HS BASKETBALL: Devils upset Marian, punch ticket to Martz Hall
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A Marian player falls to the ground as Shenandoah's Luke Matta attempts a shot.
QUAKAKE – The Shenandoah Valley Blue Devils are headed back to the District XI title game for the first time since 2017.
The #4-seeded Devils edged Marian Catholic by a single point in a game that ended in a nailbiting and heartstopping fashion.
The two squads exchanged blows early on, swapping the lead several times in the first half. Shenandoah held the lead 15-12 at the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, the Colts, seeded at #1, began to take control of the game, taking a 24-18 lead into the locker room.
That lead would grow in the third quarter to double digits, with the Colts taking a 43-32 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, Shenandoah went on a 14-2 rally, closing the gap and, with a minute remaining, held the lead at 55-51.
Exchanging several sets of free throws, the Devils remained up top 58-57 with five seconds remaining.
Marian Catholic attempted a buzzer-beater, but couldn’t find the same luck as Allentown Central Catholic in Monday’s girls’ semifinal.
Shenandoah’s Owen Kosar contributed 29 points to the Devils offense, leading the chart, with 23 of those points coming in the second half.
The Devils move on to Friday’s District XI final against Williams Valley, victors over Mahanoy Area tonight, at Martz Hall.
It is Shenandoah’s first appearance in the game since 2017’s loss to Marian Catholic.
The Shenandoah squad was welcomed back to town by a group of parents and fellow students celebrating at Main and Centre.
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