District 10 semifinal boys preview capsules
Mar. 9—BOYS BASKETBALL
TONIGHT'S GAMES
(All games begin 7 p.m.)
Who: Lakeview (12-7) at Kennedy Catholic (20-2).
What: Class 2A.
Lakeview—Hunter Miller, 6-5 Sr. forward (11.1); Isaac Lightcap, 5-11 Sr. 2-guard (9.3); Lane Smith, 6-3 Jr. post (7.2); Gavin Grantham, 5-11 Jr. 2-guard (6.2); Anthony Grim, 6-3 Sr. point guard (5.7); Ted Shillito, 6-2 Jr. post; Calogano Wilkins, 6-0 Jr. guard. Kennedy Catholic—Sky'Ler Thomas, 6-5 Sr. swingman (15.8); Elijah Harden, 5-9 Jr. combo-guard (14.3); DaJaun Young, 6-3 Soph. swingman (12.0); Gio Magestro, 6-0 Jr. 2-guard (9.9); Malachi Owens, 6-5 Soph. forward.
Bonus Shots: The top-seeded Golden Eagles eased to a sweep of the regular-season region series (78-50 in Hermitage; 66-29 at Stoneboro). Thomas (21), Magestro (14) and Young (13) keyed KC in the 1st game, while Thomas (19) and Harden (11) paced the Golden Eagles in the rematch. Lightcap lit up KC for a 21 points in the 1st meeting, but the Sailors did not have a double-digit scorer in the 2nd contest. ... Harden (47) and Magestro (46) have served as scoring threats from the 3-point arc. For interim-Coach Ryan Anderton, Harden had a half-dozen in the Golden Eagles' 75-50 opening-round rout of Reynolds. Magestro made 5 on two separate occasions. ... KC's lone losses occurred back on Dec. 11, 2020 at New Castle (89-71) and at 2-time D-10 Class 4A champion Hermitage (60-51). Kennedy Catholic claimed wins at Franklin (92-91, 2-OT), at Meadville (73-64) and at Sharpsville (56-54). ... KC has captured 27 District 10 crowns, including a pair in Class 2A (1978 and 1991). ... Third-year Sailors' skipper Garrett Blaschak (49-26) led Lakeview to the 2020 D-10 Class 2A crown (55-54, 2-OT, over Farrell) and a 2nd straight PIAA playoffs berth. ... Lakeview outlasted Saegertown (45-36) in the quarterfinals. ... The 4th-seeded Sailors have been led by the consistent double-digit scoring of Miller (12), Lightcap (7), Smith (6) and Grantham (5). ... The stingy Sailors yield just 41.3 ppg.; conversely, Kennedy Catholic collects a District 10-best 75.9 ppg. — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
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What: Mercyhurst Prep (11-12) at Sharpsville (14-9).
What: 3A.
Sharpsville—Jackson Doyle, 6-0 Sr. combo-guard (17.1); Ryan Ladjevich, 6-3 Sr. combo-guard (12.2); James Thomas, 6-5 Jr. post (10.6); Mack Staunch, 6-5 Jr. post (9.5); Zak Ramsey, 6-0 Sr. swingman; Danny Henwood, 6-0 Sr. swingman; Andrew Frye, 6-2 Soph. forward; Garen Levis, 5-9 Soph. swingman. Mercyhurst Prep— Daunte Wilcott, 6-1 Sr. point guard (17.9); Trey Battle, 6-3 Jr. swingman; Jeffrey Giannelli, 5-10 Sr. guard; Peter Zimmerman, 5-7 Sr. point guard; Damari Ward, 6-1 Sr. swingman; David Bahm, 6-4 Soph. forward; Gino Barretta, 5-10 Soph. guard
Bonus Shots: When the Blue Devils defeated Erie's First Christian Academy (67—57) Doyle drew a share of the school single-game scoring standard (45) with Mercer County Hall-of-Famer Chris Angln (1977). Thomas tallied a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double for 3rd-year Sharpsville skipper Matt Durisko (45-29). The Blue Devils' lone disappointment was the high-ankle sprain sustained in the 2nd stanza by Ladjevich, though he returned late in the game and on the floor at the final buzzer. ... Doyle has drilled 64 triples and 17 double-digit games, followed by Ladjevich (14), Thomas (12) and Staunch (9) in the balanced Blue Devils' offensive attack (outscoring opponents, 57.3 to 51.3). Earlier this season Doyle surpassed the career 1,000-point milestone. ... Prep posted a quarterfinal-round win over North East (57-51) led by the double-digit scoring of Wilcott (18), Battle (16) and Giannelli (13). ... The Lakers allow 50 ppg. and average 49.4. ... Prep is 4-6 on the road this season. — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
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Who: Greenville (11-11) at Franklin (17-6).
What: Class 3A.
Greenville—Benny Cano, 6-5 Sr. swingman (17.7); Landon Bielata, 6-2 Sr. post (10.4); Jalen Ritzert, 6-1 Jr. guard (9.5); Evan Cianci, 6-1 Sr. forward (7.7); Jonah Lentz, 5-10 Sr. guard (6.1); Logan Lentz, 5-11 Soph. swingman; Brady Kincaid, 6-0 Jr. guard; Josh Reeves, 6-0 Sr. guard. Franklin—Easton Fullmer, 6-1 Jr. combo-guard (20.6); Hayden Adams, 6-2 Sr. shooting guard; Cade Adams, 5-11 Sr. guard; Zak Smith, 5-9 Sr. combo-guard; Damon Curry, 6-4 Fr. swingman; Luke Guth, 6-2 Soph. forward; Johnathan Leccia, 6-7 Soph. post.
