistake, the Trojans’ “D” played more than a minor role in a 72-54 romp.
Third-seeded Johnstown (21-3) successfully defended its 6-AAA crown. Fifth-seeded Huntingdon is 15-10.
“We preach playing defense and playing as a team,” first-year Trojans head coach Neil Cobaugh said. “These kids get after it. That’s what these kids like to do.
“That’s big for us – to bring the tempo and force the tempo. We got out early and got a big lead on them. We did a nice job to finish the game out.”
The Trojans led 23-10 after one quarter and 44-24 at halftime.
Johnstown’s biggest margin was 22 points – on two occasions, 42-20 and 44-22.
“We just were able to play good defense,” said Johnstown junior guard Cliff Eddins, who had 23 points, two monster dunks and three 3-pointers.
“We’ve been practicing good defense all year long.
“Coach said that if we went into this game and played good defense we’d come out with a championship. Defense wins championships. That’s what we did.”
Johnstown claimed its 22nd district championship dating back to the 1920s. The Trojans have won four times in 6-AAAA and 18 in 6-AAA.
Johnstown has claimed back-to-back crowns for the first time since the program won three straight from 2004-06.
“This means a lot to me, and I’m sure it means a lot to our school to go back-to-back,” Eddins said. “I don’t know the last time we did that. It feels good for the team, for our community and our new coach.”
Ten Trojans cracked the scoring column and 14 players got into the game as Cobaugh substituted liberally in the final quarter.
Senior Quayshawn Thompson had 14 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Isaiah Haselrig had seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
Huntingdon junior forward Jeremy Posey had 10 points, and was the only Bearcat to reach double digits.
“This is an easy job coaching these kids,” Cobaugh said.
“These kids are wonderful. They played their hearts out and they earned this title.”
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