Marian's Jake Tom attempts a layup high off the glass during a Schuylkill League Division II home game against Williams Valley. The Colts defeated the Vikings 53-42 (Photo by Eli Doyle).

HOMETOWN — Marian made the plays it needed when the game tightened. That proved to be the difference.

Jake Tom scored a game-high 15 points, and the Colts leaned on timely baskets, second-chance opportunities and late free throws to earn a 53-42 Schuylkill League Division II boys’ basketball home victory over Williams Valley on Friday night.

“We’re building team chemistry each game,” Marian junior Jimmy Cannon said. “That is the most important thing. We’re sharing the ball and getting hot at the right time. That’s very important in basketball.”

The game featured a back-and-forth start before Marian began to seize control late in the second quarter.

Justin De La Cruz knocked down a second-chance 3-pointer with 10.0 seconds remaining in the half to give the Colts a 25-24 edge. Moments later, Williams Valley’s Chris Dickerson drew contact and split a pair of free throws to briefly swing momentum, but Tom answered in emphatic fashion, burying a buzzer-beating 3 from near half court to send Marian into the locker room with a 28-25 lead.

That shot carried over into the second half.

Marian continued to apply pressure in the paint and on the glass, gradually extending its lead. Cannon delivered a key sequence early in the fourth quarter, finishing a layup through contact and converting the ensuing free throw to push the Colts’ advantage to 42-32 with 7:19 remaining.

“My role increased when Rocco Griguoli went down with an injury,” Cannon said. “And coach (Paul) Brutto believes in me. And it’s important you have chemistry with your coach as well as your teammates. All the players believe in me — they know I can knock down shots and finish around the rim.”

Williams Valley refused to go quietly.

Evan Achenbach sparked a late rally by drilling a pair of 3-pointers, trimming the deficit and pulling the Vikings within striking distance. But Marian stayed composed at the line, hitting 5-of-8 free throws in the final quarter to fend off the comeback and close out the win.

Justin De La Cruz and Cannon each netted 11 points for the Colts, while Jacob De La Cruz chipped in nine to provide balance across the lineup.

Achenbach paced Williams Valley with 14 points, Evan Kandybowski added 10, and Gabe Rodriguez finished with nine as the Vikings continued to battle until the final minutes.

The victory also carried postseason significance for Marian.

“It was a must-win game for us,” Cannon said. “The league playoffs are still in play. We had to go out and win, and that’s what we did.”

Tri-Valley (18-1, 12-0 D-II) and Schuylkill Haven (15-6, 9-4) have already clinched Schuylkill League playoff berths from Division II. The race for the third spot is a four-team battle between Nativity (9-10, 7-5), Weatherly (13-6, 6-6), Williams Valley (8-11, 6-6) and Marian (9-10, 5-7).

Marian’s lone remaining Schuylkill League game comes Tuesday on the road at Shenandoah Valley (3-17, 1-11), while the Vikings continue their push for postseason qualification with upcoming games against the Hilltoppers and Wreckers before closing the regular season with a non-league game at Line Mountain.

The Colts have already secured a spot in the four-team District 11 Class AA Tournament, joining Tri-Valley (18-1), Schuylkill Haven (15-6) and Moravian Academy (0-18).

Game Summary

Marian 53, Williams Valley 42

WILLIAMS VALLEY (42) — Rodriguez 2 3-4 9, Dickerson 1 1-2 3, Rautzahn 0 0-0 0, Achenbach 6 0-0 14, Kandybowski 4 2-7 10, B. Zilinski 2 0-1 4, K. Zilinski 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 6-14 42.

MARIAN (53) — Shigo 0 0-0 0, Tom 7 0-2 15, Nunez 0 0-0 0, Ju. De La Cruz 3 3-4 11, Ja. De La Cruz 3 3-4 9, Acosta 0 0-0 0, Do. Rodino 0 0-0 0, Tirpak 3 0-0 7, Knock 0 0-0 0, Cannon 4 1-2 11. Totals 20 7-12 53.

3-point FGs: Rodriguez 2, Achenbach 2, Tom, Ju. De La Cruz 2, Tirpak, Cannon 2

Officials: Merwine, Towle, Karinch