Berks Catholic will play for a state title in boys basketball.
The Saints defeated North Catholic 67-59 in the semifinals of the PIAA Class 4A boys basketball playoffs Friday night at James Buchanan High School in Mercersburg.
Berks Catholic plays District 12 champion Devon Prep, a 64-44 win over Valley View in the other semifinal, at 8 p.m. Thursday for the state title at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Bryce Gumby, who had 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, made two free throws with 27.6 seconds left to give the Saints a 63-57 lead.
With 37.6 seconds left, the Saints’ Zach Suski (9 points) drove through the North Catholic press and dished off to Gumby who hit a two-point shot for a 61-57 lead.
With about minute left in the regulation, Gumby made two free throws to give Berks Catholic a 59-55 lead.
Kingston McKoy, the BCIAA Player of the Year who had 24 points in the game, made two free throws to give the Saints a 57-55 lead with 1:50 to play.
The Saints (24-4) took a 55-53 lead with 3:48 left when freshman Carmelo Harper hit a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Berks Catholic, the District 3 champion, trailed 18-16 after one quarter as Jason Fredericks scored 12 of his 20 points in the first eight minutes for North Catholic.
McKoy had seven points in the second quarter as the Saints took a 28-22 lead at halftime.
Joe Waskiewicz scored 10 of his 12 points in the third quarter as North Catholic raced to a 47-44 lead.
Gumby (13), Harper (6) and McKoy (6) scored all of Berks Catholic’s 23 points in the final period.
Since losing to Reading High in the semifinals of the BCIAA tournament, the Saints have won seven straight games – three en route to the District 3 title and four in the state playoffs.
This story will be updated
Source: Berkshire mont