LORETTO — When the lights went out with 1 minute, 12 seconds left in overtime of Saturday’s District 6 Class AA title game, Westmont Hilltop coach Dave Roman Jr. had two theories.
“I thought Blairsville shot the lights out because they were making everything,” Roman said after his team’s 68-60 overtime victory against the Bobcats.
“It actually helped us because we were out of timeouts. I’m thinking one of our students may have hit the switch,” Roman added, laughing. The game was delayed 10 minutes after the lights at DeGold Arena apparently overheated.
The Hilltoppers coach finally could relax after the upstart Bobcats (23-4) overcame a 10-point deficit to force overtime against undefeated Westmont (28-0).
Westmont will play the District 7 seventh-place team in the PIAA playoffs. Hilltop has won 6-AA titles in 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2007 while appearing in six of the past nine championship games.
Blairsville won last year’s 6-A crown before moving up a class.
Hilltop led 36-26 after a Jordan DeMarco 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. But Blairsville had a 13-2 run to lead 39-38 after Andy Ostach’s basket with 59.2 showing.
“We got away from what was working,” Roman said. “The problem was we were going inside to start the second half, and Zack Trotz was either scoring or getting dribble penetration, then for some reason we were trying to shoot jump shots. I said, ‘Guys, you built a 10-point lead going inside. Why are we shooting jumpers?’
“We got the time out and kept going back inside. We got the lead up again and built a cushion, but Blairsville is such a great offensive team with a lot of firepower.”
Blairsville held leads of 49-48, 51-50 and 53-52 late in the fourth. Hilltop tied the score at 53-all on an Adam Watson free throw with 1:58 left in regulation.
After two missed free throws by the Bobcats’ Brett Gunder, Westmont ran down most of the final 1:33, working for the last shot. But a turnover with 2.9 left led to OT.
In overtime, Watson made a conventional three-point play seven seconds in to put Hilltop on the way to a 15-7 scoring advantage.
“The key was getting a good start and trying to score first in the overtime,” Roman said.
Trotz had 16 points and eight rebounds for Westmont.
“Teams know about Joey Stephenson and Joe Balog and the outside 3,” Trotz said. “The last few games that’s freed up looks for me. They’ve been getting me the ball in good positions and I’ve been finishing the shots.”
Joey Stephenson (15 points), Watson (12) and David Young (10) also hit double digits.
Cory Manarelli had 20 and Ostach, 17, for Blairsville.
“We played 36 minutes of basketball and everybody got their money’s worth tonight,” Blairsville coach Jason Stone. “I told the kids to keep their heads high.”
High School Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Hilltop boys claim 6-AA
- High School Sports
-
-
High School Basketball in Brief
-
[VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
Jarod Feathers didn’t necessarily see this moment coming four years ago.
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Tuesday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Monday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
Mifflin County bests Westmont Hilltop in District 6 Class AAA semis
Mifflin County finished Saturday’s District 6 Class AAA semifinal with a flourish – both in the dual meet and individual matches – on the way to a 36-26 victory over Westmont Hilltop.
-
Bedford captures District 5 crown
Michael Brett is known for his ability to lock up a cross-face cradle.
-
[VIDEO] Bishop McCort avenges earlier loss to Richland
Bishop McCort’s girls were looking for a little payback for an earlier loss that they had suffered at Laurel Highlands Section 2 rival Richland.
It was mission accomplished for the Crimson Crushers on Friday night as McCort held off the Rams for a physical 47-43 victory. -
Westy set to face Mifflin County at District 6 meet
Westmont Hilltop coach Matt Beaujon takes pride in having his wrestling team well-prepared heading into a dual meet.
-
Quality, depth make this a banner year in D-5
Bill Creps heard the comments about District 5 wrestling: Sub-par. Spotty. Unable to compete with the big boys.
So did Jan Clark.
And while both former coaches are officially retired, they can still be found regularly at high school gymnasiums around the state. But they’re no longer hearing whispers or snickers about the quality of District 5 wrestlers, and it’s not because of any hearing loss. -
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Friday night's boys and girls high school basketball games:
- More High School Sports Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