Bonus Shots: Cano copped the career 1,000-point plateau in a 25-point performance in a win over Slippery Rock (67-58). According to archives at The Herald he has scored 1,203 points. The consistent Cano has scored in double digits 20 times. ... Bielata and Cianci missed 6 and 5 games, respectively. ... Back in the season's 2nd game, host Franklin toppled the Trojans (58-47). Cano (16) and Ritzert (11) led Greenville, while Easton Fulmer (21) and Hayden Adams (17) forged Franklin. Greenville garnered an 18-15 first-quarter lead and the Trojans trailed just 44-39 through 3 quarters before being outscored by Franklin, 14-8, during the 4th frame. A few weeks later at Greenville the visiting Knights knocked off the Trojan (59-57) in OT on Guth's game-winner. Fulmer (17) and Curry (15) forged Franklin, while Bielata (14), Cano (13) and Ritzert (10) led Greenville. ... Scot Vannoy is in his 1st season as Trojans' taskmaster, and 4th-seeded Greenville got by Girard (46-44) in his Blue & Gold playoff debut, paced by Cano (12), Cianci (10) and Ritzert (9) ... The top-seeded Knights of veteran Head Coach Jason Fulmer are led by his son, District 10's 2nd-leading scorer and who has tossed in 64 treys (962 career ponts), as well as the sharpshooting southpaw Hayden Adams. ... Franklin suffered setbacks to Hickory (57-51 in Hermitage, 52-49 in Franklin), Fairview (71-49), Kennedy Catholic, and defending District 10 Class 6A titlist Erie (62-48) and Grove City (69-61). — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
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Who: Warren (17-5) at Hickory (19-3).
What: Class 4A.
Hickory—Peyton Mele, 6-3 Sr. swing-guard (18.1); Connor Evans, 6-5 Sr. post (15.8); Jackson Pryts, 6-5 Jr. forward (8.7); Matt Cannone, 6-0 Sr. point guard (6.9); Joey Fazzone, 6-2 Jr. forward (4.3); Tyler Mele, 6-5 Jr. swing-guard; Nathan Boal, 5-9 Sr. swing-guard. Warren: Ben Berdine, Sr. (17.6); Parks Ordiway, 5-9 Soph. guard; Tommy Nyquist, Fr.; Payton Barnes, Sr.; J.T. Blum, Jr.; Bryce Blair, Jr.
Bonus Shots: Region 4 champion and top-seeded Hickory harvested an opening-round win over Fort LeBoeuf (44-33). The Hornets have hopes for a D-10 3-peat under the direction of 4th-year Head Coach Chris Mele (90-15). Hickory has won 39 consecutive regular-season region games, including back-to-back unbeaten campaigns. ... The Hornets had hopes for a commonwealth crown a year ago, but were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the PIAA's Elite Eight round. ... Peyton Mele has scored in double figures in every outing and has hit on 58 treys, while Evans has added 17 double-digit games. ... The Hornets are outscoring opponents, 59.1 to 43.7, while Warren's nightly norms are 54 and 45.5, respectively. ... Fifth-seeded Warren upset 4th-seeded Fairview — the reigning 3A champion (46-40), led by Ordiway (16), Berdine (10) and Nyquist (9). Ordiway (4) and Nyquist and Barnes (2 each) scored from beyond the arc. The Dragons have drained 99 treys. ... Including its quarterfinal-round win, Hickory is 11-1 at The Hive this season, while Warren is 7-4 on the road. — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
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Who: Grove City (10-7) at Harbor Creek (21-2).
What: Class 4A.
Grove City—Michael Brooks, 6-2 Sr. guard (18.6); Luke Hostetler, 6-2 Sr. forward (9.7); Dylan Stull, 6-0 Jr. point guard (6.9); Sam Norris. 5-9 Sr. guard (6.5); Ben Knouse, 6-3 Sr. forward (6.0); Isaac Criss, 5-11 Sr. swingman; Anthony Pereira, 6-3 Jr. post. Harbor Creek—Sam Howell, 6-3 Sr.; Ryan Whitman, 6-2 Sr.; Casey Smith, 6-1 Sr.; Jaden Rocco, Jr.; Gavin Ennis, Jr.; Cody Smith, Sr.
Bonus Shots: This is a rematch of last season's D-10 semifinals at Meadville Area Senior High's "House of Thrills," where Hostetler hit the game-winning trey for the Eagles (39-37), who advanced to the title tilt, then the PIAA Elite Eight. ... The Region 5 champion and 2nd-seeded Huskies humbled Sharon (70-47) in the quarterfinals, led by a quintet of double-digit scorers in Howell (19), Cody Smith (14), Gavin Ennis (11) and Casey Smith and Jaden Rocco (10 each). ... Harbor Creek limits opponents to 38 ppg., while averaging 55.7. ... 3rd-seeded Grove City is led by 3rd-year Head Coach Chris Kwolek (45-26), who guided Grove City to 18 wins last year, 1 more than the previous season. ... The Eagles enter the game having won 5 of their previous 6, with the lone loss at Hickory. ... The Huskies have harvested 12 consecutive conquests and are 9-0 at home this season. The lone losses occurred at Cathedral Prep (45-33) and Erie (57-42). Grove City is 4-5 on the road, with the losses at Sharpsville (58-45), Bethel Park (51-49), Cathedral Prep (64-60), Franklin (56-45) and Hickory (50-21). — By Ed Farrell, Herald assistant sports editor.
