D-11 Boys’ Hoops: Selinsgrove ousts Blue Mountain from 5A playoffs
Blue Mountain's Evan Setlock controls the ball as Selinsgrove's Griffin Parker defends during Tuesday's District 11 Class 5A boys' semifinal at Martz Hall (Photo by Mel Rose).
Seals’ Jackson scores 31 points in 64-50 victory
POTTSVILLE — Dustin Werdt made his way through the locker room, stopping and talking one-on-one with each of his five seniors.
The Blue Mountain coach wanted to make sure those five players knew just much he appreciated their hard work, sacrifice, dedication and effort this season one final time.
The Eagles’ five seniors — Tyeirre Meade, Evan Setlock, Vince DiSante, Evan McDonough and Sean Gaddy — saw their high school careers end Tuesday night with a 64-50 loss to Selinsgrove in a District 11 Class 5A boys’ basketball semifinal at Martz Hall.
The Seals’ Xavier Jackson poured in a game-high 31 points as Selinsgrove advanced to Friday’s championship game against Southern Lehigh, a 55-43 winner over Pottsville in the other semifinal (see related story: https://www.t102sportsnow.com/2026/02/24/d-11-basketball-southern-lehigh-clamps-down-tops-pottsville-in-5a-semifinal/).
Since only two teams advance out of District 11 to the PIAA Tournament in Class 5A, Blue Mountain’s season comes to an end at 17-9.
“Our five seniors … Evan McDonough, Vince DiSante, Evan Setlock, Sean Gaddy, Tyeirre Meade … they all had different roles on the team,” Werdt said. “Some played 32 minutes, some didn’t get in some nights. Not one of them complained.
“Every single one of them made our team and our program better. It showed up in their attitudes, it showed up in their work ethic at practice and the leadership they provided.
“I hope our juniors and sophomores can see that. Regardless of what your role is on the floor during a game, you can still contribute to this team.”
Jackson, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, made his presence felt early and often against the Eagles, scoring from all three levels.
Utilizing a quick burst on drives to the basket, great elevation above the rim for rebounds at both ends and a silky smooth shooting touch from the outside, Jackson put on a show.
He had eight points in the first quarter as Selinsgrove (17-7) took an early 14-8 lead, then had seven more in the second frame to give the Seals a 28-22 lead at the break.
Jackson scored nine in the third period as Selinsgrove expanded its lead, then scored seven more in the fourth. He shot 10-of-15 from the field, hitting three 3-pointers, and was 8-of-12 from the foul line. Oh yea, he had six rebounds, too.
“He’s averaged right around 20 points,” Selinsgrove coach Ryan Solomon said. “He can score at all three levels, makes plays for others, dominant on the defensive end at times.
“He’s just an all-around great player and he’s really matured for us this year.”
Added Werdt: “Coming in we knew he was good. I said if he scores 30 we’re going to lose, if he scores 18 we have a good shot at winning. Unfortunately, I was right, but on the wrong end of it.
“The kid can play.”
In addition to having trouble containing Jackson, Blue Mountain had a hard time stopping Selinsgrove’s 3-point shooters.
The Seals hit 12 shots from beyond the arc, shooting a ridiculous 50 percent (12-for-24) from 3-point range. Selinsgrove was consistent with those shots throughout the game, hitting three triples in each period.
McAlister DeFazio led the way with four 3-pointers and scored 14 points, while Johnson had three, Griffin Parker and Julian Torres drained two and Jack Piecuch hit one.
Every time Blue Mountain would gain some momentum and look like it was about to go on a run, Selinsgrove would hit a 3-pointer to regain momentum and kill the rally.
“I knew they had some kids that could shoot it,” Werdt said. “I think they shot a little bit better than they typically do. I haven’t seen them make 12.
“They had good looks, too. They were open looks. Part of that was that our defense wasn’t quite where it needed to be today.”
Blue Mountain’s only lead came at 4-3 two minutes into the game. A steal and layup by Cohen Werner sliced Selinsgrove’s halftime lead to 28-24 early in the third, but the Seals went on a 13-3 run to take control.
Johnson had seven points in the spurt, while DeFazio and Parker hit 3-pointers. The run gave Selinsgrove a 41-27 lead … Blue Mountain would get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Meade led the Eagles with 15 points despite being hindered by foul trouble. He eventually fouled out with 1:58 left.
Setlock and Werner each finished with 10 points, while Cohen Kirby pulled down 11 rebounds.
Game Summary
District 11 Class 5A Semifinal
At Martz Hall
SELINSGROVE (64) — Parker 2 2-4 8, Jackson 10 8-12 31, Walter 0 2-4 2, DeFazio 5 0-0 14, Carter 0 0-0 0, Piecuch 1 0-0 3, Torres 2 0-0 6. Totals 20 12-20 64.
BLUE MOUNTAIN (50) — Meade 7 0-1 15, Setlock 3 2-2 10, Kirby 3 2-2 8, Werner 4 2-4 10, Gaddy 0 2-4 2, Henninger 2 0-0 5, Wargo 0 0-0 0, DiSante 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 8-13 50.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| Selin (17-7) | 14 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 64 |
| Blue (17-9) | 8 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 50 |
