First the big news, York College did qualify for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They will be playing at Randolph-Macon in a first round matchup against DeSales. Ironic since the head coach used to be an assistant at DeSales. Salisbury also qualified as an at-large but Mary Washington did not. I figured it would be the other way around.
Monday was the District semifinals pitting York High against Muhlenberg. I can’t say I’ve ever seen Muhlenberg. First came a stop at Gift Horse for my weekly visit. The game was officiated by Mid-Penn officials which means lots of fouls and this crew lived up to that. 3 York starters were on the bench with multiple fouls within 6 minutes. Muhlenberg had a good game plan and as bad as York played it was amazing that they were only down 2 at half, that was until 2 points were magically added to York’s tally. Guess the score books didn’t match up. The second half was much of the same but when it came down to it Muhlenberg made the plays and York didn’t. When Clovis Gallon Jr. got called for a charge that could have tied the game it was pretty much over (I think the Muhlenberg player flopped but what do I know, he flopped all night). Then things got testy, one technical foul and one intentional foul later it was over. Heard things got even more testy when the Muhlenberg fans tried to leave but I was out the door by then. Muhlenberg wins 66-63. I never want to see this officiating crew again, they were awful and they missed a good game. I didn’t pay to see them blow their whistles, I paid to see the game.
Tuesday began the championships at the Giant Center. First up today was a girls AA game, York Catholic against Linden Hall, which I missed most of since I stopped for an early dinner at Appalachian in Harrisburg. I didn’t miss anything, Linden Hall destroyed York Catholic 56-27. Next was the boys AA final, Antietam against Steelton-Highspire. This one had some scoring but Steel-High was bigger, faster and stronger and they lived up to their nickname, the Steamrollers. Steel-High wins 92-57. Apparently 92 is the most points scored in a final, breaking the record of 89 held by the 2004 Rollers when they demolished Northeastern 89-48. Then finally was the boys AAA final pitting Trinity against Camp Hill in a backyard brawl. It took awhile to get this one going but once Trinity got going, they opened a double digit lead and held the Lions off. Trinity wins 72-52. It was more interesting hearing the two student sections taunt each other. Attendance for this session was not good, even though several local teams were playing.
Left early on Wednesday for an early dinner at Pizza Boy in Enola before heading to the Giant Center. Wednesday’s championships began with the boys A final between Halifax and Lancaster Country Day. Halifax had a 10 point lead but then went as cold as the Susquehanna allowing LCD to come back. Lancaster Country Day wins 51-43. Then came the girls AAA final pitting Delone Catholic against Trinity which had little excitement to it. Trinity won 44-33. Then last was the boys AAAA final featuring Lancaster Catholic and Bishop McDevitt and we finally got a competitive game. It should also be noted that both teams are the Crusaders. Reminds me of the South Park episode where they made fun of the CFL with the Roughriders playing the Roughriders. McDevitt was quicker and was able to use that to force a lot of turnovers and managed to get a fairly comfortable lead but then they started to struggle which allowed Lancaster Catholic back into the game. They got it to 1 (or it might have been 2) but McDevitt hit their free throws and forced a key turnover which prevented Lancaster Catholic from even getting a last shot off. McDevitt wins 53-48.
Thursday brought Northern York to York High for the 3rd place game. You never know what to expect out of these games but at least there would be no Mid-Penn officials. I was not there. Due to the scuffle, which was apparently much bigger then I knew about, it was played at York but with no fans other than parents. What a shame. One of the guys who was arrested was sitting near me and he was saying some really nasty things but I didn’t think anyone could actually hear him, I mean I was five feet away and could barely hear him, the gym was loud. It was frustrating with the refs and the Muhlenberg students did not help things either by flaming tensions but as an adult act like an adult. Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us jagoff. York wound up winning 86-68 and places third in the district. Watched most of the second half on the livestream.
Didn’t go up to Reading for the final district championships. Just not worth it. I’ve seen Reading win several District titles and I’ve seen Harrisburg win several titles. Just not interesting. York College took down DeSales in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 83-59. They took on Randolph-Macon, who defeated Morrisville State 85-70, Saturday to go to the Sweet 16. York kept it close for 3/4 of the game but Randolph-Morris showed why they are the #5 team in all the land in the last 1/4. York falls 78-60 ending their season.
I was going to go up to Allentown to watch Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport play hockey but with the snow coming I decided not to. Considering travel restrictions were set to go up at noon I decided that it was not worth the effort. So this was a boring weekend as I sat around the house not doing much. I did make baked ziti on Sunday so there was that. Yes, I can follow a recipe and cook something. Single ladies out there, take note.
