25 years later, another district title for Octorara
The l-o-n-g wait is over for Octorara.
The l-o-n-g wait is over for Octorara.
Saturday at Villanova, the top-seeded Braves, using their tremendous quickness and strength to the fullest, fought past defending champion and second-seeded Holy Ghost Prep, 46-41, to claim the PIAA District 1 Class AAA title, their first district championship in 25 years.
Gene Lambert, the squad's 10th-year coach, was in middle school when his alma mater earned the district's Class AA crown in 1985-86.
"You can go home again," the 1991 graduate said with a laugh. "I'm proof of that. I can't see myself coaching anywhere but Octorara. I know all the people in this community, and they're great."
Octorara is in Atglen, Chester County, about a 30-minute drive from the Maryland border. Lambert, a resource coordinator at the school, helped the Braves win the old Southern Chester County League (SCCL) in 1990-91.
Charles Cooper, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound junior guard, scored 16 points against the Firebirds, and Lamont Clark, a 5-10, 165-pound senior point guard, had 10.
Clark, who came in averaging a team-best 15.9 points, was battling a cold. He went 0 for 5 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. "I have to fix that," the third-year starter said. "I'll be back in the gym as soon as possible."
Clark, of Parkesburg, is hearing from Alvernia, Immaculata, and Albright. He guarded Holy Ghost senior catalyst Tyler Juchno (21 points) most of the way.
Cooper had nine first-half points and Octorara, a Ches-Mont League American Conference member, led, 17-12, at the break.
"That's certainly one of the most athletic teams we've played all year," Firebirds coach Tony Chapman said. "They're tenacious. From our standpoint, they were very strong. Some of their kids were put together real well."
Early in the fourth quarter, Cooper's left-wing three-pointer put the Braves (21-5) in front, 28-22. His layup, after a steal off full-court pressure, made it 34-26 with 5 minutes, 39 seconds remaining.
Down by 38-28, Holy Ghost (20-8) used Mike DeStefano's layup, two free throws from Juchno, and Ryan Lantzy's inside bucket to close the gap to four. With 1:40 to go, Juchno made 1 of 2 free throws to make it 39-37.
"They missed some free throws, which helped us hang around," Chapman said. "We were right there. There was still enough time. But they maintained their composure to beat us."
Overall, Octorara was 7 for 19 from the line. In the final 1:27, it went 5 for 9. Ahead by 42-37, the clincher, with 46 seconds left, was Mike Navarro's offensive rebound, off Conor Kasabo's missed second free throw, and first basket of the night.
"We definitely could have played better," Juchno said. "But we can't make excuses. We have to practice hard this week and get ready for Friday."
In the first round of states, the Braves will face Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt, District 3's No. 5 seed, and the Firebirds, competing out of the west bracket, will meet Northeastern, District 3's No. 4 seed.
Holy Ghost Prep 6 6 10 19 – 41
Octorara 4 13 8 21 – 46
HGP: Tyler Juchno 21, Mike DeStefano 10, Ryan Lantzy 3, James McDade 3, Tim Lazorko 2, Chad Nowak 2.
O: Lamont Clark 10, Charles Cooper 16, Conor Kasabo 6, Mike Navarro 2, James Brown 2, Dequan Newton 2, Mauriece Bowers 8.