HS Boys’ Basketball: Pottsville outlasts Blue Mountain for Heffner’s first win
Pottsville's Christian Alvarez and Blue Mountain's Cohen Werner jump for the tipoff during a Schuylkill League Division I boys' basketball game at Blue Mountain. The Crimson Tide defeated the Eagles 48-45. Also pictured is official Mike Towle, Blue Mountain's Evan Setlock (5) and Pottsville's Chris Hobbs (far right) (Photo by Eli Doyle)
ORWIGSBURG — It was certainly an evening Pottsville first-year boys’ basketball coach Tyler Heffner will remember.
Pottsville and Blue Mountain traded punches from start to finish, but the Crimson Tide found just enough composure late to escape with a 48-45 Schuylkill League Division I victory Thursday night at Blue Mountain High School, giving Heffner his first win as the program’s varsity coach.
“This definitely wasn’t an easy one,” Heffner said. “This is one of the hardest places to play, honestly. I’m so thrilled for the kids, the seniors, they worked so hard for this. They’re wonderful kids, they really do deserve it.”
The Tide, whose original opener against Hazleton was wiped out by weather, were thrown immediately into a rivalry atmosphere against veteran Blue Mountain coach Dustin Werdt and an athletic Eagles squad.
Pottsville trailed 11-9 after the first quarter as Tyeirre Meade scored six early points to help Blue Mountain dictate the opening tempo.
Pottsville’s depth, however, shifted the game as it unfolded.
Junior guard Colin McGinley came off the bench to score 10 points in the first half, while senior Brody Herndon knocked down two pressure free throws with 1:10 left in the third quarter to put the Tide ahead 36-32.
The Tide also received steady scoring from seniors Christian Alvarez (14) and Ryder Bowers (13), who combined for five of Pottsville’s eight made 3-pointers.
But Blue Mountain refused to go away.
Junior forward Cohen Werner scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half to keep the Eagles within a possession for much of the fourth quarter. Their aggressive man-to-man defense nearly stole the game late, holding Pottsville scoreless from the 5:50 mark until Bowers hit two double-bonus free throws with 53.2 seconds left.
Pottsville also received timely late contributions from its starting unit.
Seniors Josh Kimber and Davey Kunstek each scored their first field goals of the night in the fourth quarter, and junior Chris Hobbs drilled a pivotal corner 3-pointer that helped the Tide maintain their narrow advantage.
“I can’t be more proud about the way they worked in the offseason,” Heffner said about his upperclassmen. “They’re such incredible kids. They have a little bit more experience and we look for them to lead. And they did a really good job today. This was a. real mental challenge for us and our seniors did a very good job. We had contributions from everybody.”
Blue Mountain made one final push in the closing minute as Evan Setlock banked in a runner to bring the Eagles within a bucket, but Pottsville held firm as the Tide secured a win that may prove significant in a crowded Division I race.
Werner finished with a team-high 14 points for Blue Mountain, while Meade followed with 12.
Heffner’s first win carried added meaning for the program. A Pottsville basketball alum who worked his way up the coaching ranks starting at the junior high level, he now begins his varsity tenure leading the same Crimson Tide tradition he once played for.
Game Summary
Pottsville 48, Blue Mountain 45
POTTSVILLE (48) — Hobbs 1 0-0 3, McGinley 4 0-0 10, Allen 0 0-0 0, Herndon 0 2-2 2, Alvarez 5 2-4 14, Bowers 4 2-2 13, Kunstek 1 0-0 2, Clews 0 0-0 0, Kimber 1 0-1 2, Viars 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 6-9 48.
BLUE MOUNTAIN (45) — Meade 6 0-0 12, Setlock 2 0-0 4, Kirby 2 3-7 7, Werner 6 1-1 14, Henninger 2 0-0 4, Wargo 0 0-0 0, Gaddy 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 4-8 45.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| Potts (1-0, 1-0) | 9 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 48 |
| BM (0-2, 0-1) | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 45 |
