Steel-High's Malia Tate-DeFreitas, along with Tri-Valley's Juli Weber (l) and Tara Nahodil (r), watch the final shot of the PIAA Class A quarterfinal. These three players were a part of three state playoff match ups in four years. - (Paul Chaplin, Pennive.com)

If Tri-Valley's 73-72 win over Steel-High in the PIAA Class A girls' basketball quarterfinals on Saturday felt a bit familiar, there were reasons for it.

It was the third time in the last four years that the Bulldogs and Rollers had met in the PIAA tournament.

Also, when they played in a non-league game on Jan. 5, Tri-Valley won by almost the same score. That contest was a 74-71 Bullddog victory.

Did those previous contests have any impact on Tri-Valley's win on Saturday? The Bulldogs' Juli Weber said that it did.

"I don't like playing teams we're not familiar with," said Weber, Tri-Valley's senior point guard. "It affects us because we knew what it was like to lose to them last year."

Read Eric Epler's game story on Tri-Valley's win over Steel-High

Steel-High won the 2012 quarterfinal 52-44. Weber, Tri-Valley senior center Tara Nahodil also played in the 2010 PIAA quarterfinal against the Rollers, a 34-29 win.

Steel-High's 3,000-point scorer, Malia Tate-DeFreitas, also played in all three PIAA games between the Rollers and Bulldogs, so Tri-Valley knew what was coming when Saturday's game tipped off.

"She's a great player," Nahodil said. "Every moment in the game you have to pay attention to what she's doing and where she is."

Not that Tri-Valley really stopped Tate-DeFreitas, who scored 38 points in her final game. But the Bulldogs put her and her Roller teammates in foul trouble from almost the beginning of the game.

Tri-Valley was 16-for-26 from the free throw line, while Steel-High was 6-for-7.

One Roller, Khadijah Robinson, fouled out with 7:25 left in the game.

"Once she goes out, now we get smaller, maybe three or four inches smaller," Steel-High head coach Jeff Chisholm said. "That makes a big difference."

Ceani Beaden and Tate-DeFreitas finished the game with four fouls.

"We didn't get in foul trouble, and they did," Weber said. "That saved us."

VIDEO: The last 21 seconds of Tri-Valley's 73-72 win over Steel-High

Bulldog head coach Robert Felty Jr. said that being familiar with the Rollers from previous contests helped his team stay aggressive throughout. 

"Familiarality, to me, helps the girls to relax because they know the opponent," Tri-Valley head ocach Robert Felty, Jr. said. "That was one reason I was glad they played up in the regular season. ... We are constantly in attack mode, and that's because of Juli Weber."

Even with the foul trouble for the starters, some of Steel-High's reserves made key plays in the fourth quarter.

I'jianique Simmons scored on a layup with 3:42 left in the game to give the Rollers their first lead of the second half, 63-62. Marlin Sanchez had the next two baskets for Steel-High to give the District 3 champion a 67-63 advantage with 2:51 to go.

But in the end, it was Nahodil's jumper with 10 seconds left that decided the game and put the Bulldogs in the semifinals against Southern Fulton on Tuesday. Nahodil benefited the most from Tri-Valley's aggressive play with 25 points.

"We always try to play an agressive, upbeat tempo, especially against a team with similar speed," Nahodil said. 

ON TWITTER: @David_Bohr

Collette Robinson of Hershey High School, anchors the 200 Medley Relay teams win in the finals at the Girls AAA Swimming and Diving Championships at Kinney Natatorium at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

LEWISBURG - By dominating Friday's portion of the PIAA Class AAA girls' swimming championships, Hershey had already done the heavy lifting.

Saturday evening's second and final day was about adding more to the Trojans' medal haul.

And they did just that.

"It's really awesome, because we won two years ago and then we came up here last year and lost by 13 points," said Raab.

"I think this year, we all worked really hard in practice and we did everything we could to make ourselves better, so I think this one mean so much more."

Raab bounced back from Friday's gut-wrenching loss in the 200 freestyle to capture her third straight Class AAA state gold in the 100 freestyle at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.

