Victory in Hand
Published: March 10, 2010
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share thisFor the fourth straight season, the Old Forge boys’ basketball team won the PIAA District 2 Class A title.
The year didn’t get off to the best start for the Devils, despite a division domination, as the team found improvement along the way.
Thursday’s title game at Pittston Area High School was similar to the regular season, with the team rallying to win 41-37.
“I am happy for our kids,” said Old Forge boys’ basketball coach Al Semenza. “It has been a group that started off not very good in November, but just continued to improve. We told them we have to be there in March. To be down in the first half with our backs to the wall and to rally like they did, I am very proud of them.”
Tony Goodall scored two straight layups, giving Old Forge a 31-28 lead halfway through the fourth quarter. He followed with a three-pointer, making the lead 34-29 with 3:31 left to play.
“We wanted the ball in Tony’s hand,” Semenza said. “He has done a good job making free throws, but all our kids did a good job in the second half.”
With Old Forge holding a slim 36-33 lead with just under a minute left in the game,Goodall was sent to the free throw line. He calmly knocked down two straight free throws, extending the lead to five. MMI scored another basket, cutting the lead back to three points and just one possession game.
Then Goodall was called on again after a steal by Connor Fultz.
Goodall was fouled with 18.6 second remaining and again he nailed both shots making the Old Forge lead 40-35 and more importantly a two possession game.
“I have 16 tough kids and when you have 16 tough kids, you are never out if it,” Semenza said.
Old Forge will now begin play in PIAA Class A state playoffs next Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Sayre at Marywood University. The boys’ win came the night after the Old Forge girls’ basketball team won its third straight PIAA District 2 Class A title.
“I think Old Forge is a very proud sports town and you see that in our basketball program every night,” Semenza said. “Hopefully the girls keep going and hopefully we can get one next Friday.”
