Berlin Brothersvalley rallies past Linville Hill in 1A semifinal for trip to Hershey

Adam Ripple, The Daily American
·4 min read

CHAMBERSBURG -- For the second time in two years, Berlin Brothersvalley will play in a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball championship game.

Berlin rallied from a first-quarter deficit to knock off previously unbeaten Linville Hill Christian 63-45 on Monday at Chambersburg High School to earn a trip to Hershey.

"These guys are all willing to sacrifice their bodies. They're all willing to take a charge, dive on the floor and do whatever it takes to help this team win," said Berlin veteran coach Tanner Prosser. "That's the biggest part of it because it gives you a chance to be successful. When you know everybody that you put out there is going to give everything they have, it gives you some confidence as a coach."

Finding a way to winMercy, Mercy: Sechler's late bucket sends Berlin Brothersvalley to 1A semifinals

Berlin (26-2) has not trailed much during its torrid run through competition in the PIAA playoffs. But the Mountaineers found themselves down 10-4 after the Warriors went on a 6-0 run in the first.

Berlin Brothersvalley’s Caden Montgomery (12) and Pace Prosser (22) come to the bench late in the Mountaineers' 63-45 win over Linville Hill Christian in a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.
Berlin Brothersvalley’s Caden Montgomery (12) and Pace Prosser (22) come to the bench late in the Mountaineers' 63-45 win over Linville Hill Christian in a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.

However, Berlin junior Pace Prosser, who poured in a game-high 26 points to go along with 10 rebounds, knocked down a late three to cut the deficit to 12-11 after one.

Milestone nightJarvis surpasses 1,000; Berlin Brothersvalley hammers Phil-Mont Christian in 1A quarters

The District 5 champs settled into the game and opened up the second quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 20-14 advantage.

Berlin never trailed again.

Linville Hill (25-1), the District 3 champs, responded with a 6-0 spurt of its own to tie the game at 20 apiece.

Prosser had the answer with a 3-point play to give the Mountaineers the lead for good. Berlin took a 32-27 lead into the locker room. Prosser notched 18 points in the half.

"Our mindset is that we will play anybody, anywhere, anytime, and we think we can win," Pace Prosser said. "This group ... everybody is relentless. We show up every day and work hard at practice and in games. The bench guys get us ready for the upcoming games. This is all just really exciting."

Berlin Brothersvalley’s Ryan Blubaugh goes to the basket between Linville Hill Christian defenders Daniel King and Stephen Smucker (32) during a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.
Berlin Brothersvalley’s Ryan Blubaugh goes to the basket between Linville Hill Christian defenders Daniel King and Stephen Smucker (32) during a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.

Senior Ryan Blubaugh headlined an 11-4 output from the Mountaineers in the third with a fancy up-and-under, where he was fouled. Blubaugh converted the 3-point play to give Berlin a 43-31 advantage with 2:10 left in the quarter. He finished the game with nine points and six rebounds.

Berlin outscored Linville Hill 13-8 in the third for a 45-35 lead after three.

"The kids have the right mindset. They trust each other," Coach Prosser said. "They trust what they're doing. When you have that, when things get a little shaky, you're able to do things right and make up for your mistakes."

Berlin outclassed Linville Hill in the fourth. Junior Craig Jarvis, who finished with 19 points on the night, stroked two threes to give the Mountaineers a commanding 53-37 lead, early in the quarter. The Mountaineers tallied the final seven points of the game to set the final and punch its ticket to Hershey, a place they planned on being all season long.

Berlin Brothersvalley’s Craig Jarvis reacts after a fourth-quarter three-pointer to give the Mountaineers a 50-37 lead, forcing Linville Hill Christian coach Mike Schatzmann to quickly call a timeout during a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.
Berlin Brothersvalley’s Craig Jarvis reacts after a fourth-quarter three-pointer to give the Mountaineers a 50-37 lead, forcing Linville Hill Christian coach Mike Schatzmann to quickly call a timeout during a PIAA Class 1A boys basketball semifinal, March 20, in Chambersburg.

"(I'm) so thankful to the community for the support, so thankful to my coaching staff, all the former players who come in and stay in touch and the support we get from the school district," Coach Prosser said. "It's just a great group of 14 kids who do everything that we ask and sacrifice for each other. It's extremely enjoyable, and I'm just really happy for those kids over there with the big smiles on their faces."

Berlin, which finished state runners-up in 2021, will take on District 7 champion Imani Christian, a 72-40 winner over Union Area, in the Class 1A championship at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

The Mountaineers fell to the Saints 79-70 in the first round of the state playoffs a season ago. Berlin lost only one senior from that squad which will bring a bevy of confidence into the title tilt.

"Our guys are focused on the task at hand," Coach Prosser said. "We want to have two good days of practice and go win another basketball game. We want to keep our same mindset, which is to win every basketball game that we play. We get to play one more. We're going to go try and win it."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin downs previously unbeaten Linville Hill for trip to Hershey