Sewickley Academy’s boys basketball team left no doubt about who the best Class 2A team in the state was this season.
The WPIAL champion Panthers defeated District titlist Old Forge, 52-36, in the PIAA finals March 20 at Hershey’s Giant Center.
Sewickley Academy started out 21-0, did not lose to a WPIAL team all year and ran through the postseason 9-0 to finish 30-1 overall.
“Our kids have been focused since day one on getting better and improving every day,” Sewickley coach Mike Iuzzolino said, “and that’s reason why they were able to accomplish what they did this season — being 30-1 and winning a WPIAL championship and a state championship.”
The Panthers’ lone loss occurred Feb. 9 in overtime to a team from New Jersey, Roselle Catholic, 54-53.
Old Forge, which had 13 seniors on its team, ended up 22-7.
Star power
Sewickley Academy 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Mamadou Kane was named the PSN Player of the Game thanks to his 15 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Kane scored 13 second-half points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
“We worked hard this year; it paid off today,” Kane said.
Kane’s frontcourt sidekick, 6-8 junior forward Adam Ikamba, added 14 points to the Panthers’ cause including impressive back-to-back dunks in the third quarter.
Momentum shifts
The Panthers scored 11 points in a row late in the first quarter and at the start of the second quarter, going from a 6-2 deficit to a 13-6 lead. Sewickley did not trail the rest of the way.
Sewickley also racked up 11 consecutive points at the onset of the fourth quarter to assume a 35-17 advantage — its largest lead of the game.
“We just stayed focused, like we have all year, on playing 32 minutes,” Iuzzolino said. “We continued to apply pressure defensively to get turnovers and easy baskets at the rim.”
Old Forge went through a six-minute scoreless stretch in the third quarter and was outscored 14-5 in the quarter.
Scoring column
Nine players reached the scoring column for the Panthers, including Kane, Ikamba, senior point guard Caiden Battles and sophomore guard Drew Steals with two 3-pointers apiece good for six points and sophomore guard Connor Tull with one connection from 3-point range.
Steals had a team-high three steals and six rebounds.
No looking back
Sewickley atoned for its one-point 54-53 loss on the same court to Linville Hill in last year’s PIAA final.
“We didn’t talk about that game,” Iuzzolino said. “We just wanted to get better by one percent every day.”
Group effort
Rounding out the Sewickley scoring were senior guard Lucas Grimsley (2 points), freshman guard Eric Cracium (2), sophomore forward Rob Southall (2), senior forward Amare Spencer (1) and sophomore forward Ja’mere Guyton (1).
Grimsley, a 1,000-point career scorer, was in foul trouble as early as the first quarter.
“These kids gave every ounce of energy and effort all year long,” Iuzzolino said. “They continued to grow and develop individually and collectively as a group. It was awesome to see and be part of.”
Team-wise, the Panthers held a 35-19 advantage in the rebounding department.
The other side
Old Forge was led offensively by 6-7 senior forward Logan Fanning and 5-9 senior guard Camren Krushnowski, who netted 10 points apiece. Fanning is his class valedictorian.
Playoff run
The Panthers defeated Saegertown, 65-25; Port Allegany, 76-29; McConnellsburg, 49-38; and Mercyhurst Prep, 64-39, in their four previous PIAA playoff games.
“Those kids (at Old Forge) play hard. It wasn’t anything surprising,” said Iuzzolino, who has a 54-7 record in his two seasons as Sewickley’s floor boss. “Nothing really surprises us.”
Title history
This was the fourth state title in six trips to the finals for Sewickley in boys basketball. The Panthers also captured PIAA crowns in 1997, 2010 and 2017.
Old Forge won in its only PIAA championship game appearance in school history when it topped Erie Strong Vincent in the Class 3A final in 1932.
The Blue Devils took a nine-game winning streak into this year’s PIAA finals
Layups
Old Forge’s 5-11 senior guard/forward Cameron Parker, a 1,000-point career scorer, had 36 points in his team’s PIAA semifinal win. He had nine points in the finals and was 15 for 15 at free-throw line in his team’s last two games. … Old Forge beat East Juniata, 79-37; Delco Christian, 62-53; Delone Catholic, 51-39; and United, 64-48, in its previous PIAA playoff games. … Sewickley’s all-time record in state playoff games is 37-8; the Blue Devils are 31-27 all-time.