In the final event, Hershey completed a clean sweep of the relays as Raab, Carly DeLiberty, Vivian Tafuto and Maddy Veith swam a 3:23.19, dropping three seconds from Saturday morning's prelim swim.

"It means a lot to me, this team is the best team I've even been a part of in my life," said DeLiberty, who also won a bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke.

"We've been training for this ever since states last year, and I'm really really proud of all of these girls and everyone who came to support us."

Tafuto added a silver medal in the breaststroke and Veith and Maggie Lee won fourth place medals in the 100 free and 500 free, respectively.

And of course, there was Raab.

The Hershey junior standout had to put the disappointment of Friday's 200 free loss in the rearview mirror and focus on Saturday's 100 free final.

Raab was never threatened as she swam to a 49.12, which was just a shade off of her 2012 state record of 49.01.

"It felt great after the losing the 200, because it's my favorite event, but [Oakland Catholic senior] Leah [Smith] had a great swim, so I can't be mad at her for that," Raab said.

"Coming out and winning just proved to me that I still can come out and do what I'm best at."

On Friday, Hershey got a gold medal in the 50 free from Veith and its also broke state records in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.

Also on Saturday, Cumberland Valley junior Sabrina Mortell finished up a roller coaster two weeks and swam a season best 4:58.14 to win a Class AAA bronze in the 500 freestyle.

Two weeks ago at the District 3-AAA meet, Mortell fought through illness to clock a 5:04 and qualify as the third seed from 3-AAA.

Feeling much more rejuvenated, Mortell swam a 4:58.99 Saturday morning in the prelims.

"I actually felt really good out there," Mortell said.

"The swim felt really smooth. The fact that I could do my best time when I sick and then still come back and do something even better at this meet feels great."

FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @JohnnyTusc

Hershey junior Zach Luttrell placed third in Saturday's PIAA Class AAA 500 freestyle at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium/ - (Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com)

LEWISBURG - Hershey juniors Austin Doss and Zach Luttrell closed the PIAA Class AAA boys' swimming championships by claiming bronze medals at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.

Doss, who finished fifth in Friday's 100 butterfly, swam a 49.03 in the 100 backstroke for his bronze medal, while Luttrell claimed third in the 500 freestyle.

"I came out and worked extremely hard tonight," said Doss, who helped Hershey win the 200 freestyle relay on Friday.

"I came out fast and had my best ever 50 split. I did what I had to do and I went for it.

"I knew it was going to be a close race and I've done pretty well in the back and I was hoping that would help tonight."

Luttrell came out Saturday morning and swam a 4:32.53 in the 500. The District 3-AAA champ then dropped two more seconds seconds in the final for a 4:30.53. He also teamed with Jeremy Bauchwitz, Will Drexler and Vinny Tafuto for a sixth place medal in the 400 free relay.

Hershey, which finished second to LaSalle College for the team title, also got a fifth place medal from senior Shota Nakano in the 100 breaststroke and a sixth place medal from Tafuto in the 100 free.

"What these guys did this year was very successful," Hershey coach Greg Fastrich said.

"Where this group was in September to where they came to in this meet has been tremendous. They've grown physically and they've grown together as a team. Half of the guys here, it was their first time up here, so I think they accomplished a lot."

Cumberland Valley picked up some team points in the consolation finals as senior Seth Wenner finished 16th in the 100 free and led an Eagles' 400 free relay that placed 11th.

Wenner was joined by Ben Johnston, Zach Snyder and Jack Brenneman.

Snyder was also 11th overall in the 500 free.

FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @JohnnyTusc

Kelly Jekot and her Cumberland Valley teammates will meet Chartiers Valley in a PIAA Class AAAA semi Tuesday night in Altoona. - (Paul Chaplin, PennLive.com)

Here's your sites and times for Tuesday's PIAA basketball semifinals: 

BOYS

CLASS AAAA

Chester (1-1, 27-3) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (12-3, 24-5) at Coatesville H.S., 7 p.m.

Lower Merion (1-2, 28-3) vs. New Castle (7-1, 29-0) at Williamsport H.S., 7 p.m.

