The West Branch boys basketball team advanced to the Philipsburg-Osceola Holiday Tournament championship game on Friday night after defeating Bald Eagle Area 67-42.
In addition, the win was the 200th victory for Warriors head coach Danny Clark since he succeeded Bill Etchison 13 years ago.
“It was another great team win,” Clark explained. “This is such a great program and starts with all my coaches the last 13 years. I’m so thankful for Eric McCracken and Nik Bisko when we all first started. They did our junior high and elementary and were great and my best friends.”
“Dave Catanzaro has been with be the last three years, eight in total and I’m so lucky to have him and Chad (Koleno) the last two years. The same with Parker (Emigh) with the junior high program the last three years.”
“I love this program and these kids. We expect to win every night whether it’s practice or a game.”
After the first quarter, West Branch had a 19–7 lead and never looked back, winning their eighth game of the year.
Dylan McGonigal led the Warriors with 23 points, while four other players were in double figures.
Lukas Colton finished with 10 points and six assists, and Joel Evans contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. Owen Koleno finished the game with ten points as well.
The final game between West Branch and St. Joseph’s Academy, who defeated P-O 49-47, is scheduled for this evening at 7:30.
At 6 p.m., the Eagles take on the Mounties in the consolation game.
West Branch—67
Colton 3 2-2 10, Evans 6 1-2 13, McGonigal 8 0-0 23, Koleno 5 0-0 10, Ea. Emigh 2 0-0 5, Kephart 0 0-0 0, Liptak 0 0-0 0, Gibson 1 2-2 4, Danko 1 0-0 2, Esposti 0 0-0 0, Ev. Emigh 0 0-0 0, Fluck 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 5-6 67.
Bald Eagle Area—42
Millward 1 2-2 5, Hostand 0 0-0 0, Wolf 5 1-2 15, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Cowan 6 4-4 16, Habovick 0 0-0 0, Cane 1 0-0 2, Clark 0 0-2 0, Klinefelter 0 0-0 0, Spackman 2 0-0 4. Totals: 15 7-10 42.
Three-pointers: McGonigal 7, Colton 2, Ea. Emigh. Millward, Wolf 4.
Score by Quarters
West Branch 19 21 15 12—67
Bald Eagle 7 13 15 7—42