Kehler on Hoops: PANTHER VALLEY DEFEATS MARIAN CATHOLIC 71-64
Written by: Dell Jackson on December 29, 2021
PANTHER VALLEY DEFEATS MARIAN CATHOLIC 71-64
Panther Valley defeated visiting Marian Catholic 71-64 in a contest between two PIAA District 11 teams. The game was close in the early going, with three ties in the first quarter. Panther Valley took the lead at the beginning of the second frame and expanded their margin to 11 points early in the third quarter. Marian Catholic launched a 9-0 run spanning the latter part of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, capped by a long 3 pointer by 6′ 1″ sophomore Julius Currie to take a 50-49 lead. The teams then traded leads three times in quick succession, with Panther Valley capturing the lead for good at 53-52 on a hoop that ignited a six point run. With 4:30 left in the game, Marian Catholic closed the gap to 57-55 on a pair of free throws by 6′ 5″ senior Brendan Lonergan. Panther Valley pulled away from that point with an 11-4 run and cruised to victory.
These squads are in different divisions of the Schuylkill League. Panther Valley is in PIAA’s 3A classification, while Marian Catholic is a 2A team. There is a lot to like about both of these squads. Panther Valley had the better of the outside shooting in this contest. Marian Catholic played a high post offense and sometimes also had a player in the low post. While Longergan was typically the high post player, Currie and 6′ 4″ senior Jose Espaillat Turbi also either flashed or rotated into post spots. Panther Valley used mostly five out sets, and they moved the ball well. Panther Valley’s ball handling was terrific in the first half, with only two turnovers in the game’s first 16 minutes. Chase Weaver, a 5′ 10″ sophomore, and Drew Kokinda, also a sophomore, were nice ball handlers. Panther Valley’s Mike Pascoe, a 6′ 3″ junior, was tough inside. However, Marian Catholic’s Lonergan was the outstanding player in the game.
On defense, the teams played switching man-to-man. While Panther Valley picked up the dribbler in the back court, neither used much defensive pressure. These teams might want to consider playing defense with greater intensity.
Panther Valley decisively out rebounded Marian Catholic, 38 to 29. Panther Valley had 15 offensive rebounds to Marian Catholic’s 14 defensive rebounds. Panther Valley committed 11 turnovers to eight by Marian Catholic. Six Panther Valley turnovers in the third quarter contributed to Marian Catholic’s surge in that frame. Panther Valley was 20 of 30 from the free throw line, while Marian Catholic was 13 of 20.
Marian Catholic 12 13 20 19-64
Panther Valley 12 20 17 22-71
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