Both student sections decided on a blackout theme at the Penn-Trafford vs. Franklin Regional boys basketball game this Friday, shining all the light on the court where a fierce rivalry was settled.
After losing both games to Franklin last season, the Warriors would not let them win this time: even if it meant overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, scoring a buzzer-beater to enter overtime and finishing the game 59-54.
“We were all fired up for the game,” said Zach Feldman, who scored 17 points for P-T.
Throughout the game, the tables were turned constantly, and the leading team always differed from the previous quarter’s.
P-T started down in the first quarter; the Panthers doubled their score 10-5.
The Warriors turned the first table in the next eight minutes. Momentum from numerous defensive blocks by Feldman pushed the Warriors to take the lead 14-12 with 4:24 left in the second. P-T went into halftime leading 22-16.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey, the only returning starter this season for the Panthers, took over after halftime. He led the Panthers in scoring by the end of the third and led overall with 25 points. By the end of the third, Franklin Regional had reclaimed their lead 38-29.
The fourth quarter was the most important for both teams. At Franklin’s max, they had a 13-point lead over Penn-Trafford.
But the Warriors had not given up yet.
Down by seven points, and only two minutes remaining, P-T kicked it into high gear. Franklin had at least seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, allowing the Warriors to pass in the paint to Feldman, or dish to Tyler Anthony on the three-point line.
Feldman backed into his defender and scored another layup; the Warriors were only one point away (44-45) with 24.4 seconds left.
P-T was forced to foul Anthony Mitchell, who made one of his free throws with 17.9 seconds on the clock. Franklin led 46-44.
The Panthers switched to a 2-3 zone and Tyler Anthony was open on the perimeter for a three. The ball bounced on the rim, before being rebounded by Evan Gross mid-jump. Gross shot the ball into the basket while in the air, and the buzzer rang.
P-T had made it to overtime.
“I saw Tyler shoot it, and I knew he’s a great shooter so I knew it was going to be a short rebound,” said Gross. “All I had to do was crash the boards and find a way to make a play.”
The Warriors quickly took control of overtime after Feldman scored a layup and Stone made free throws. Franklin had no other option than to foul, which only increased P-T’s lead.
P-T finished off the home game 59-54, increasing their record to 3-3. This is their first section win and first win after two losses. Franklin is now 3-3.
The Warriors will play next at Albert Gallatin on Dec. 17.
“We’re going to keep rolling with the same energy. Coming off a win, we’ll all be hot,” said Feldman.
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