Penncrest overcame long odds in earning its first state berth since 2010 on a magical, mystical run through the District One Class AAAA tournament.
But battling giants finally took its toll Friday, when the 28th-seeded Lions were trounced, 50-29, by Downingtown West in the ninth-place game.
Chandler Henry’s seven points led a balanced scoring effort, which included five points apiece by Nolan Carroll, Nick Ladd and AJ Taylor. Senior guard Mike Doyle missed the game due to strep throat.
Downingtown West (22-5), the No. 10 seed, received double-figure scoring from Josh Warren (16 points), Ryan Betley (14) and Don Guerrera (11).
“We played four tough, physical games in a row,’ Penncrest coach Mike Doyle said. “We’re just beat.’
The Lions’ next challenge will come in the first round of the state tournament against the District Three champion, which will be determined Saturday when Cedar Crest meets William Penn (York).
Pennsbury 65, Ridley 51: Ameer Staggs connected on eight field goals — including three from beyond the arc — in scoring 21 points, but the Green Raiders’ offense couldn’t get on track early in dropping the District 1 Class AAAA third-place game.
“We missed four free throws in the first quarter,’ Ridley coach Mike Snyder said. “It was just a slow start and we weren’t able to recover.’
The Green Raiders also couldn’t extend its defense in time to contest Pennsbury’s Cameron Jones, who drained six treys in putting up a game-high 28 points. Mekhi Bryant added 17 points for the Falcons.
Brett Foster connected on 8 of 12 free throws in scoring 17 for Ridley, which will play District 12 third seed La Salle in the opening round of the PIAA Tournament. The Explorers lost in the state final last season.