Abington holds off Pennsbury surge
In the first five minutes of the third quarter, when previously listless Pennsbury High School came to life and took the lead with a 17-2 run, Abington coach Charles Grasty, as is his habit, did not call a timeout.
In the first five minutes of the third quarter, when previously listless Pennsbury High School came to life and took the lead with a 17-2 run, Abington coach Charles Grasty, as is his habit, did not call a timeout.
"Our leaders are very good," Grasty said. "I told them that they were going to make a run. We wanted our guys to keep playing and to fight through it."
The Ghosts did just that Wednesday night in the boys' basketball PIAA District 1 Class AAAA semifinal. They rebounded with a 14-4 spurt to start the fourth quarter, and downed the Falcons, 49-40, at Temple's Liacouras Center.
By beating Pennsbury for the ninth straight time, including four this season, Abington returns to the district final for the first time since winning the tournament in 1986.
The Ghosts will face Plymouth Whitemarsh for the title at 8 p.m. Friday at Temple.
"To have the chance to play in a championship game, it's something I really appreciate," point guard Matt Penecale said.
His fellow senior and guard Amir Hinton led the way with 25 points and 10 boards. He shot 7 for 13 from the field (1 for 5 from beyond the arc) and 10 for 12 from the line.
Of his team's third-quarter struggles, Hinton said: "We tried to keep our composure. We told ourselves, 'We'll be fine.' "
Penecale, a four-year starter who guarded Pennsbury's Cameron Jones (nine points) most of the way, produced nine points, nine assists, and four boards.
The Ghosts (25-3) had beaten the Falcons (22-6) twice during the regular season and also in the final of the first annual Suburban One League postseason tourney.
"It's tough to beat a team two times, three times, or four times. We tried to throw out all the games in the past and focus on tonight," Grasty said.
Pennsbury's Derrick Woods, a 6-foot-8 senior center and St. Bonaventure recruit, netted 16 of his 17 points in the third quarter and had 14 boards (seven offensive).
Pennsbury 5 5 24 6 - 40
Abington 13 9 7 20 - 49
P: Cameron Jones 9, Mekhi Bryant 7, Derrick Woods 17, Nick Cereby 5, Rob Daly 2.
A: Matt Penecale 9, Robbie Heath 5, Brian Close 2, Brendan Gallagher 3, Amir Hinton 25, Jack Steinman 4, Bernard James 1.