District 1 5A Playoffs: Quarterfinal Preview

Marquis Tomlin (above) and Penncrest host Central League rival Strath Haven on Saturday. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

By Josh Verlin

3) Penncrest vs. 6) Strath Haven
The other league matchup in the 5A quarterfinals is this battle of Central League foes, who met twice during the regular season and again during the playoffs. Penncrest (20-6) won two of the three meetings, as Mike Doyle’s Lions captured a 57-52 win at Haven on Dec. 17 and a 48-44 decision at home in the first round of the Central League playoffs, though the Panthers (16-8) beat Penncrest on their home court 50-47 on Jan. 30. So no matter what, expect this one to be close, as Penncrest goes for its fourth straight 5A state appearance (the Lions won the district in ‘17 and ‘18), while Haven just won a district 5A game for the first time in three tries since the state changed classification systems four years ago.

(click on this link for all the 5A game previews)

Webmaster’s note: The Strath Haven vs Penncrest 5A Quarter-final will be audio broadcast LIVE right here on Delcohoops.com tonight at 6:45!