HS BASKETBALL: Comeback thwarted, Bears fall in PIAA 2A second round, 71-65
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Mahanoy Area's Kadin Styka is defended by Constitution's Kyree Latimer.
BETHLEHEM – Mahanoy Area needed the Christmas City to become the Comeback City Wednesday night, and came within a single basket in the final 30 seconds.
The Golden Bears travelled to Bethlehem’s Liberty High School to face the Generals of Constitution High, a Philadelphia public school with city-wide admission.
Mahanoy entered the game with an unblemished 28-0 record, while Constitution stood at 23-6. It was also a rematch of last year’s second round game, a 58-40 Mahanoy victory.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the first bucket coming just over a minute in in Mahanoy’s favor, which stood as the only score for another two minutes.
Mahanoy opened up a 5-0 lead before the Generals responded.
By the end of the first quarter, Constitution took a 16-14 advantage. They exchanged the lead several times in the second quarter and, at the half, it was just a one-point advantage, 28-27 Constitution.
Constitution found breathing room in the third quarter, leading 47-35.
Cue a Mahanoy comeback.
The Golden Bears rallied back in the fourth quarter, trailing by just two points — 65-67 — with under 30 seconds left to play.
Constitution’s Kyree Latimer charged downcourt and had his shot blocked by Mahanoy’s Brady Alansky. It looked like a miracle in Bethlehem was in store for a split-second, before a foul was called and Constitution had an insurmountable advantage, taking the 71-65 victory.
Mahanoy Area finishes the season 28-1, with a District XI 2A and Schuylkill League title to their credit.
Constitution moves on to face Lancaster Mennonite in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
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