SHARON — Adrian Batts had no problem congratulating Mercyhurst Prep after an intense game Saturday at Sharon High School.
Jeannette’s longtime coach, however, was not happy with how the Jayhawks’ season ended in a 59-58 loss in the PIAA Class 2A boys basketball quarterfinals.
“You can’t come to District 10 and get cheated like that. That’s bad. You have to let the kids decide the game,” Batts said. “They call a foul 30 feet from the hoop. That’s ridiculous. I’m not taking nothing away from Mercyhurst Prep. Those kids played hard, and they earned it. But with the officials, that was absolutely horrendous. I just don’t understand why you take control of the game. That’s bad.”
Mercyhurst Prep point guard Jake DiBello-Millimaci was fouled with 6.3 seconds left as he was setting up a final play. The senior made both free throws to give the Lakers a 59-58 lead for the final points.
Jeannette (24-2) called a timeout and was able to set up a 3-point attempt by Markus McGowan from halfcourt, but it was just short at the buzzer. The shot ended a fierce game that included 38 fouls and three Jayhawks fouling out.
“Mercyhurst Prep won the game, but the officiating was horrible, absolutely horrible. Our kids played great. I’m so proud of them. It’s disheartening that the guys in the stripes take it away from the kids,” Batts said of the officiating crew based out of District 6. “We let the kids decide the game. They shot (33) free throws? That’s ridiculous. But the PIAA got what it wanted. They got two academy teams playing, so they got what they wanted. Private school, private school, private school.”
Jeannette appeared to storm back and take control late in the game after trailing 56-51 with 1:28 left.
McGowan, who dominated with 23 points, drained two three throws to make it 56-53.
Jayce Powell, who had 13 points, then stole the ball and scored to cut the lead to 56-55.
Mercyhurst Prep (22-6) missed two free throws, putting the Jayhawks in a position to win. McGowan was fouled and made the first free throw. He missed the second but grabbed the rebound and scored to give Jeannette its final lead of the game at 58-56.
Aiden Ollinger, who finished with 14 points for the Lakers, was fouled shooting a 3-pointer but made just one free throw. After Jeannette missed on a jumper, Mercyhurst Prep worked the clock down to 6.3 seconds before the foul call.
Jeannette 1,000-point scorer Kymon’e Brown was held to nine points. McAlister Steele, Powell and Brown all fouled out.
Ryan Harris and Trent Bengel scored 14 points apiece for Mercyhurst Prep.
Mercyhurst Prep finished 19 of 33 from the free-throw line, and Jeannette was 15 of 23.
Mercyhurst Prep moves on to play Sewickley Academy in the PIAA semifinals Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
“Usually, the Pittsburgh-area teams have been a gauntlet, and we’ve been fortunate to escape with some wins here,” Mercyhurst Prep coach Sean Baer said about beating three WPIAL teams in a row, including Winchester Thurston in the first round and OLSH in the second round. “You can tell by the way the boys are playing and practicing that they just don’t want their season to end.”