D-11 Hoops Roundup: Spartans, Wreckers, Cardinals fall in district play
Coach Anthony Agosti, North Schuylkill boys' basketball
EASTON — North Schuylkill’s first season under coach Anthony Agosti was a memorable one.
Agosti engineered a significant turnaround in his debut campaign.
After winning just a quartet of games a year ago, the Spartans placed fourth in a loaded Schuylkill League Division I, qualified for the District 11 Class 4A playoffs and came within one victory of reaching the PIAA Tournament — laying a strong foundation heading into next season.
That run came to an end Friday, however, as Salisbury built an early advantage and held off North Schuylkill 51-42 in a District 11 Class 4A consolation matchup at Easton Middle School.
The Falcons led 15-7 after one quarter and never relinquished control, closing strong despite a late North Schuylkill surge.
Xavier McNally led the Spartans with 16 points, while Caden Mengel added six and Julian Nelson and Max Gallagher each chipped in four.
Steven Lozada paced Salisbury with 19 points and Garret Leiner scored 14 as the Falcons improved to 22-4 and will move on to the state playoff field.
North Schuylkill finishes the season 14-11.
District 11 Class 4A Consolation
At Easton Middle School
NORTH SCHUYLKILL (42) — Cairo 0 0-0 0, Damiter 1 0-0 3, Maziekas 2 0-0 5, Mengel 2 2-3 6, Kacilowicz 0 4-4 4, Kronkowski 0 0-0 0, Nelson 1 1-2 4, McNally 7 2-4 16, Gallagher 0 4-4 4. Totals 13 13-17 42.
SALISBURY (51) — Lozada 7 5-6 19, Leiner 3 2-2 14, Kloosterman 0 0-0 0, B. Gonzalez 2 2-2 7, Petrie 0 2-4 2, Frye 1 0-0 2, J. Gonzalez 0 0-0 0, Soria 0 0-0 0, Makoul 3 0-1 7. Totals 18 11-15 51.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| NS (14-11) | 7 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 42 |
| Sal (22-4) | 15 | 13 | 16 | 7 | 51 |
3-point FGs: Damiter, Maziekas, Nelson, Leiner 2, B. Gonzalez, Makoul
Officials: Keiter, Bonavita, Marie
Bethlehem Christian 86, Weatherly 56
CATASAUQUA — Bethlehem Christian powered past Weatherly behind a balanced offensive attack in the District 11 Class A championship.
The top-seeded Panthers led throughout, outscoring the Wreckers in every quarter. Gabe Transue poured in a game-high 41 points and Myles Harries chipped in 29.
For the Wreckers, Ian McKeegan scored 18 and Corbin Wagner added 16, but Bethlehem Christian’s depth and scoring balance proved decisive.
Weatherly will move on to the PIAA Class A Tournament to face District 3 champion High Point Baptist (14-8), while the Panthers will play District 4 third-place finisher Lourdes in the first round Friday, March 6. Sites and times are to be announced.
District 11 Class A Championship
At Catasauqua High School
WEATHERLY (56) — Adler 2 0-0 4, Kokinda 1 2-4 4, I. McKeegan 6 5-6 18, Cuddeford 0 0-0 0, J. McKeegan 0 0-0 0, Saldukas 5 2-4 12, Davis 1 0-0 2, Wagner 7 0-4 16. Teams 22 9-18 56.
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN (86) — Kasper 5 0-0 12, Frasier 0 0-0 0, Harris 13 1-3 29, Transue 16 7-12 41, Jeffers 0 0-0 0, Rex 0 0-0 0, Brown 0 0-0 0, Primrose 0 0-0 0, Swift 2 0-0 4. Teams 36 8-15 86.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| Wea (16-8) | 9 | 7 | 22 | 18 | 56 |
| BC (22-2) | 14 | 20 | 23 | 29 | 86 |
3-point FGs: I. McKeegan, Wagner 2, Kasper 2, Harris 2, Transue 2
Officials: Haas, Sands, Serensits
Girls’ Basketball
Notre Dame-Green Pond 44, Pine Grove 41
CATASAUQUA — Notre Dame-Green Pond held off Pine Grove in a District 11 Class 3A consolation girls’ basketball thriller.
Ava Shonk led the Crusaders with 15 points and Brenna Hammerstone scored 11 in the close victory.
Lainey Fidler hit five 3-pointers and paced the Cardinals with 15 points, while Meadow Umbenhauer added 11. Pine Grove led 22-20 at halftime, but Notre Dame used a strong third quarter to take control.
Pine Grove advances to the PIAA Tournament to take on District 12 champion Imhotep Charter (15-10) in the first round Friday, March 6, at a site and time to be announced.
District 11 Class 3A Consolation
At Catasauqua High School
PINE GROVE (41) — K. Umbenhauer 1 0-0 2, Leffler 1 1-1 3, M. Umbenhauer 5 0-0 11, Heming 1 0-0 2, Fidler 5 0-0 15, Sampson 3 2-4 8. Totals 15 3-5 30.
NOTRE DAME-GREEN POND (44) — Shonk 5 4-6 15, Schweitzer 0 1-2 1, Hammerstone 4 1-2 11, Karwacki 0 0-0 0, Boyle 3 0-0 7, Coulter 0 0-0 0, Hobbie 0 3-4 3, Beani 2 3-4 7. Totals 14 12-18 44.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| PG (14-11) | 8 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 41 |
| ND (22-6) | 10 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 44 |
