Giant Center March 3^rd 2007

 

4A finals

 

Harrisburg 73  Penn Manor 34

 

 

 

Harrisburg proved why it was the 6^th rated team in the PA State LLHoops,com ratings this day,and maybe, just maybe, setting the tone for a PIAA run. The mighty Cougars beat the Comets in a rough and tumble affair.  PM came into the game as the number 11^th seed as they beat TWP, Wilson, and Cumberland Valley. The Cougars rolled over Waynesboro, Chambersburg, and Carlisle on their way to the District 3 title. Harrisburg won its 9^th 4A title since the 4A classification started in 1984. The Comets appeared in the title game for the first time ever,Call it experience, moxy,  Midd Penn vs LL, more talent....Whatever you call it, this was Harrisburg's game from early on.

 

Harrisburg opened an early 4-0 lead on a jumper by 6'5" swing player, Alphonso Dawson. PM came back on a lay-up by Matt Wilson and 2 fouls by Brandon Widener.  Widener hit another drive to tie it at 6-6 with less than 4 minutes on the clock. Harrisburg ran off a 6-0 run, capped by a thunderous dunk by Ricardo Brown.

 

During the first quarter, PM had a few things go against them. The talented point/swing player, Brandon Widener suffered a leg injury at the 3:36 mark. He would come back. Soon thereafter, 6'7" 300 lbs center, Jordon Gibbs, for the Comets would pick up his 2^nd foul at the 3:24 mark. Off he goes to the folding chairs- no benches at this place J  With both stars on the bench/chairs, Harrisburg seemed to find its comfort level, while the Comets had difficulties scoring. Both Gibbs and Widener would return in the second for PM.

 

The second quarter featured the "spurtibility' and the "wow" factors that separates the 4A from the other classifications. Blocked shots, dunks, and bodies flying every which way gave the fans something to get excited about, Widener hit the first bucket for PM, followed by a dunk by Brown for the Cougars. Widener pops a three-ball : 14-11 Harrisburg. Jhordan Royal got a follow for the Burg. Gibbs hits a fouls followed by a, well,  follow by PM's 6'5" Ryan Crider. The Burg goes on a destructive 8-0 run featuring 2 dunks and a three ball. Gibbs picked up his 3^rd and off to the "chairs" he goes with 4:00 to go.. Harrisburg stretches out its lead to 31-18 with less than a minute to go. PM's jitterbug guard, Widener, gets fouled at the :01 mark attempting a three and makes all three fouls to cut Harrisburg's lead to 31-21.

 

Any thoughts the Comets had of coming back were quickly dispelled when Harrisburg turned it up into overdrive, 6th gear and/or 12 cylinders, in the third. The Burg started out on a 8-0 run featuring 2 more dunks -  Quincy Roberts and Dawson both taking turns at trying to get "10's" for their efforts. Widener hit a foul in the middle of the quarter as Harrisburg stretched its lead to 41-24. The Cougars un-leased another deadly run this time featuring the three ball. Dawson hit 2 and Laron Williams hit one as the Cougars sealed the deal. The Burg enjoys a commanding 57-26 at the end of the quarter.

 

 

Harrisburg coasted home in the 4^th. Both teams had the subs playing at the end of the game.

 

Points

Harrisburg

 

Quincy Roberts 10

Laron Williams 18

Alphonso Dawson 18

 

Penn Manor

Brandon Widener - 23

 

Stats - unofficial

Rebounds

Harrisburg 32

 

PM 20

 

 

Turnovers

Harrisburg

9

 

Penn Manor

19

 

Quotables..

 

Jeff Churchhill of PM " they are atheletic and strong,We could not get into any rythym on offense,We had a hard time with the physical play..In the second half they hit a  lot of shots,You have to give Jordon Gibbs credit as he was fighting lots of double teams..Widener can play with anybody. He is very quick and showed that tonight. He showed what he is about..We could have lost by 1 or 100 but we fought all the way and I am proud of our guys."

 

Kirk Smallwood of Harrisburg.."we did a great job on Gibbs. Sometimes we doubled him and sometimes we faked the double. That has to be one of the best defensive efforts in a district finals game."

 

Sidelines..In the girls 3A game, Lancaster Cath. lost a close game to Eastern York. Eastern handled LC's pressure just enough as the Golden Knights won 56-52,4,300 paid attendance at the Giant Center,.WHP hi def TV, channel 249 for the Lancaster Comcast folks, carried the game for Sportsfever TV. ..Ex Susquehanna TWP Coach, Emory Cook, was doing color for Sportsfever...York refs for the finals..Both PM and Harrisburg will play next Saturday close to home. The Comets will play at CV at 6:00. ..the District 3's website was outstanding this season as scores were posted quickly...the Lancaster newpapers were all over the games as the Intell, New Era and Sunday Newspapers were all courtside...Good seeing Donegal's AD and District 3 rep, Ron Kennedy, giving out awards at the games..Not sure if anymore PIAA games will be played at the Giant Center this season. The PIAA states are being played at Penn State for at least the next 2 seasons....thanks to all District 3 helpers for putting on a good tournament this season and allowing LLhoops.com to cover the games.,.The Parkside Grill remains high on LLHoops.com as one of the best food places on our stops. Try the Pitt Beef sandwichJ..Penn Manor is the only boys rep from the LL going into the states. The Comets will be in for the second year in a row.

 

~ Dell Jackson