CLASS AAA

Donegal (3-3, 29-2) vs. Imhotep Charter (12-2, 26-5) at Geigle Complex, Reading, 7:30 p.m.

Archbishop Carroll (12-4, 22-6) vs. Montour (7-1, 25-4) at Chambersburg H.S., 7 p.m.

CLASS AA

Trinity (3-2, 21-7) vs. Holy Cross (2-1, 26-5) at Martz Hall, Pottsville, 7 p.m.

Beaver Falls (7-1, 26-3) vs. West Middlesex (10-1, 25-3) at Sharon H.S., 7 p.m.

CLASS A

Math, Civics & Sciences (12-2, 26-2) vs. Roberts Vaux (12-1, 22-8) at Benjamin Franklin H.S., Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Lincoln Park (7-4, 22-6) vs. Johnsonburg (9-1, 29-2) at Clarion University, 7 p.m.

GIRLS

CLASS AAAA

Spring-Ford (1-1, 30-2) vs. Cardinal O’Hara (12-1, 24-5) at William Tennent H.S., Warminster, 7:30 p.m.

Cumberland Valley (3-5, 25-6) vs. Chartiers Valley (7-2, 21-7) at Altoona H.S., 7 p.m.

CLASS AAA

Bethlehem Catholic (11-1, 27-2) vs. Villa Maria Academy (1-1, 24-5) at William Tennent H.S., Warminster, 6 p.m.

Blackhawk (7-4, 27-1) vs. South Park (7-1, 26-2) at Chartiers Valley H.S., Bridgeville, 7:30 p.m.

CLASS AA

Saint Basil (1-1, 20-8) vs. York Catholic (3-1, 28-2) at Geigle Complex, Reading, 6 p.m.

Bishop Canevin (7-1, 25-4) vs. Seton-La Salle (7-2, 27-2) at Chartiers Valley H.S., Bridgeville, 6 p.m.

CLASS A

Tri-Valley (11-1, 26-3) vs. Southern Fulton (5-2, 26-3) at East Pennsboro H.S., Enola, 7 p.m.

Vincentian (7-1, 28-1) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle (6-1, 27-2) at Indiana H.S., 7 p.m.

MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com

BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n

Donegal coach Ryan Butt and his Indians will take on Imhotep Charter on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Geigle Complex in Reading in a PIAA Class AAA state semifinal. - (DAN GLEITER, The Patriot-News)

LANCASTER - Sites and times for the PIAA basketball state semifinals have been released.

And Donegal is heading back to Reading High School's Geigle Complex for its Final Four game.

The Indians (29-2) will take on District 12 runner-up Imhotep Charter (26-5) in a state semifinal game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

COMPLETE PIAA CLASS AAA BOYS' BASKETBALL BRACKET

Donegal, the District 3 third-seed, beat Allentown Central Catholic in the Geigle last Tuesday.

The Indians are fresh off a 55-50 win over three-time reigning state Class AAA champ Neumann-Goretti on Friday.

Donegal will get another defending state champ on Tuesday:

Imhotep Charter is the two-time reigning Class AA champ, and is up in Class AAA for the next two-year cycle.

Imhotep Charter Beat Abington Heights 61-50 in the state quarterfinals.

The other state semifinal on Tuesday pits District 12 fourth-seed Archbishop Carroll (22-6) against District 7 champ Montour (24-4). That game is at 7 p.m. at Chambersburg High School.

The PIAA Class AAA boys' state championship game is Friday at 8 p.m. in Hershey's Giant Center.

REINHART ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhart77

Pennsylvania lost the Dapper Dan Sunday night, but the wrestlers that made up the team made a strong statement.

The best high school wrestling is the Keystone State.

It took a team of all stars from around the United States until the 13th and final bout to down the Pennsylvania All-Stars 22-18 at the Fitzgerald Field House on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

With the USA team leading 19-18 heading to 170, Oklahoma's Zachary Beard slipped past Canon-McMillan's Cody Wiercioch 7-4 to put the match away.

Despite the loss, the Pennsylvania crew did its damage, knocking of some of the best wrestlers in the country.

