H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL: Hurricanes season ended by Delone Catholic in PIAA 2A state playoff opener
· Yahoo Sports
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The Hurricanes didn’t have an answer against Delone Catholic when they found themselves in the PIAA Class 2A state playoffs for the second time in the last three years.
Schuylkill Haven (17-9) fell behind early when they couldn’t convert underneath the basket for a 77-46 loss after winning the District 11 2A Championship over Tri-Valley just last week.
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“We have nothing to be ashamed of because we set out a goal to win the district championship and we accomplished that goal,” Schuylkill Haven’s Justin Watcher said. “Hosting a state playoff game is a great learning experience and I’m happy to return with almost the exact same team.”
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Schuylkill Haven’s Max Heim (35) goes up againstDelone Catholic’s Griffin Collins (35) during the home game Saturday March 7, 2026. Submitted Photo
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Schuylkill Haven’s Brady Kelly (13)) and Max Heim (35) go up for the rebound during the home game against Delone Catholic Saturday March 7, 2026. Submitted Photo
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Schuylkill Haven’s Justin Watcher (21) shoots a three during the home game against Delone Catholic Saturday March 7, 2026. Submitted Photo
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Schuylkill Haven’s Paris Shafe (25) gets tangled up with Delone Catholic’s Liam O’Brien (5) during the home game Saturday March 7, 2026. Submitted Photo
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Schuylkill Haven’s Max Heim (35) goes up againstDelone Catholic’s Griffin Collins (35) during the home game Saturday March 7, 2026. Submitted Photo
Delone Catholic (24-1) advances to the second round of the PIAA 2A state playoffs to take on the winner of the Constitution vs. Church Farm School matchup next Wednesday, March 11 at a site and time to be announced.
The Hurricanes were shut down underneath the basket and held to just one-of-10 shooting from inside the arc in the first half while being outscored by 15 points before halftime. Luke Rebert scored 12 points in each of the first and second halves to lead the Crusaders with 24 points.
“When you look at the shot charts from the first half to the second half they had a lot more shots around the basket and completely dominated the lane,” Schuylkill Haven coach Fran Murphy said. “They kept us to one shot so credit to them for hurting us inside and rebounding well.”
Schuylkill Haven also ran into trouble snatching offensive rebounds as Colin Redding and Rebert brought in a combined 26 rebounds to lead Delone Catholic around the basket.
“Being as long as they are it was trouble underneath the basket and we had to be really careful with our passes,” Murphy said. “They’re long and even when we got the ball in the paint it affected our shooting.”
Justin Watcher led Schuylkill Haven with 18 points, Max Heim scored 13 points and Alan Evans scored six points.
Chase Martin had a steal and full court layup as well as a three-pointer to put Delone Catholic ahead 7-0 just over two minutes into the game. Liam O’Brien and Zeke Vandergrift each hit three’s for the 15-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“They play great team basketball and none of those guys are very selfish and they worked the ball to their best players,” Watcher said. “The stars are going to score and nobody took a selfish shot which is what it takes to advance in the state playoffs.”
Vandergrift posted a layup to put Delone Catholic ahead 21-7 just over a minute into the second quarter. Reber hit a three and the Crusaders took a 27-10 lead midway through the second quarter.
Schuylkill Haven brought the deficit within 29-19 after three-pointers from Heim, Watcher and Kelly for the 10-point difference with three minutes left in the first half.
“I thought we played well at times, we played together and got good looks and sometimes shots just don’t fall,” Watcher said. “Hats off to my teammates and both teams played a great game.”
Martin nailed a three and Griffin Collins banked in a layup to stretch Delone Catholic’s lead back to double-figures at 34-19.
Watcher closed out the first half by sinking a pair of three’s for the Hurricanes for the 40-25 halftime deficit.
“When the shots aren’t falling in the paint I’m always the guy Alan is looking for so when he drives, my teammates trust me to his those shots,” Watcher said. “It felt really good to make the state tournament.”
The Hurricanes opened the second half with Evans and Watcher each hitting three’s to bring the deficit within 47-35. Liam O’Brien heaved in a three-pointer to put Delone Catholic back ahead 54-35 before the Crusaders took a 57-39 lead at the end of the third.
The Crusaders didn’t let up in the fourth quarter, going on a 20-7 scoring run, as Rebert scored eight points and Will Smith hit a three for the 77-46 victory.
DC (24-1);15;25;17;20;—77
SH (17-9);5;20;14;7;—46
Delone Catholic 77 — Smith 2 0-0 5, Livelsberger 0 0-0 0, Nico Scamardella 0 0-0 0, O’Brien 4 0-0 10, Martin 3 0-0 8, Collins 6 1-1 13, Wilson 0 0-0 0, Redding 4 0-0 8, Rebert 10 3-3 24, Vandergrift 4 0-0 9, Boseck 0 0-0 0, Neyra 0 0-0 0, Staub 0 0-0 0, Taylor 0 0-0 0, Hoey 0 0-0 0. 33 4-4 77.
Schuylkill Haven 46 — Evans 2 0-0 6, Diehl 1 0-0 2, Kelly 2 0-0 5, Watcher 6 2-2 18, Heim 4 2-2 13, Shaff 0 0-0 0, Lucas 0 0-0 0, Tracey 0 0-0 0, Hannersnitz 0 0-0 0, Shappell 1 0-0 2, Krammes 0 0-0 0, Bayer 0 0-0 0, Fanelli 0 0-0 0, Fikert 0 0-0 0, Stiney 0 0-0 0, Martin 0 0-0 0, Ruzowski 0 0-0 0. 15 4-4 46.
3-FG: Watcher 4, Heim 3, Evans 2, O’Brien 2, Martin 2, Kelly, Smith, Rebert, Vandergrift