Cocalico’s State Travels Hit Familiar Roadblock In Chartiers Valley As Colts Eliminate Eagles In PIAA-5A Tournament For Second Consecutive Season (Kehler On Hoops)

Written by: Andy Herr on March 11, 2026

Article by David Kehler

Cocalico’s fine season came to an end on Tuesday afternoon in Altoona in a PIAA Class 5A state championship tournament second round game, as the Eagles were defeated 64-25 by western Pennsylvania power Chartiers Valley. With a pressing, fast breaking style of play, Chartiers Valley had too much firepower for Cocalico.

Chartiers Valley scored the game’s first 14 points on a pivot move by 6’ 5” sophomore Luca Federico, a 3-pointer by 6’ 2” senior Jake Lewis, a 3-pointer by Federico, a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” senior Logan Helfrick, and another 3-pointer by Lewis. During this sequence, Cocalico committed three turnovers and missed several shots. Cocalico got on the scoreboard when 6’ senior Luke Waas powered inside the Chartiers Valley defense for a score, but the western Pennsylvania squad then raced to a 22-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chartiers Valley scored five times from beyond the arc in the first frame, while Cocalico committed five turnovers in the first period.

Chartiers Valley was bigger and quicker than Cocalico, and Cocalico’s offense never got going against the Chartiers Valley pressing defense. The Cocalico players tried hard, but they fell out of contention in the second quarter.

The second half of the game had a looser feel to it, and Cocalico did much better after the break.

Chartiers Valley is the champion of PIAA District 7 and one of the leading contenders for the Class 5A state championship later this month. They have great cohesion, a superb defensive scheme, and multiple offensive weapons. Five of their players scored in double figures versus Cocalico. It will take an extraordinarily strong team to defeat Chartiers Valley in the state championship tourney. Chartiers Valley has just two losses this season, by a combined nine points, and they later avenged one of those losses. In an article posted in this space on March 5, Chartiers Valley was projected to advance to the Class 5A state championship game.

Cocalico finishes a wonderful season with a 20-8 record. For seniors Timmy Hambright, Luke Waas, and Ty Wealand, this was a tough way to end their high school careers. Looking to next season, four Cocalico juniors played well and extensively in the playoffs: Ethan Stradling, Karter Deering, Jackson Matos, and Josh Becker.

For the game, Chartiers Valley out rebounded Cocalico 29 to 19. Chartiers Valley committed eight turnovers, while Cocalico had 13 miscues. Chartiers Valley made six of 10 free throw attempts, and Cocalico was six of 12. Chartiers Valley made eight 3-pointers, and Cocalico scored three times from beyond the arc. Five different Chartiers Valley players made at least one 3-pointer.

Cocalico scoring: Timmy Hambright 11, Ethan Stradling 5, Karter Deering 3, Luke Waas 3, and Josh Becker 3.