Big third quarter leads Tigers past North Star
By: Ed Weaver | NTL Sports | March 7, 2018 | Photo courtesy The Home Page Network
A 28-point third quarter launched the North Penn-Mansfield Tigers to a win in the play-in game of the PIAA Class AA tournament on Tuesday, March 6.
Despite a 3 1/2 hour drive, the Tigers captured their first state playoff win since 2011 despite qualifying for the tournament three of the past four seasons. Also, 2017-18 was supposed to be a "rebuilding year" for the Tigers after they graduated eight seniors and four starters off the 2016-17 team.
The Tigers found were within striking distance after the opening eight minutes, but trailed 19-13. Mansfield made up ground in the second quarter. The Tigers only connected on three field goals, but Brent Burleigh 5-of-6 foul shots to help the visitors put up 14 points. North Star outscored them by a point, 15-14, to hold a 34-27 lead at halftime.
As the first half ended and the second began, the Tigers used a 19-4 run to eventually take the lead with 3:30 remaining in the third. The Tigers held North Star to just 5 third-quarter points to break the game open and lead 55-39.
North Star made a run in the fourth quarter, and actually outscored North Penn-Mansfield 20-17, but the Tigers distanced themselves enough and never relinquished the lead in a 72-59 win.
Burleigh had a career-high 26 points and 9 rebounds. Dylan Meyer finished with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds while adding 3 blocked shots, Nick Kasper scored 11 and Garrett David finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jayden Andrews added 5 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals while Sawyer Freeman chipped in with 3 points.
Next up for the Tigers (18-10) is a rematch with Ridgway out of District 9 on Saturday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Marys High School. Last year both teams battled it out at Mansfield University with Ridgway edged North Penn-Mansfield 54-50.
Ed Weaver is the owner of Circle W Sports in Wellsboro, PA, is the Sports Director for The Home Page Network and the creator of WellsboroAthletics.com and WellsboroFootball.com. You can follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.
