`Franklin Regional dumps Butler; Aliquippa rolls`

The Associated Press

Aaron Lovelace scored 7 of his game-high 33 points in the second overtime to lead Franklin Regional to a 66-64 victory over Butler in the PIAA Class AAAA boys semifinals in Pittsburgh.

The victory earns Franklin Regional (29-3), the District 7 runner-up, its first trip to the state finals, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the HersheyPark Arena.

Franklin Regional rallied from a 17-6 first-quarter deficit Wednesday to take a 59-56 lead into the final 17 seconds of regulation, but Butler scored three points in the final four seconds on a foul shot by Bryant Lewandowski and a layup by Ralph Deabrunzzo.

Neither team scored in the first overtime, and Lovelace scored all seven points for Franklin Regional in the second overtime, including three foul shots in the final 37 seconds.

Lewandowski led Butler (22-8), the eighth place finisher from District 7, with 22 points. Deabrunzzo added 18 in the game at the Palumbo Center.

Franklin Regional will face Plymouth-Whitemarsh, the third-place finisher from District 1, in the title game. Plymouth-Whitemarsh (29-3) earned its third title berth, and first since 1964, with a 61-49 victory over District 1 champion Glen Mills (30-3).

Plymouth-Whitemarsh won the PIAA Class AAA title in 1963 and made a return trip to the finals the following year, but the team had to settle for second place.

In Class AA boys, Aliquippa (27-3), the third place finisher from District 7, earned its fifth title berth in 12 years with a 57-47 victory over District 10 runner-up Cambridge Springs (24-7).

Aliquippa had four players score in double figures, including Richard Banks, who scored all of his 13 points in the second half. Michael Lundy added 12 for the Quips, while Brian Curenton and Charles Iacobucci had 10 each. Ivan Cilik led Cambridge Springs with 18, while Adam Jardina had 12.

Aliquippa's opponent in Saturday's title game, which will be played at 3 p.m. at Hershey, is Wilkes-Barre Meyers, the District 2 champion.

Wilkes-Barre Meyers (28-5) earned its first championship berth with a 58-56 double overtime win over District 3 champion Trinity (29-2).

In Class AAA girls, District 6 champion Lewistown (31-0) earned its first title berth with a 71-61 victory over District 7 champion Blackhawk (29-3).

Lewistown is the only school to have a team in both the boys and girls finals. Its boys team advanced to the Class AAA title game on Tuesday.

Lewistown's opponent in Saturday's title game, which will be played at 6 p.m. in Hershey, is District 11 champion North Schuylkill.

North Schuylkill (25-6) advanced to the title game for the second time in three years with a 50-46 victory over District 3 champion Cocalico (30-2).

In Class A girls, District 6 champion Williamsburg (31-0) advanced to the title game for the second time in three years with a 53-30 victory over Kennedy Christian (25-6).

Williamsburg's opponent in Saturday's title game, which will be played at 1 p.m. at Hershey, is District 11 runner-up Marian Catholic. Marian Catholic (27-2) earned its third trip to the finals with a 50-48 overtime victory over District 3 champion Columbia (28-3).

Back to TOP // Herald Sports // Herald Home page

Updated March 22, 1997
Questions/comments: herald@pgh.net
For info about advertising on our site or Web-page creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com