Reynolds' Austin Matthews dropped the biggest bomb, sprinting past Minnesota's Jake Short 8-2 at 152. Short was the top-ranked wrestler in the country at the weight according to Intermatwrestle.com. Matthews entered eighth.

Nazareth's Aaron Bradley also scored big, topping Blair Academy's Brooks Black 3-1 in overtime. Black entered the match ranked No. 2 in the country. Bradley is seventh.

Other winners were Norristown's Zach Fuentes (113), Milton's Ryan Solomon (220), Hampton's Jake Hart (195) and Benton's Zain Retherford (138).

In one of the featured matches, Christianburg's Joey Dance outlasted Canon-McMillan's Connor Schram 2-1 in rideout.

ELLIOTT ON TWITTER: @jelliott1011

Donegal senior pitcher Michael Houseal will continue his career at Lebanon Valley College. - (submitted photo)

LANCASTER - Donegal senior ace pitcher Michael Houseal will continue his baseball career at Lebanon Valley College.

The fireballing righty picked the Dutchmen's program over Elizabethtown and Washington & Jefferson.

He will be an Elementary Education major at LVC.

Houseal had an oustanding season for Donegal last spring.

On the mound he went 5-2 with three saves and he pitched to a minuscule 0.62 ERA. Houseal struck out 62 batters in 56 1/3 innings and allowed just five earned runs and 17 walks.

At the plate, he hit .371 (26-for-70) with nine doubles, two triples, a pair of homers, scored 21 runs, knocked in 17 runs and drew 11 walks.

Houseal plays third base for the Indians when he's not pitching.

He earned L-L League Section 3 First Team All-Star honors as a pitcher following his sophomore and junior seasons - and he'll definitely be one of the top L-L League players to keep an eye on this spring.

Houseal also earned L-L League Section 3 All-Star honors at linebacker and offensive guard for Donegal's football team last fall, when he helped the Indians go 9-2 and reach the District 3 Class AAA playoffs.

He's set to play in the L-L League Tri-County All-Star Football Game on May 25 at Manheim Central.

REINHART ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhart77

Warwick's Emily Cameron finished her prep career with seven PIAA gold medals. - (Warwick High School photo)

LANCASTER - Plenty going on in L-L League circles these days.

Donegal's boys' basketball team continues to plug along in the PIAA playoffs; the Indians are set to take on Imhotep Charter in a Class AAA state semifinal game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Reading High's Geigle Complex.

One spring sport is already underway: the boys' tennis players are exchaning ground strokes in the chilly March air.

And all the other spring sports practices have started, with games and/or meets set to start on Friday.

Meanwhile, a pair of winter sports wrapped up their seasons this past weekend, when PIAA swimming and state bowling capping their respective seasons.

Read on ...

CAMERON CAPS SWIM CAREER IN STYLE: I've covered a lot of fantastic swimmers over the years. But I've never seen a swimmer pile up victories and gold medals and records like Warwick senior Emily Cameron. She was up to her old tricks in the PIAA finals this past weekend at Bucknell, winning two more individual golds to finish her prep career with (gulp) seven gold medals - plus a bronze. Oh, and three Pennsylvania records. Not too shabby. Cameron won golds in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke, giving her three career golds in each of those events. She's also won a state gold in the 50 free - plus a bronze in the 100 free earlier in her career, giving her eight individual medals. Cameron exits Warwick holding the PIAA record in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.54), the 200 IM (1:57.74) and the 50 free (22.75). That deserves a wow. Cameron competed in the Olympic Trials last summer, and she'll take another stab at Olympic glory in three years. Her next stop is the University of Georgia, where she'll swim for the Bulldogs. Tip of the Speedo bathing cap to Cameron, who is also one of the nicest, non-ego-driven kids you'll ever meet.

ALBERT STRIKES GOLD: Cameron wasn't the only L-L League swimmer to hit the gold jackpot at Bucknell last week. Lancaster Catholic's Everett Albert hit the wall first in the Class AA boys' 200 IM finale, winning in 1:53.72. He was the No. 1 seed, according to the psych sheets, coming into the meet. Albert also finished fifth in the grueling 500 free, clocking in with a 4:39.23, to take home a pair of PIAA medals.

