The Giant Center in Hershey Pennsylvania was the sight for the PIAA 4A state finals in boys basketball on Thursday night. Allentown Central Catholic faced off against the Hornets of Hickory High School. It was Central Catholic’s first time in Hershey since 2001, and they were hoping to take gold for the first time since 1986.
Central Catholic got out to a great start, going inside the paint to Liam Joyce to get the game started. The Vikings and Hornets traded buckets in the first quarter. It was shaping up to be a great game. Central kept going inside to Joyce time after time and it kept working. The Vikings lead was 7 (13-6) after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Central Catholic took over, getting defensive stops and turning it into offense at the other end. The Vikings also were able to get to the charity stripe and convert there as well. The half ended with Joyce converting a three-point play, giving the Vikings a 26-12 halftime advantage.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, Central’s lead grew making the score 33-14 and everyone supporting green and gold were starting to feel good. Hickory, however would hold the celebrations. The Hornets went on a 10-1 run to end the third quarter and only trailed by ten going to the final eight minutes of play.
In the fourth quarter, Hickory’s momentum continued and they got within six, which forced a Central timeout. Now only trailing 37-31, the Hornets needed a stop, and got one. On their next possession, Hickory scored a three-pointer that cut Central’s once sixteen point advantage to one. The sides would trade buckets for the next two possession. The score was 39-37 Central leading, but Hickory looked to take the lead. Sure enough the Hornets found a way, they took a 40-39 lead with 1:26 to play. Everyone was stunned. Hornets fans were celebrating and the Vikings fans were nervous. Viking Nation however would lead the Vikings to victory. The Central supporters cheered as point guard Tyson Thomas came up the court and dribbled to the bucket. He was able to get off a good look and it went in! Central took a 41-40 lead with 5.0 to play. The Vikings needed one more defensive stop to secure a state title, and they got it. Hickory inbounded the ball and was able to get a good look but the basket wouldn’t fall. For the first time since 1986, Central Catholic was the last team standing in PA!
It was a celebration unlike any other. Alumni, current students, and parents celebrated together as the Vikings won! Central overcame adversity in every game they played this year. It was no surprise they would be able to do it again when it mattered most.
In a year of uncertainty, one thing was certain, the Vikings never quit, and the result was a state title!
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”269″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]
