Gov. Mifflin boys basketball had already made enough history in head coach Garrett Etzel’s first season to make their school proud.
Hosting their first ever state playoff game was an accomplishment on its own, but Andrew Galantuomo and Jahmair Johnson said earlier this week that they’re focused on the team in front of them.
After a slow start, Gov. Mifflin began to pull away in the second half behind a scoring frenzy by Johnson. After taking a 14-point lead heading into the fourth, the Mustangs never let it fall to single digits.
Gov. Mifflin (19-8) defeated Mount Lebanon (17-10) 66-54 at the Gov. Mifflin Athletic Complex in the first round of the PIAA 6A State Championship.
When asked about the development of this senior class and the culture of the basketball team. Etzel gave flowers to a dear friend and former head coach Kyle Conrad, who passed away in 2022 after a long fought battle with esophageal cancer.
Etzel played with Conrad in high school, against him in college, and even competed as coaches when Etzel was still with Wyomissing. Conrad was the coach the year this group of seniors entered high school.
“Kyle really built the foundation for this group of kids,” said Etzel. “Knowing this is something Kyle would’ve wanted, its really special to me and to this group of kids.”
The first quarter got off to a rough start for the Mustangs. Mount Lebanon would hit four three-pointers in the opening period, including three from Liam Sheely. Despite falling in a 9-2 hole and not hitting their first field goal until 3:35 left in the quarter, they managed to rally.
Galantuomo would end the run with a three-pointer and his team would follow suit. Gov. Mifflin would finish the quarter on a 12-5 run to tie the game heading into the second and we continue on a 8-2 run to start the quarter. Galantuomo would finish with 22 points
“My shot felt pretty good in warmups and it translated to the game,” said Galantuomo. “The fans give a real momentum boost for us to go on that run.”
Mount Lebanon’s Jacob Zaber, trying to regain the lead for his team, drained three consecutive three-pointers, but the Mustangs continued to pile on the offense.
Eventually, the Mustangs were looking at a 22-9 run and a 31-27 lead at the half. Galantuomo would hit two more first half three-pointers and 15 points at intermission. Matt Koehler scored nine points of his own through the first 16 minutes.
Johnson would get the second half started for the Mustangs, scoring six points through the first two minutes of the quarter. After Johnson got it rolling, Stephen Mayo, who had two fouls early, turned the game on its head. After a turnover for Gov. Mifflin, Mayo stole the ball right back and took it coast to coast for a layup to put his team up 12.
Johnson wasn’t done making plays either. After getting a steal with under six seconds, he forwarded the ball up court to Koehler for a buzzer-beating layup. That spark would help Gov. Mifflin keep a 52-38 lead at the end of the third quarter. Koehler finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
“We have a saying ‘let the game come to us,’” said Johnson, who finished with 16 points. “We trust everyone to make plays.”
Mount Lebanon wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Even after the Mustangs pulled their lead to as large as 18, Mount Lebanon connected on two threes, forcing Etzel to call a timeout.
After a series of Mount Lebanon playing the foul game and failed clock running attempts, Gov. Mifflin finally put an end to the game with a 66-54 victory.
“We’re going to get right back in the lab to make a game plan for Upper Saint Clair,” said Johnson.
Gov. Mifflin will play Upper St. Clair (24-2) on Wednesday in the second round of the PIAA 6A Championships at a time and site to be determined.
Source: Berkshire mont
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