MORE POOL SHARKS: Four other L-L League swimmers qualified for finals in the PIAA championships at Bucknell. In Class AA boys, Northern Lebanon's Ethan Gehenio took seventh in the 100 backstroke (53.26). In Class AAA boys, Garden Spot's Andrew Schrantz finished seventh in the 100 butterfly (50.43) and eighth in the 100 backstroke (51.05). And in Class AAA girls, Hempfield's Amber McDonnell was fifth in the 200 IM (2:04.99) and Elizabethtown sprint specialist Tess Hayward finished fifth in the 50 free (23.53) and seventh in the 100 free (51.81).

___

SKY HIGH FINISH FOR BARONS' BOWLER: Manheim Central senior Aerika High, last year's L-L League individual champ, capped her high school bowling career in style, finishing third in the state singles championship last Friday at Dutch Lanes. High fell to Gateway's Victoria Smith 197-181 in the state semifinals; Smith lost to Justyne Falbo from Hempfield (District 7) in the state finale. Next up for High: She'll be a key cog for the Barons' softball team, which will be out to defend its league and District 3 titles later this spring. She's a Wagner University recruit.

PODCAST: AERIKA HIGH INTERVIEW

MORE FROM THE LANES: Seven other L-L League bowlers participated in the qualifying round - Penn Manor's Liz Burkholder (10th in qualifying), Lancaster Catholic's Sara Strausbaugh (19th) and Cedar Crest's Brittany Labarre (22nd) and Rebecca Hresko (23rd) on the girls side, and Conestoga Valley's Rodney Rippy (8th; he's the reigning league champ), Garden Spot's Matt Martin (10th) and Cocalico's Dan Hassler (11th) on the boys side. The top 12 finishers in the qualifying round were honored, with the top five finishers advancing to the final round. In the boys' final, Dan Matase from Father Judge edged Burrell's Matt Schultz, 203-198.

COMETS AND CRUSADERS, OH MY: Penn Manor's girls' team and Lancaster Catholic's boys' team advanced to the final round of the state team championships on Saturday at Dutch Lanes. Penn Manor fell to Butler 2-0 in Baker games and Lancaster Catholic fell to Hempfield (District 7) 2-0 in Baker games. Hempfield (District 7) won the boys title with a 2-0 win over Greensburg Salem, while Butler won the girls' crown with a 2-1 win over Hempfield (District 7).

___

FOOTBALL NOTABLE: Hearing Conestoga Valley is closing in on a choice for its next head varsity football coach. Tom Nichols stepped down back in February. Their goal was to have a name for the March schoolboard meeting. I'll keep you updated.

REINHART ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhart77

Here we go ... yet again.

And after splitting earlier thrillers -- Math, Civics & Sciences claimed the regular-season scrap at home; Vaux took the Philly Public League playoff at a neutral site -- these titans are about to square off for a third time.

Meaningful game? Definitely.

Not only will Tuesday's matchup at Philly's Benjamin Franklin High School decide the season series and provide one or the other with city bragging rights, but the victor also gets to play one more time.

For a state championship.

While it's obviously appropriate that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the latest PennLive.com/Patriot-News Class A basketball rankings collide at some point, unfortunately it won't be in the state title game.

Oh, well.

Should be a dandy.

Records are current through March 17.

1. Vaux (22-8) -- last week: 1 -- While Jamie Ross' Cougars had an easy time with Sullivan County (76-41) in the second round of the state playoffs, Church Farm put up a mighty scrap in Friday's quarterfinals before falling 68-64. Amir Butler and Lester Mattox shared 31 points, providing just enough cushion since the No. 5 Griffins were determined not to let Rysheed Jordan (9 points) run amok. Mattox and Butler also uncorked productive efforts against Sullivan County, combining for 28 points in the lopsided victory. Content to let the game come to him, Jordan still pitched in with 11 points and five assists. Up next is Tuesday's dustup with No. 2 Math, Civics & Sciences.

