Wed. Pa. boys’ and girls’ roundup: Holy Ghost, Octorara advance

Holy Ghost Prep's Tyler Juchno demonstrated just why he was named the Bicentennial League's boys' basketball player of the year with a stellar performance in his team's most important game of the season Wednesday night.

At Council Rock South, before a largely partisan Firebirds crowd, the 6-foot-1 senior guard scored a season-high 30 points in leading his second-seeded team to a 54-44 District 1 Class AAA semifinal win over Bishop Shanahan, the No. 6 seed.

Juchno helped end any hope the Eagles had for a comeback with an outstanding final quarter, scoring half of his points in the final eight minutes.

The win propelled the defending district champion Firebirds back into the final on Saturday night at Villanova against top-seeded Octorara.

Juchno did most of his fourth-quarter damage from the free-throw line, making 11 of his 12 attempts.

Mike DeStefano chipped in with 10 points for the Firebirds (20-7). Ryan Lantzy added eight points and nine rebounds.

Mike Ibarguen and Anthony Sam each had 11 points to lead the Eagles (15-10).

Sam scored nine of his points on three-point shots.

Also at Council Rock South, Octorara handled fourth-seeded Pope John Paul II, 53-40, in the other semifinal as junior guard Charles Cooper scored 14 points and made all 10 of his free throws. The Braves are now 20-5.

District 12 Class AAA. In a third-place game at Southern, Yosef Yacob scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as Archbishop Carroll held off Boys' Latin, 72-61.

At Southern, Lansdale Catholic built a big early lead and held on for a 39-35 win over Freire Charter in a District 12 Class AAA third-place game.

The Crusaders (13-11) got 13 points from Shea Wassel and 10 more from Jackie McCarron.

After opening the second half with a 14-5 run, Lansdale Catholic opened up a 25-15 lead.

The Dragons (17-8) came back in the final quarter with a 20-14 run, but could get no closer than the final score.

Chantal Thomas led Freire Charter with 15 points and 6-foot-2 freshman Chelsea Woods added 12.

District 1 Class A. At Plymouth Whitemarsh, second-seeded Sacred Heart closed out the game with a 14-4 run to beat third-seeded Girard College, 47-40, in a semifinal. Jayni Webster's 16 points led the Lions (12-12).

In the other semifinal at Plymouth Whitemarsh, Stacey MacArthur had 19 points for Delco Christian in a 59-20 win over Morrisville.

District 1 Class AA. At Wissahickon, second-seeded Springfield (Montgomery County) needed overtime to beat No. 3 Lower Moreland, 54-48, in a semifinal.

The Spartans (20-9) accomplished the win largely due to some outstanding free-throw shooting, making 18 of 22 for the game.

Annie Crudele, who scored 19 points to lead the Spartans, made five of her six free throws and Elise DiFilippo added 14 points, 10 in the second half. DiFilippo made all eight of her free throws. Taylor Koroncai added 10 points for the Spartans.

The Lions (19-10) were paced by Ali Morganstein, who scored 14 points.

Springfield made five of its six free throws in overtime.

In the other Class AA semifinal at Wissahickon, Christopher Dock coasted to a 69-42 win over Bristol behind starters Denali Althouse and Olivia Bradford, who each scored 14 points. Laura Swintosky added 13 for the Pioneers and 10 of those came in the first half.

The Spartans will play top-seeded Christopher Dock in the championship game on Saturday (2 p.m.) at Villanova University.

District 1 Class AAAA. In a consolation-round game, Taylor Bryant hit two free throws with 15 seconds left to seal Upper Dublin's 36-33 win at Pioneer Athletic Conference champion Boyertown. Bryant finished with 13 points to lead the Cardinals (22-4), who also got 10 points from Sarah Hallowell.

Bryant's free throws gave the Cardinals an insurmountable 36-32 lead.

In other consolation-round games:

Host Downingtown West got 17 points from Brittany Sicinski in a 51-35 win over North Penn.

Austin Hamler's early hot hand helped No. 4 Cheltenham to a 47-44 win over visiting Central Bucks East in a battle between Suburban One conference champions.

Hamler scored 10 of the first 16 points of the game for the Suburban One American Conference champion Panthers. Melissa Remmey had 23 points for the Patriots.