Sunday, February 26, 2023

BOYS BASKETBALL: Pottsville Eliminates North Schuylkill to Move onto 4A District Semifinals


The saying goes, it's tough to beat a team three times in a season, but what about four times?

Friday's District XI Quarterfinal matchup at Blue Mountain was North Schuylkill and Pottsville's 4th time playing each other this season and North Schuylkill won the first three meetings.

This time was different though, they were meeting on neutral ground.

For the first two minutes of this game, both teams were scoreless until North Schuylkill made the first basket.  For the remainder of the first half, the game was close with Pottsville holding only a 2-point lead at halftime.

Pottsville came out in the 3rd quarter with something to prove and they weren't going to lose a 4th time this season.  The Crimson Tide took advantage of the Spartans missed baskets and turnovers and held a 12-point lead halfway through the third.  By the beginning of the 4th quarter, Pottsville held a 48-33 lead.

Nothing would fall for the Spartans, and it was Pottsville moving on with a 57-41 win and redemption for their other three losses.

The Spartans finish their season 20-5.

Pottsville moves on to face Allentown Central Catholic at Whitehall on Tuesday in the District XI Class 4A Semifinals.