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Sports

Tough Loss for the Panthers

Allentown Central Catholic outmuscled the Panthers in Tuesday's exciting game, defeating Saucon Valley 56-51 in District XI semifinal action.

In athletics a #4 seed isn't normally expected to beat a #1 seed, however Allentown Central Catholic (15-9) plays an unusually tough schedule in the Lehigh Valley Conference, which gave the team an advantage over the #1-seeded Panthers. The Vikings defeated Saucon Valley 56-51 in semifinal action Tuesday night, crushing the team's hope of advancing to the 2011 District XI Title game Friday.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, which they maintained throughout the first quarter, although their lead narrowed to just two points (15-13) just as the quarter ended. 

As the second quarter began both teams continued their very aggressive defensive games, forcing a number of turnovers. However, the Panthers' play turned ice cold and the team struggled to score just four points. The result was that the Vikings took the lead, 19-17, at the six minute mark. It was a lead they would hold on to for the rest of the game.

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Despite their lackluster performance in the second quarter, the scrappy Panthers were able to remain competitive throughout the game.

The Panthers even had a chance to tie the score as the half ended, however unlike the Vikings--who hit a shot at the end of the first quarter to shave the Panthers' lead--Matt Figueroa's attempt at a 3-pointer went in and out.

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In the third quarter, Panthers Jason Okken and Eric Frans did their best to battle the Vikings at both ends of the court, but the Vikings were able to increase their lead to 41-30 as the quarter ended.

Coach Matt Brown's team never gave up, though. Even when the Panthers trailed 45-32 at the 6:02 mark in the fourth quarter, Tyler Mosher was able to hit a jumper and ignite a Panther charge. 

The Panthers cut into the Vikings' lead throughout the fourth quarter, and at the 3:48 mark Eric Frans hit a shot from the top of the key, making the score  45-40. At the 2:23 mark, Frans scored again, narrowing the Vikings' lead to 45-42.

After Central scored once more, John Clark again cut the deficit to three at 47-44, with 1:57 to go.

Central took advantage of Panther turnovers by opening up a 50-44 lead, however Frans scored to keep the game within 4 points (50-46) with 1:02 left to play.

With the score at 52-46, Tyler Mosher hit a 3-point shot to again bring the Panthers within 3 at 52-49. 

Central then scored to take a 54-49 lead, however Frans' hot shooting in the fourth quarter continued as he scored and was fouled on the play, cutting the Viking lead to 54-51 with just 8.9 seconds left to play.

Although Frans missed his foul shot, Central's Brendan Nosovitch was fouled as he grabbed the rebound. After Nosovitch missed both his foul shots and Saucon controlled the rebound, Coach Brown called a time out to set up the Panthers' final play.

With 6.7 seconds remaining on the clock, and the Panthers needing a 3 point shot to tie the score, John Clark's across-the-court pass intended for Matt Figueroa was intercepted by Brendan Nosovitch, who did not miss as he slammed the final bucket, sealing the 56-51 win for the Vikings just as the buzzer sounded.

 

Point Totals by Quarter:

Saucon Valley                             15      4     11     21     51 

Allentown Central Catholic   13      9     19     15     56 

 

Player Stats - Saucon Valley:

Andrew Remaly   2 points                             

John Clark            7                             

Tyler Mosher     10                             

Jason Okken      4                               

Eric Frans             22                               

Matt Figueroa     6                            

Christian Kennedy    0                            

Pat Kowalski        0                             

Sean Redding     0                                

 

Player Stats - Allentown Central Catholic: 

Mike Kammerer    2                           

Kevin McKellick    3                          

Shane McNeely    4                          

Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman   25                            

Ted Brochu      5                            

Jim Vaughn    0                            

Jack Sandherr   0                            

Ray Ocasio      0                            

Brendan Nosovitch   12                           

Jean Lee Baez     5

Correction: The Panthers scored four points in the second quarter, not two, as an earlier published version of this story indicated.

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