Saturday's Pa. roundup: Steve Payne's OT bucket sends Lower Merion into second round
Recapping the first round of the PIAA state basketball playoffs in Southeastern Pa.
Steve Payne's driving layup with five seconds remaining in overtime gave Lower Merion an 88-86 triumph over Manheim Township in the PIAA Class 6A first round. Payne finished with a game-high 26 points while Jack Forrest added 16 points. Julian Hairston, Harrison Klevan, and Josh Martin all reached double figures for the Aces. Lower Merion will play Neshaminy on Wednesday.
In other 6A action, Trevor Wall shot 8 of 14 from the field for 21 points as St. Joseph's Prep topped Northampton, 62-57. Ed Croswell contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks. Aidan Ellwood led all scorers with 28 points for Northampton, but was held to just two points in the second half. St. Joseph's Prep will take on Abington on Wednesday.
Ahmin Williams led a balanced Plymouth Whitemarsh attack with 15 points in a 71-47 victory over Dallastown. Ahmad Williams, Ish Horn, Alan Glover, and Danny Cooper all scored in double figures for the Colonials. Plymouth Whitemarsh will battle Roman Catholic on Wednesday.
Chris Arcidiacono poured in 27 points as Neshaminy knocked off East Stroudsburg, 62-47. Anthony Papeo added 15 points for the Redskins. Neshaminy will battle Lower Merion on Wednesday.
Jhamir Brickus led Coatesville with 20 points, including his 1,000th career point, but the Red Raiders lost to Hempfield, 66-53. Ryan Moffatt paced Hempfield with 29 points.
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Misrahim Nyagwegwe finished with a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds to give Dock Mennonite its first state playoff win in school history with a 67-45 triumph over Halifax in the PIAA Class 2A first round. Darius Ellis had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the victors. The Pioneers also set a school record with their 24th win of the season. Dock will play Math, Civics and Science on Wednesday.
In other 2A action, Semaj Mills scored 22 points as Math, Civics and Science rolled past Panther Valley, 101-57. The Elephants will play Dock Mennonite on Wednesday.
In other 2A action, Keshawn Hammonds recorded 27 points as Constitution took down Delco Christian, 86-53. Jabari Merritt and Damon Wall added 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Generals. Constitution will play the winner of Brockway and Bishop Guilfoyle on Wednesday.
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Arion Lewis posted 30 points, including his 1,000th career point, as Valley Forge Military Academy beat Penn Treat, 80-60, in the PIAA Class 3A first round. Marius Ntwari chipped in 20 points for the Trojans, who will play the winner of Loyalsock Township and Holy Redeemer on Wednesday.
In other 3A action, Robert Smith Jr. had 18 points as Bishop McDevitt downed Kutztown, 59-42. Tahmir Thompson scored all nine of his points coming from three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Jamil Manigo and Shamir Mosley each scored 10 points for the Lancers. Bishop McDevitt will play the winner of Wellsboro and Notre Dame Green Pond of Wednesday.
Noah Warren made five threes for 28 points as Neumann-Goretti defeated Steelton-Highspire, 80-59. Ja'Cor Smith added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Saints. Nuemann-Goretti will play Wyoming Seminary on Wednesday.
Girls’ Basketball
Nyah Garrison's deciding free throw with eight seconds gave Bonner-Prendergast a 41-37 victory over Northern Lebanon in the PIAA Class 4A first round. Alexis Gleason and Dakota McCaughan each led the Friars with 10 points. Bonner will play the winner of Bethlehem Catholic and Berwick on Wednesday.
In other 4A action, Carly Heineman scored 18 points in Gwynedd-Mercy's 77-21 win over Engineering and Science.
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Mia Kolb netted a team-high 14 points as Jenkintown defeated Christian School of York, 66-32, in the PIAA Class 1A first round. Jennifer Kremp chipped in 13 points for the Drakes, who will play the winner of Linden Hall and Southern Fulton on Wednesday.
In other 1A action, Grace Gormley ended with 21 points as The Christian Academy held off Weatherly, 49-43. Lindsay Haseltine added 15 points, eight rebounds, and six steals for the Crusaders.
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Maggie O'Hare scored 16 points as West Chester Rustin fell to Lower Dauphin, 66-48, in the PIAA Class 5A first round. Grace Day led the victors with 16 points.