The Herald, Sharon,
PA Published Sunday, March 2, 1997

WINTER SPORTS Boys basketball

DISTRICT 10 CONSOLATION FINALS

Kennedy 78
Conneaut Valley 41

Kennedy grabs state playoff berth

Defense, hustle and emotion _ hallmarks of Kennedy Christian High School boys' basketball _ resurfaced Saturday afternoon. The result is a berth in the PIAA playoffs.

The Golden Eagles recovered from a 56-53 District 10 semifinals loss to Saegertown on Tuesday by routing another French ’ Creek Valley ’ Conference club, Conneaut Valley, 78-41 at Grove City College.

By virtue of the victory, Kennedy Christian (19-8) will meet WPIAL (District 7) titlist Clairton in the opening round of the state playoffs this week at a site and time to be announced.

``I thought we got after it,'' assessed Kennedy taskmaster Joe Votino. ``I thought our defense was very good today _ better than it has been _ and our intensity and our pressure was better. We hustled.''

The Golden Eagles, who allowed an 8-point fourth-quarter lead against Saegertown to dissipate, flew to leads of 19-7 at the quarter and 40-15 by intermission, and never were challenged by Conneaut Valley.

``We played hard and we played aggressive. We played well,'' Votino said. ``If we had played this hard against Saegertown, we would have been in the championship game. But, hey, we're in the 32-team (state) bracket and that's what it's all about. And we've got just as good a chance as anybody else.''

Lamar Jefferson erupted for a season-best 16 points to pace Kennedy Christian, while Erik Hemsing and John Reimold contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively. Reimold, the freshman, turned in 6-for-7 marksmanship to pace Kennedy's 30-for-61 (49.2 percent) shooting effort. Damon Clayton hauled in a game-high eight caroms to lead the 'Birds to a 53-26 margin on the boards.

Travis Mattera and Eric Mead scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, for Conneaut Valley (13-14), which committed a dozen turnovers and connected on only 13 of 54 (.241) floor shots.

On the prospect of playing WPIAL- champion Clairton, Votino related, ``I love playing the WPIAL champs. I'm excited about it. Clairton is outstanding. They're talented, they're athletic and they run up and down the floor, just the kind of teams we used to have some success against in the past.

``But I'm not boasting,'' the veteran mentor emphasized, cautioning, ’ ``They're very good _ they're the WPIAL champs _ and if we don't play, they could destroy us.''
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Updated March 5, 1997
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