2. Math, Civics & Sciences (26-2) -- last week: 2 -- With an eye or two already focused on a potential rubber match with No. 1 Vaux, Dan Jackson's Elephants eased past Sankofa Freedom 71-59 in Friday's state quarters. Jeremiah "Lump" Worthem tossed in 25 points, while Britton Lee added 15 and sharp-shooting Louis Myers chipped in 10. Lee and Myers were effective earlier in the week, dividing 38 points as MC&S used one effective spurt to turn back then-No. 9 St. John Neumann 62-46. With three of his future Robert Morris coaches looking on -- Worthem is heading there, too -- Lee also dished out seven assists. More should come Tuesday, when Jackson's Elephants charge into their scrap with No. 1 Vaux.

3. Lincoln Park (22-6) -- last week: 4 -- Thanks to a monster effort from big fella Elijah Minnie (42 points, 20 rebounds), Mark Javens' Leopards survived a last-second heave in Friday's quarters and held off Bishop Carroll 86-84. Maverick Rowan added 23 points and Ryan Skovranko 11 for Lincoln Park, which led 48-34 at the break. Rowan, Skovranko and Antonio Kellem hooked up for 45 points earlier in the week -- the 6-8 Minnie yanked down 14 boards -- as Javens' Leopards used a late surge (18-7) to turn back Ridgway 51-34. So, with a win over Johnsonburg in Tuesday's semis at Clarion University, Lincoln Park will clinch a third straight berth in a state title game.

4. Johnsonburg (29-2) -- last week: 6 -- By sidelining Shade 54-49 and Smethport 54-43 in successive outings last week, Bill Shuey's gritty Rams ran their winning streak to 12 games and moved into Tuesday's semis opposite No. 3 Lincoln Park. Cole Peterson was the hero in last Tuesday's victory -- backcourt partner Cameron Grumley was bothered by an injury and played little -- pouring in 26 points as Johnsonburg slipped past Shade. Peterson then tacked up 14 points, while Grumley added 13 and Frank Kocjancic chimed in with 12 as the Rams sidelined 9-A playmate Smethport in Friday's quarters. Now it's back to Clarion for an all-or-nothing matchup with Lincoln Park.

5. Church Farm (23-7) -- last week: 5 -- Needing a late 19-4 rally just to survive Tuesday's second-round matchup with Mahanoy Area 42-36 -- Aondofa Anyam and Joey Shelton shared 25 points -- Marc Turner's Griffins pushed No. 1 Vaux in Friday's quarters before falling 68-64. Tyler Ofray, Mlynue Reeves and Larry Cermak combined for 40 points in Church Farm's season finale, while Anyam limited Vaux star Rysheed Jordan to just nine points.

6. Bishop Carroll (23-6) -- last week: 10 -- Outgunning then-No. 3 Vincentian for the second time, Cosie Aliquo's high-octane Huskies parlayed double-doubles from Marcus Lee (33 points, 13 boards) and Scott Ranck (27 points, 10 rebounds) into a 92-85 victory in Tuesday's second round. Brandon Martinazzi added 18 points for Carroll, then poured in 28 three nights later as Aliquo's outfit pushed Lincoln Park before falling 86-84. Ranck banked 26 points -- he had a last-second, full-court heave that nearly fell -- and Lee wound up with 16 for a Carroll side that will return four starters.

7. Vincentian (26-2) -- last week: 3 -- George Yokitis' Royals dropped just two games all season, but both came against a ramped-up Bishop Carroll outfit that liked the same frisky pace his club preferred. And despite pushing four players into double figures -- Ryan Wolf (27), Jim Kenna (20), Matt Rathz (14) and Tony DiNardo (11) -- the WPIAL champs met up with nemesis Carroll in Tuesday's second round and dropped a 92-85 decision.

