Crestwood overcame a slow start to build a double-digit lead, before fending off a late Holy Ghost Prep charge to edge the Firebirds, 60-58, in a PIAA Class 5A first-round boys’ basketball playoff game, Friday night, at Bensalem High School.
The Comets (18-8) fell behind 7-0 early and still trailed, 11-5, after first quarter, before catching fire with an 18-5 advantage in the second to take a 23-16 halftime lead. The Wyoming Valley Conference and District 2 runners-up eventually stretched their lead to 12 points, before Holy Ghost Prep made one last charge. The Firebirds (19-4) outscored Crestwood, 28-18, to pull only as close as the final two-point margin.
Gio Barna led a trio of Comets in double figures with 19 points, including three 3-point baskets; Ayden Agapito followed with 15; and freshman Miles Metz added 10, with two triples. Connor Wagaman and Jack Rodgers tossed in eight and seven points, respectively.
For Holy Ghost Prep, District 1’s third-place finisher, Jack Polek led the way with 17 points. Adam McDonald finished with 13; and William Condon had 11.
The Comets made 18-of-25 free throws; while the Firebirds converted just 14-of-32.
In the state tournament for the first time since 2021, Crestwood will meet Philadelphia Catholic League power Neumann-Goretti in the second round on Tuesday at a time and site to be announced. Neumann-Goretti routed Pottstown 95-60, in its opening round contest.
Class A Boys
Plumstead Christian 60, Weatherly 45
At Weatherly, a flat third quarter cost the Wreckers in their first-round loss to their District 1 opponent.
The Panthers led, 25-21, at halftime, before outscoring the District 11 runnerup, 16-5, in the third quarter to gain separation. Julian Desiato and Noah Kephart led the surge with seven and five points, respectively. The teams matched baskets in the final period, keeping the Wreckers from mounting a comeback.
Kephart wound up as Plumstead Christian’s top scorer with 21 points. Mason McCuen added 20, including three three-pointers in the first half; Desiato helped with 11; and Andrew Mandia chipped in six.
For Weatherly (16-9), Brandon Davis led the way with 11 points. Ian McKeegan was right behind with 10, including two triples; Corbin Wagner netted eight; Dominick Kokinda had seven; Matt Adler checked in with five and Niko Saldukas had four.
The Panthers (11-14) will take on District 3, No. 4-Coventry Christian in Tuesday’s second round at a time and site to be announced. Coventry Christian was a 58-48 winner over District 4 champion-Sullivan county on Friday.
Class AA Girls
Marian 66, Vaux Big Picture 24
In Philadelphia, DeAnna Pugh scored 15 of her game-best 31 points in the first quarter and added 10 in the second period, as the Fillies raced to a 54-17 halftime lead in their one-sided first-round victory.
Brooke Hannis-Miskar contributed 10 points for Marian. Haley Minzola and Katie Knock both hooped six and Addy Marek had five.
Valene Sames paced Vaux — the District 12 runnerup — with 12 points. Teammate Amiyah Reed tossed in six.
With the PIAA’s mercy rule in effect, the game was played with a running clock for the entire second half.
The Fillies (15-11) will face Wyoming Seminary in the second round on Tuesday at a time and site to be announced.