SL Boys’ Semifinal Preview: Four powers, two final spots on the line
Minersville's Shazier Bethea (left) and Jordan Bowers (right) celebrate after a basket (Photo by Kelly Wiley).
Martz Hall has seen decades of Schuylkill League basketball history, and tonight will add two more chapters as four familiar programs take the floor with a league championship berth on the line.
The semifinals bring together contrasting styles, seasoned coaching staffs, and teams that understand exactly what this stage demands.
By the end of the night, only two will still be standing.
Structure vs. Firepower
Pottsville and Tri-Valley arrive at the semifinal round by very different paths, but both with legitimate expectations of playing Friday night.
The Crimson Tide punched their ticket with a dominant quarterfinal performance against Nativity, setting the tone early and never allowing the game to drift. Pottsville enters with a reputation built on balance, spacing, and discipline — hallmarks of Tide basketball in recent decades.
Christian Alvarez anchors the offense with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor, while Ryder Bowers’ perimeter shooting forces defenses to stretch. Davey Kunstek provides a physical interior presence, and the guard pairing of Chris Hobbs and Josh Kimber offers stability when games slow down.
And as touched on in the quarterfinal preview, one of Pottsville’s biggest weapons may come from the bench — or several seats along it. JuJu Bainbridge, Andrew Allen and Max Clews are just a few of the names coach Tyler Heffner has no hesitation turning to in virtually any situation.
Tri-Valley, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most explosive teams all season and arrives rested after earning a quarterfinal bye as Division II champions.
And make no mistake — these Dawgs love to run.
Tri-Valley thrives in space and tempo, with Braeden Doyle serving as the engine. When Doyle gets downhill or finds a rhythm from the outside, the game can tilt quickly. Owen Miller’s ability to control pace and distribute keeps the Dawgs organized, while Gavin Klock, Cooper Carl and Trey Porter supply size and rebounding to match the scoring punch. Kingsley Johnson adds another layer off the bench, capable of flipping momentum in short bursts.
This matchup may come down to which style prevails. Pottsville wants clean possessions, sharp rotations, and a measured pace. Tri-Valley is comfortable turning games into extended runs, where one or two stops can snowball into separation. At Martz Hall — where momentum is amplified — that contrast could decide the outcome.
Familiar Foes, Heavyweight Feel
If the nightcap feels familiar, that’s because it is.
Blue Mountain and Minersville know each other well, and their semifinal matchup carries the feel of two programs that fully expect to be playing deep into the postseason.
Minersville swept the regular-season meetings — 54-44 on Dec. 8 and 55-49 on Jan. 16 — but regular-season results carry less weight with a trip to the finals on the line.
Blue Mountain advanced with a physical quarterfinal win over Schuylkill Haven 64-54, leaning on toughness and timely shooting. Tyeirre Meade sets the tone with his scoring and defensive presence. Cohen Werner and Cohen Kirby provide versatility, while Evan Setlock and Sean Gaddy handle perimeter responsibilities. Beck Henninger’s shooting off the bench is a real weapon — defenses cannot lose him.
Minersville enters as the top seed after claiming the Division I title and earning a quarterfinal bye. The Battlin’ Miners have looked the part all season.
Shazier Bethea is the centerpiece — a scorer, facilitator and disruptive defender. Jordan Bowers brings energy, versatility, and defensively, can guard basically one through five in the lineup. Chase Zimerofsky and Nolan Plesnarski stretch the floor, and Camden Rogers steadies the backcourt. Depth pieces like Brandon Adams and Shane Fessler allow Minersville to maintain pressure without sacrificing structure.
This game likely will be decided in the margins.
Blue Mountain wants a controlled battle, while Minersville thrives when it creates turnovers and converts in transition. Both teams are comfortable in tight games — and both understand how thin the line becomes in February.
What’s at Stake
By the end of tonight, history won’t be abstract — it’ll be immediate.
A spot in the Schuylkill League championship game awaits, along with a chance to add to programs that already carry deep postseason legacies.
Martz Hall has long been the proving ground for that next step, and as past semifinals have shown, this round often proves tougher than the final itself.
Four teams arrive confident. Two will leave with unfinished business.
6 p.m. can’t come soon enough.
Schuylkill League Boys’ Basketball Playoff Preview Capsules
Pottsville (17-6) vs. Tri-Valley (20-2)
When: Today (Feb. 11), 6 p.m.
