HS BASKETBALL: Bears roll on, escape Martz Hall with Schuylkill League gold

POTTSVILLE – 24-0.

The Mahanoy Area Golden Bears escaped Martz Hall Friday night with their undefeated record intact, and some hardware to go with it.

They faced Blue Mountain (21-2) in the Schuylkill League title game.

***KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL –*** *The Mahanoy Area Golden Bears celebrate their Schuylkill League championship.*

The Eagles, looking to follow in the footsteps of the girls’ game earlier in the evening, sought to end Mahanoy’s streak and bring both trophies back to Orwigsburg.

Blue Mountain kept the game close, trailing by one point at the end of the first quarter. Mahanoy opened up a sizable lead at the half, leading by 37-25.

That didn’t last long.

***KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL –*** *Mahanoy Area’s Kadin Styka drives to the basket as Blue Mountain’s #24 Tyler Miller defends.*

The Eagles closed the gap throughout the second half, trailing 52-51 in the waning minutes.

Cue the high-flying action of the Bears’ leading scorer, Jace Yedsena.

A breakaway dunk by the junior brought Mahanoy fans to their feet and sparked a 14-0 rally to secure the victory.

***KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL –*** *Mahanoy Area’s Tanner Zawada collides with Blue Mountain’s Merik Brayford*

Mahanoy won 66-51, taking their seventh Schuylkill League title home to Mahanoy City.

As snow began to fall, the Bears, flanked by fire apparatus from the borough and surrounding communities, were greeted by fans at the Citizens firehouse and throughout town.

The Bears now move on to the District XI playoffs.