Cedar Cliff 42 Hempfield 40: wrap

Written by: Dell Jackson on February 25, 2022

Cedar Cliff 42 Hempfield 40
6A Quarter finals
Feb. 25, 2022

One would figure that the battle of these 2 teams would be a low scoring, gritty, and, in this case, some bloody instances. Cedar Cliff (21-4) won the Mid Penn Tournament last week and beat Muhlenberg this week by hitting 2 fouls down by one by BIG man, 6’9” sn, Tyler Houser. Houser would again play a big role in tonight’s game – a game leading 17 points plus over 10 boards..and 7/8 from the line. Hempfield was coming off a tough loss in the LL finals by a late three ball. The winner would get a game with top seeded Reading – they smacked down rival Wilson: 68-45.

The Colts would arrange their defense to limit Hempfield’s Miguel Pena. Trenton Smith, 6’ sn, drew the assignment of guarding Pena. He was in total denial most of the first half. The Colts did switch to a 2-3 zone, which seemed to throw the Hempfield Knights flow into funk. Cedar cliff would start the scoring with 2 foul shots by Tyler Houser. The Knights would take a 5-2 lead at the 3:52 mark, only to see the Colts big back line – Tyler Houser, brother Justin houser , 6’10” sops, and Mike Armanini, 6’5” sn. Coach Tigh Savercool would rotate his bigs- sometimes only one big on the floor at a time, sometimes the brother combo, using a high low post up offense. The Colts glue guy, Charlie Warner, 5’11’sn, would nail a three ball around the 2 minute mark to give the Colts a lead that they would not give up until late in the game. Smith would score on a drive to end the first quarter- 13-8 Cliff.

Early in the second, we had a blood stoppage. Cole Overbaugh had a major bloody nose- leaving traces on the floor. After some cleanup by AD, Steve Polonis, the game proceeded. Cedar Cliff used its inside/outside game to build a 20-8 lead at the 4:23 causing Danny Walck to call a timeout. Hempfield would garner points from Michael Hester, a three ball by Ben Troyer, and a drive by Chase Calabretta, 6’3” jn.. However the Knights could not string any runs together. Tyler Houser would answer with 3 power moves in the post. The Colts took a 27-15 lead into the half.

Hempfield has a history this season of getting behind and making a big run late in the game. Tonight would be no different. The Knights turned up the defense, started to control the boards, and put together 2 runs: 6-0 and 7-0 keyed by 2 jumpers by Pena. 31-28 late, but Tyler Houser would hit a bounce around jumper form the foul line to give the Colts a 33-28 lead after 3.

How do teams make a quick comeback? Why the three ball of course. Ben Troyer, Miguel Pena, and Michael Hester all connected from distance- the last one gave the Knights a lead at 37-35 . Now the crowd was back in the game: big time. Tyler Houser made one of 2 foul shots to tie it up. Calabretta made one of 2 fouls- Hempfield up 1 with 4:23 tom go. The Colts ran a sweet back door play resulting in an Ayden Frey, 5’11” jn, layup. . The knights could not answer. Cedar Cliff ran some clock up by 1. Hempfield countered with some scrambling defense- they had one opportunity at 41 ticks but a tie-up was called- Colts ball. Wagner got fouled and nailed a one-plus: 41-38. Pena scored on a drive with 15 ticks left. 41-40. The Knights fouled Sam Grube. He made the first and missed the second setting up a last play for the Knight. Hempfield ran some offense and wound up with a tough drive at the end that bounced off the rim- Final 42-40.

Points:
Hempfield: Ben Troyer 13, Miguel Pena 9
Cedar Cliff: Tyler Houser 17, Charlie Wagner 10

Stats: Unofficial
Reobunds: Hempfield 11, Cedar Cliff 16
Turnovers: Hempfield 4, Cedar Cliff 4
Key Stat: Cedar Cliff shot 10/12 from the line.

Sideline…Nice crowd at Hempfield- late arriving…Hempfield will host Wilson next week in a consolation game. The Knights need to win one game in the losers brackets to qualify for the  PIAA tournament….Cedar Cliff will play Reading in a semi final game. Then other bracket will have Warwick visiting Central Dauphin….Enjoy some images from Mark 22!