HS BASKETBALL: Bears defeat Northwest Area, advance in state bracket, 58-44
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A Northwest player is guarded by Mahanoy Area's Jace Yedsena, left, and Brady Alansky.
MAHANOY CITY – Mahanoy is moving on.
The undefeated Golden Bears hosted the Rangers of Northwest Area Saturday afternoon in a rematch of last year’s state tournament opener.
A capacity crowd packed the Mickey Holland Gymnasium at Mahanoy Area — 700 spectators — split nearly in half between the two schools.
Mahanoy took a hefty early lead, up 17-2 midway through the first quarter.
Northwest would close the gap somewhat by halftime, trailing 28-17 at the half and keeping a roughly 10-point deficit for much of the rest of the game, staying within striking distance.
Though, late in the 4th quarter, a Jace Yedsena dunk brought Mahanoy fans to their feet and extended the Bears’ lead to 14 with a minute to go.
Mahanoy won 58-44 to move on to the second round of playoffs, facing either Constitution from Philadelphia or Delaware County Christian from the city’s suburbs.
That game will be Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.
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