Blazers’ run to repeat ends in state quarterfinals
Written by: TJ Eck on March 16, 2024
Lancaster Mennonite’s bid to repeat as state champion came to an end Saturday afternoon.
The Blazers suffered a 69-38 loss to Constitution in the PIAA Class 2A state quarterfinals at Norristown High School.
“I am just so frustrated with myself and disappointed for our guys,” said Lancaster Mennonite head coach Jeff Hartenstine. “I know, on the right day, we could’ve fought those guys and given them a much better battle. Today just wasn’t our day.”
The Generals led by seven after one quarter of play and took control of the game with a 13-1 run in the second quarter. Constitution held a 34-19 advantage at halftime and cruised in the second half, producing a running clock early in the fourth quarter.
Constitution’s athleticism caused problems for Lancaster Mennonite throughout the contest. The Generals displayed quickness in getting to the basket on offense while forcing the Blazers into tough shots and registering multiple blocks on defense.
“As much as that started giving them energy, it started just sucking our energy,” said Hartenstine. “We just looked like a deflated group there in the second half…(Constitution) is an incredibly impressive group. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if they end up being the state champ.”
Constitution was led in scoring by senior forward Amir Speights, who finished with 21 points. Senior guard Kyree Latimer logged 19 points and five rebounds while fellow senior guard Perry Fields posted an impressive stat line: 16 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks.
The Generals improve to 25-6 overall and advance to the state semifinals where they will play Holy Cross next Tuesday.
Lancaster Mennonite, the reigning PIAA Class 2A state champion, sees its season end in the state quarterfinals. Senior Jadyn Taylor logged a double-double in his final game with 13 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore Cody Fisher scored 10 points and blocked a pair of shots Saturday afternoon.
The Blazers finish the campaign with a 19-9 overall record in Hartenstine’s first season as head coach.
“Not a lot of people knew what we were going to do as far as in (Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4), as far as in districts,” said Hartenstine. “Because we are kind of young.”
Key seniors Myles Halverson, Caleb Binkley, and Taylor move on from a team that claimed the 2A District 3 title and earned an L-L League playoff berth. But the future is bright. LMHS started three sophomores during the 2023-2024 season: Fisher, Chase Hurst, and Bill Rothwein. Meanwhile fellow sophomore Brady Grau and junior Asaad Salim also played key minutes off the bench.
“Very excited about the future,” said Hartenstine. “They’re all workers. All those guys want to work…great group that’s leaving, hopefully this young group that has all this potential puts it together. That would be awesome.”
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