POTTSVILLE — When the moment demanded a star performance, Christian Alvarez delivered — and then some.

Alvarez poured in a game-high 29 points and Pottsville used a dominant second and third quarter surge to roll past Tri-Valley 70-44 in a Schuylkill League boys’ basketball semifinal Wednesday night at Martz Hall.

“We came ready to go,” Pottsville coach Tyler Heffner said. “We prepared really well the last couple days. Christian and some of the guys who have been here before — our leaders — really stepped up for us and settled us in early. Tri-Valley is a really good team. They push the ball at an incredible pace. I thought early they got to us a little bit, and we had to settle in. I’m proud of them. We’ve got great leaders on this team. They’re pretty good kids. Defensively, the same thing — our guys outperformed when it mattered.”

For a quarter, it looked like the Dawgs were rolling, even with senior guard and premier passer Owen Miller sidelined with an injury.

Tri-Valley grabbed early momentum behind Kingsley Johnson, who banked in a deep 3-pointer and followed his own miss for a putback as the Dawgs built a quick 7-2 edge. Braeden Doyle added a 3 to make it 10-2 midway through the opening frame.

But Pottsville (18-6) steadied.

Alvarez scored inside, Ryder Bowers knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and Davey Kunstek finished in the paint to keep the Crimson Tide within striking distance. After a late Max Clews 3-pointer gave Pottsville a brief lead, Trey Porter answered with a fading corner triple off an inbound to knot the game at 15-15 after one.

The second quarter turned the tide.

Alvarez began asserting himself offensively, getting downhill and living at the free-throw line. Doyle briefly kept Tri-Valley afloat with a pair at the stripe, but Pottsville’s defensive pressure began creating separation.

Bowers drilled a 3 from the top of the key to spark a run, and Alvarez followed with back-to-back finishes. A steal by Kimber led to another basket, and Alvarez capped the burst with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 34-19 late in the half.

Pottsville took a 34-23 advantage into the break — and never looked back.

The third quarter was all Crimson Tide.

Alvarez opened the half with a strong drive and continued attacking the rim, scoring inside and converting all seven of his free-throw attempts on the night. His 3-pointer pushed the margin to 43-24, and another trip to the line made it 45-24.

Tri-Valley (20-3) tried to answer behind Doyle, who knocked down a 3, and Porter, who converted a second-chance opportunity. But every time the Dawgs showed signs of life, Pottsville responded.

Kunstek finished through contact, Bowers splashed another 3, and McGinley and Bainbridge added timely triples as the Tide ballooned the lead to 58-32 by the end of the third.

By the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Alvarez continued to score at all three levels, adding another 3 and a strong finish inside. Bowers capped his night with a full-court runout off a Kimber assist, and Pottsville’s bench energy never dipped as the final minutes ticked away.

Alvarez finished with 29 points, Bowers added 14 — including four 3-pointers — and Kunstek chipped in 10. Pottsville shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line and outscored Tri-Valley 43-17 across the second and third quarters to seize control.

Doyle led Tri-Valley with 12 points, while Porter added 11 and Johnson finished with nine as the Dawgs closed their season at 20-3.

Pottsville advances to Friday’s Schuylkill League championship game in a rematch of last year’s final against Minersville at 7:30 p.m. at Martz Hall. The Crimson Tide will look to build on a statement semifinal performance fueled by defensive pressure, balanced scoring and the steady presence of their senior leader. Pottsville defeated Minersville 50-43 to claim last year’s league championship.

Game Summary

Schuylkill League Boys’ Semifinals

At Martz Hall

POTTSVILLE (70) — Alvarez 10 7-7 29, Bowers 5 0-0 14, Kunstek 4 0-0 10, Hobbs 0 0-0 0, Kimber 2 0-0 4, McGinley 1 0-0 3, Allen 0 0-0 0 , Bainbridge 1 0-0 3, Clews 1 0-0 3, Herndon 0 0-0 0, Leskin 0 0-0 0, Oswald 0 0-0 0, Baker 0 0-0 0, Eroh 1 0-0 3, Frantz 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 7-7 70.

TRI-VALLEY (44) — Carl 1 1-2 3, Porter 4 3-4 11, Johnson 3 2-2 9, Clemmer 0 2-2 2, Doyle 3 3-4 12, Klock 1 2-2 5, T. Troutman 0 0-0 0, C. Troutman 0 0-0 0, Olmos 0 0-0 0, Kaslavage 0 2-2 2. Totals 12 15-18 44.

3-point FGs: McGinley, Bainbridge, Alvarez 3, Bowers 4, Clews, Kunstek, Eroh, Johnson, Doyle 3, Klock

Officials: Scheeler, Melusky, Dennis