Where: Martz Hall, Pottsville
TV/Radio: Game will be simulcast on both WPPA (1360 AM / 105.9 FM) and T-102 (101.9 FM) with Chaz Hepler and Ty Wartman on the call.
Live updates: Follow T102 Sports Now reporter Eli Doyle on X @IamEliDoyle and get score updates on the T102 Sports Now Facebook page.
Tickets: All tickets for the Schuylkill League playoffs will be cash sales at the door. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for students. There will NOT be a Senior Citizen discount.
Up Next: Winner faces Minersville-Blue Mountain winner in Schuylkill League championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Martz Hall
About Pottsville
Head coach: Tyler Heffner
How they got here: Defeated Nativity 64-21 in quarterfinals
Scoring Averages: Offense, ~ 57 ppg; Defense, ~ 45 ppg
Projected starting five: F Christian Alvarez, sr. (17.7 ppg, 27 3-pt FG), F Ryder Bowers, sr. (11 ppg, 65 3-pt FG), C Davey Kunstek, sr. (10 ppg, 13 3-pt FG), G Chris Hobbs, jr. (5.4 ppg, 22 3-pt FG), G Josh Kimber, jr. (3.3 ppg, 8 3-pt FGs)
Key reserves: G/F Colin McGinley, jr. (3.2 ppg, 15 3-pt FG), G Andrew Allen, jr., F/C JuJu Bainbridge, sr., G Brody Herndon, sr., F/C Max Clews, jr., F/C Brandon Viars, sr.
About Tri-Valley
Head coach: Mike Masser
How they got here: Division II champions, quarterfinals bye
Scoring Averages: Offense, ~ 71 ppg; Defense, ~ 56 ppg
Projected starting five: G Owen Miller, sr. (5.6 ppg, 9.1 assists per game), G Braeden Doyle, sr. (22.2 ppg, 6.1 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game), G Gavin Klock, sr. (12.2 ppg, 3.6 rebounds per game), F Cooper Carl, sr. (7.6 ppg, 8.1 rebounds per game), F Trey Porter, jr. (16.2 ppg, 8.2 rebounds per game
Key reserves: G Kingsley Johnson, so. (12.5 ppg, 3.2 rebounds per game), F Kolten Clemmer, fr.
Game Notes
Pottsville and Tri-Valley did not meet during the regular season, adding a layer of unfamiliarity to a semifinal with big stakes. The Dawgs average over 70 points per game, but Martz Hall’s wider floor could subtly change spacing and transition angles compared to some of the tighter regular-season gyms Tri-Valley sees. That said, most of these players have already logged meaningful minutes in the “Mecca” during previous league and District 11 playoff runs, so the stage won’t overwhelm them. Alvarez vs. Doyle headlines the matchup, but the game could hinge on stretching defenses from the perimeter. Key questions: Can Pottsville dictate tempo and limit Tri-Valley’s runs? And how quickly do the Dawgs adjust to the bigger floor and thrive under postseason pressure?
Blue Mountain (16-7) vs. Minersville (21-1)
When: Today (Feb. 11), 7:30 p.m.
Where: Martz Hall, Pottsville
TV/Radio: Game will be simulcast on both WPPA (1360 AM / 105.9 FM) and T-102 (101.9 FM) with Chaz Hepler and Ty Wartman on the call.
Live updates: Follow T102 Sports Now reporter Eli Doyle on X @IamEliDoyle and get score updates on the T102 Sports Now Facebook page.
Tickets: All tickets for the Schuylkill League playoffs will be cash sales at the door. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for students. There will NOT be a Senior Citizen discount.
Up Next: Winner faces Pottsville-Tri-Valley winner in Schuylkill League championship at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Martz Hall
About Blue Mountain
Head coach: Dustin Werdt
How they got here: Defeated Schuylkill Haven 64-54 in quarterfinals
Scoring Averages: Offense, ~ 60; Defense, ~ 41 ppg
Projected starting five: G Tyeirre Meade, sr. (18.3 ppg, 17 3-pt FG), F Cohen Werner, jr. (11.5 ppg, 14 3-pt FG), F Cohen Kirby, so. (9.9 ppg), G Evan Setlock, sr. (5 ppg, 9 3-pt FG), G Sean Gaddy, sr. (5 ppg., 7 3-point FG)
Key reserves: G Beck Henninger, jr. (30 3-pt FG), G/F Caden Wargo, so., F Vince DiSante Sr., G Lucas Pritiskutch, jr.
About Minersville
