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Hershey >> The Devon Prep basketball team shook off some first-half jitters and used a sparkling third period for a come-from-behind 60-56 victory over Franklin, to claim the PIAA Class 3A title Saturday afternoon at the Giant Center.
It was the Tide’s second championship in three years. Devon beat Aliquippa to earn the crown in 2022.
Devon (15-13) outscored the Knights, 21-13, in the third to take a 46-37 lead. The Tide put four players in double figures with Zane Conlon leading the way with 20 points along with eight rebounds. Reece Craft added 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
“That is sort of me and Reece’s game,” Conlon said. “We like to bang underneath and get busy. They were very tough, but we came through in the end. It is such an amazing feeling to win a state championship.”
The Tide led 25-24 at halftime, then turned up the tempo in the third. Shane Doyle drained two 3-pointers, while Conlon did damage underneath.
“The message at halftime was to relax,” Devon coach Jason Fisher said. “I thought we were a little too timid in the first half and passed up some shots we normally take.”
The Knights (24-6) did not go away easily, They outscored the Tide, 19-14, in the fourth. When Cole Buckley scored inside with 2:23 to go, the game was tied at 50-50.
The Tide got a huge 3-pointer from Zach Orchard to make it 53-50. Orchard came off the bench to score 11 points. The Tide shot 19-for-42 (45 percent) from the field for the game and eight-for-19 (42 percent) from beyond the arc.
“I just tried to stay ready and when I took the shot, it felt real good,” Orchard said, ”Two years ago when we won the title, I was on JV. So, to win this in my senior year is an amazing feeling.”
Franklin tried valiantly, but misfired on four 3-pointers in the last two minutes. The Tide hit big free throws late — four from Doyle — and hung on for the win.
“Zach hit such a big shot for us,“ Fisher said. ”He works and works and is always in the gym. We had a different starting lineup for every postseason game and all the guys came through.
“I am really happy for all the kids. This group has a special bond, a closeness on and off the court and they truly deserve this championship. They won a tough game against a very good and well-coached team.”
Devon Prep 60, Franklin Area 56
DEVON PREP: Doyle 4 5-8 11, Craft 3 5-6 11, Orchard 4 0-2 11, Conlon 7 4-5 20, Fairlamb 1 0-0 3, Pergolis 0 0-0 0, McClendon 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 14-21 60.
FRANKLIN: Dr. Payne 1 1-2 3, Da. Payne 3 5-9 12, Buckley 8 2-3 20, Wood 5 5-6 16, Curry 2 0-0 5. Totals 19 12-18 56.
Devon Prep 14 11 21 14 – 60
Franklin Area 11 13 13 19 – 56
3-point goals: Doyle 2, Orchard 3, Conlon 2, Fairlamb, Da. Payne, Buckley 2, Wood, Curry.
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