PENNSBURY:Falcons set to face CD East

Point guard Jesse Krasna (R) led the Falcons in their PIAA opener with 10 points.












While the Falcons fell to fourth place in the District One Class AAAA tourney, Pennsbury bounced back in states with a 51-26 triumph over North catholic March 7 at Council Rock South gymnasium.
The Falcons (23-5) continue their quest for a state title at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Geigle Complex in Reading as they take on District 3 champion Central Dauphin East (27-3), who advanced over the weekend with a 59-44 victory over Glen Mills.
The senior-laden Panthers are an experienced cast that is mentally tough and tournament-seasoned. East, the District 3 and Mid-Penn Conference king, had its A game in mothballs but still bullied their way past Glen Mills, 59-44, when senior guard Demond Bates threw in 27 points, including all 13 of his team's points in a critical third quarter.
CD East wound up with a 15-point victory despite star guard Jonathan Breeden missing his first eight shots and finishing with just a single basket.
East and its dynamic three-guard attack started by spinning its wheels against the Bulls, who had 6-10 senior Aaric Murray patrolling the paint. His presence caused the gritty Panthers problems.
But Bates single-handedly kept the prowling District 1 team at bay in the third period, hitting 11 of 15 shots after the Panthers led just 22-16 at halftime. Thanks to the left-hander's shooting, East took a 35-28 cushion into the final frame.
Following a disappointing fourth-place showing in districts, it was time for top-ranked Pennsbury (23-5) to refocus and do what it does best.
This the Falcons did in dominating style last Saturday afternoon at Council Rock South as it smothered North Catholic, 51-26, in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAAA State Tournament.
“We had a week off to get right," said Pennsbury coach Frank Sciolla. “We went back to what works for us.”
What Pennsbury also did is run a spread offense at the start of each quarter and let standout senior Dalton Pepper operate from the top of the key.
Although he did throw down two slams, Pepper finished with a quiet eight points to leave him 31 behind the all-time Lower Bucks County record of 2,211 held by former Truman star Tyrone Lewis.
But while Pepper was not having a big game by his standards, the fact he had the whole court in front of him resulted in plenty of passing lanes and opportunities for his teammates.
The rest of the Pennsbury team took full advantage with a balanced attack that also featured 10 points by Jesse Krasna, eight by Dante Devine and seven apiece from Eddie DiRugeris and Goran Dulac.
Dulac set the tone right away with five quick points, including a three-pointer, to open the game. The Pennsbury lead was only 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, but the game was basically history by the half with Pennsbury holding a 14-point lead.
The game will be broadcast live by WBCB 1490 AM starting at 7:30 p.m. with the pre-game beginning at 7 p.m.
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