Kehler on Hoops: Middletown 57 Bishop McDevitt 44

Written by: Dell Jackson on February 25, 2022

MIDDLETOWN AREA DEFEATS BISHOP MCDEVITT 57-44

Middletown area easily defeated visiting Bishop McDevitt, 57-44, in a PIAA District 3 Class 4A playoff quarterfinal on Thursday night. With the win, Middletown Area captured a spot in next month’s PIAA Class 4A state championship tournament. Bishop McDevitt still has a chance to qualify for the PIAA state championship tournament, depending on their future performance in the District 3 consolation round.

Middletown’s key to victory was domination of the boards, as they out rebounded McDevitt 40 to 26 on Thursday night. Very little zone defense was played in the game, and the tempo of the contest was on the deliberate side, particularly by McDevitt.

The game was close throughout the first quarter, with one tie and five lead changes in the frame. It was obvious from the early going that McDevitt’s offensive firepower was concentrated primarily in three players, 6′ 3″ senior Tristen Waters, 6′ 2″ Tyshawn Russell, and 5′ 10″ junior Brandon Keith. McDevitt was often in a five out half court set, but their outside shooting was not particularly effective in this game. Middletown seemed a bit quicker, and their senior spark plug, 5′ 9″ Tate Leach, was effective on fast breaks. In the second quarter, Middletown took the lead for good on a hoop by 5′ 10″ junior Arkel Batts. That basket, which put Middletown ahead 19-18, was the first salvo in a 9-0 Middletown run that continued with a field goal inside by 6′ 1″ senior Ryan Souders, a fast break layup by Tate Leach, a floater by Tate Leach, and a free throw by 6′ 1″ junior Braelan Huber. That made it 26-18, Middletown. McDevitt cut Middletown’s lead to 28-26 at halftime with a seven point run at the end of the second quarter on a three pointer by Waters, a floater by Keith, and a putback by Waters.

Middletown scored the first two field goals of the second half on a pivot move by 6′ 4″ senior Tajae Broadie and a putback by Broadie. Middletown gradually pulled away from that point. Importantly, Middletown out rebounded McDevitt 13 to four in the fourth quarter.

For the game, Middletown had just six turnovers to eight by McDevitt. Middletown was 12 of 19 from the foul line, and McDevitt was eight of 12. Middletown made three three pointers, and McDevitt hit four shots from behind the arc. There were three ties and seven lead changes, all of them in the first half.

Middletown Area scoring: Tate Leach 15, Arkel Batts 11, Tajae Broadie 10, Tyson Leach 7, Bamm Appleby 6, Braelan Huber 4, and Ryan Souders 4.

Bishop McDevitt scoring: Tristen Waters 16, Brandon Keith 9, Tyshawn Russell 7, Rico Scott 6, Jordyn Bowers 4, and Jacobi Tate 2.

Bishop McDevitt 12 14 10 8-44
Middletown Area 15 13 16 13-57

The PIAA District 3 Class 4A playoffs continue on Monday. Middletown Area with play at Trinity in one semifinal, while Bishop McDevitt will host Boiling Springs in a consolation round game.

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