Devon Prep Smashes Scranton Prep 105-78 to Stun Quarterfinals!
BETHLEHEM – As the final seconds of Scranton Prep’s season were ticking away on the massive video board inside the Bethlehem Liberty gymnasium, Brody Martin refused to surrender. Each time down the court, the senior took control of the possession, drove to the basket, and converted, keeping his team’s slim hopes alive. As valiant as it was, it could not prevent a heartbreaking defeat.
Defending state champion Devon Prep proved, again, to be a nemesis to Lackawanna League teams, beating Scranton Prep, 62-55, in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals Friday. The Tide (8-18), which beat Valley View in last season’s state semifinals and in this year’s second round, advanced to the final four, where they will play District 4 champion Lewisburg on Monday. Scranton Prep, which won the District 2 Class 4A championship, ends the season at 22-6.
“We accomplished a lot this year,” Martin said through the tears shed in the postgame locker room. “I couldn’t have asked to do it with a better group of guys. These are my best friends and will be for the rest of my life.
This is more special because of the friendships that I made. ” Scranton Prep never found a rhythm shooting from beyond the arc, which had been a weapon throughout the season. The Cavaliers also couldn’t capitalize on an erratic first half by both teams, but Devon Prep, in particular, had 17 turnovers and was in foul trouble early in the second quarter.
Junior Jaden Croft scored 25 points, including 14 in the decisive third quarter, to lead the Tide, and John Doogan added 17. Braedan Fisher, head coach Jason Fisher, a University of Scranton Hall of Famer, added 10 points and came up with big baskets and free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the win as Devon Prep avenged a 73-58 loss to Scranton Prep from December. Martin finished with 17 points for Scranton Prep.