HERSHEY — Sewickley Academy won the fourth state title in program history with a 52-36 victory over Old Forge in the PIAA Class 2A boys basketball final at Giant Center on Friday afternoon.
The Panthers (30-1) had 11-0 runs in both the first and third quarters to build a comfortable lead over the Blue Devils (20-7).
“All year long, they’ve had a target on their back,” Sewickley Academy coach Mike Iuzzolino said. “I think that helped us stay locked in no matter who they were playing.”
After the first few minutes, the Panters stayed locked in as they washed away the bad taste of last year’s 55-54 loss to Linville Hill in the final.
The 11-0 run in the first quarter put the Panthers up for good. Though the Blue Devils started off hot with a quick 6-2 lead, using their 2-3 zone to temporarily hold off the Panthers, they quickly faded against Sewickley’s man-to-man defense.
Drew Steals started the run with a 3-point basket, and Caden Battles ended it with a 3-point shot a step behind the top of the arc with one second left in the opening quarter for a 13-6 lead.
“I think it’s about being relentless,” Steals said. “I think we took a step up from last year, showing maturity when things aren’t going our way.”
The second quarter was more evenly played, as the teams each scored 11 points. But even then, the Panther’s depth was showing. Sewickley had eight players score in the first 11 minutes of the game, while Old Forge had only three players score in the whole first half.
The second 11-0 run at the beginning of the third quarter put the game out of reach and overlapped with a seven-minute scoreless stretch for Old Forge.
Adam Ikamba ignited the run, scoring the first six points. He got a hoop, and the Panthers started to pressure full-court.
“Teams get ready for the press early, so if it’s not working, we take it off,” Iuzzolino said. “But we know we have it in our pocket for later.”
Battles got a steal near midcourt and set up Ikamba for a dunk. The pressure then stopped the Blue Devils with a traveling violation in the backcourt, which led to a second slam by Ikamba.
Sewickley outscored Old Forge, 14-5, in the third quarter to carry a 38-22 advantage to the final period. The Blue Devils were just 2 for 9 from the floor in the third and shot just 32% for the game.
Mamadou Kane lead Sewickley Academy with 15 points, while Ikamba added 14 points. By game’s end, 10 Panthers had scored.
Kane also led the Panthers with 12 rebounds and four assists. Team-wise, Sewickley Academy had a 35-19 advantage on the boards.
Steals had a team-high three steals and six rebounds.
Sewickley Academy’s other championships were in 1997, 2010 and 2017, with the first two being in Class A. The Panthers were also in the finals in 2004 and last season.
Camren Krushnowski and Logan Fanning had 10 points each for Old Forge, which was making its first state championship appearance since 1932.