8. Smethport (24-4) -- last week: Not ranked -- Riding a double-double from Zach Smith (19 points, 13 rebounds) and 12 points from Clay Schuler, Dan Zeigler's Hubbers upended Clairton 37-35 in Tuesday's second round, causing Clairton skipper Matt Geletko to unleash all sorts of post-game vitriol. Schuler netted 16 points and Smith bagged 15 -- he passed Mike Dodge to become Smethport's career scoring leader (1,628) -- but that would not be enough as Johnsonburg registered a 54-43 victory in Friday's quarters.

9. Clairton (17-8) -- last week: 7 -- Unable to solve Smethport, Matt Geletko's Bears dropped a 37-35 decision in Tuesday's second round -- despite 13 points and five rebounds from Terrish Webb. While a last-second trey from Bryon Clifford nearly fell for Clairton, converting just 1 of 9 attempts at the free-throw line also proved troubling for the Bears. Tyler Boyd, like Webb a Pittsburgh football recruit, added seven points for Geletko's club.

10. Ridgway (23-6) -- last week: 8 -- Victimized by a late Lincoln Park surge in Tuesday's second round, Tony Allegretto's Elkers tumbled 51-34 despite an 18-point effort from Sam Roselli. Josh Mitchell added eight points for Ridgway, which trailed by just six points (33-27) at the end of three quarters.

OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS

Previous No. 9 St. John Neumann (24-3) suffered through one lengthy dry spell, but that was enough to send Paul Petcavage's Golden Knights to a 62-46 loss to Math, Civics & Sciences in Tuesday's second round. Jordan Cole and Alize Johnson shared 31 points for Neumann. ... Sankofa Freedom (16-12) advanced to Friday's quarters, but lost 71-59 to Math, Civics & Sciences. ... Mahanoy Area (22-6), Pius X (21-4) and Shade (26-2) had their seasons ended in Tuesday's second round, all of them suffering close setbacks. Mahanoy led Church Farm 32-23 after three quarters, but could not hang on. ... Sullivan County (23-4), meanwhile, was overwhelmed by Vaux 76-41 in the second round. ... Bishop Guilfoyle (20-6) and Kennedy Catholic (17-7) were sidelined in the opening round.

MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com

BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n

Harrisburg loses 63-62 to Lower Merion in a PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal game - (Paul Chaplin | pchaplin@pennlive.com, 2013)

In East Shore basketball action, the Harrisburg boys and girls from Steel-High and Central Dauphin suffered season-ending losses in the PIAA quarterfinals.

Harrisburg (28-3) led 59-58 with 23 seconds left when Lower Merion star B.J. Johnson (Syracuse) took matters into his own hands. Johnson shook free for a dunk and three-point play with 12 seconds left that carried the Aces to a 63-62 win on March 16 at Reading's Geigle Complex.

Harrisburg was led by Shaquon Sheppard's 15 points and 11 from sophomore Jahaad Proctor. but it was Lower Merion that moved on to face Newcastle in the semifinals.

"(Johnson) knew he had to make a play for his team and he did," Harrisburg coach Kirk Smallwood said of Lower Merion's 6-7 star.

James Ezell and Proctor did an excellent job of neutralizing Johnson for much of the game, until the final minute.

For Steel-High's Malia Tate-DeFreitas, it was the culmination of a spectacular career that ended with a 73-72 loss to Tri-Valley (26-3).

The Rollers led with 11 seconds left when Bulldog center Tara Nahodil hit a 15-foot jumper to end Steel-High's reign as two-time defending PIAA-A champ.

Tate-DeFreitas had one last chance to win it, but her shot didn't fall. She scored 38 to finish with 3,366 for career, ranking second all-time in the state.

Jazmine Blanding had 16 for the Rollers, with Nahodil, a Seton Hall recruit, netting 25 for the Bulldogs.

The Central Dauphin girls ran into a powerful District 12 champ Cardinal O'Hara team in the quarterfinals on March 15 at Governor Mifflin.

The Lions (24-5) ran off to a 33-12 halftime lead on its way to a dominating 60-24 win. Precious Martin led the Rams (22-7) with nine points. The Rams, known for comeback wins this year, fell behind 16-6 after one quarter and never rallied.

"Instead of us fighting back in the second quarter like we usually do, they kept coming at us," said CD coach Karen Hicks.