Jozshua Miner’s Legendary Playoff Surge: A Heroic 41-Point Performance Leads Rangers to State Final 4
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | March 15, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media
The age-old saying, "It ain't over till it's over," is one that often rings true in the world of sports, but on rare occasions, it takes a Herculean effort to turn a seemingly insurmountable deficit into victory. Today, the Northwest Rangers proved just how accurate that saying can be, overcoming early adversity, a fast start from Northgate, and a late-game scare to secure a thrilling 60-55 victory at West Branch High School.
It was a day of unusual circumstances for the Rangers. A charter bus breakdown on the way to the game left the team, coaches, and cheerleaders scrambling to find alternate transportation. Despite the early setback, the Rangers’ resilient spirit shone through. Parents picked up players and staff along the highway, and by the time the warmups started, the team had shaken off the travel drama and was focused on the task ahead.
Northgate came out with intensity from the tip-off, putting significant pressure on the Rangers and forcing multiple turnovers, giving the Rangers a quick and significant double-digit deficit. The pressure quickly translated into points, and by the end of the first quarter, the Rangers found themselves trailing 22-11. However, a late steal by Ryan Miner and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Jozshua Miner—his first of what would become many—provided a glimmer of hope as the quarter ended.
The second quarter saw the Rangers find their rhythm. Northgate, perhaps trying to slow the game down, allowed Northwest to make a push. The Rangers outscored Northgate 14-6 in the second frame, with another key buzzer-beater from Jozshua Miner, this time from near half-court, cutting the deficit to just 28-25 at halftime. The gym was buzzing with energy, as the Ranger faithful grew louder with every passing second.
After halftime, Northgate came out with renewed confidence, regaining a solid foothold and pushing their lead back up to 40-31 by the end of the third quarter. With the game slipping away, Northgate opted to slow the pace even further, trying to drain the clock by holding the ball. However, the Rangers had other ideas.
In the fourth quarter, Northwest adopted a strategy of fouling Northgate players in an effort to stop the clock and force free throws. The tactic worked, but not in the way Northgate had hoped. Despite going 9-16 from the free-throw line in the final frame, Northgate's struggles at the charity stripe allowed the Rangers to claw their way back into the game. The Ranger defense, combined with timely offensive execution, paved the way for an explosive 4th-quarter comeback.
Jozshua Miner, who had been a constant threat all game, caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his game-high 41 points in those final minutes. The crowd erupted as the game headed into the extra period, and at that moment, it was clear that this was Jozshua Miner’s time.
In overtime, Miner continued to shine. Despite Northgate’s best efforts to throw multiple defenders at him, Jozshua was unstoppable, finding open looks and draining shots with ice in his veins. The Rangers’ offense was in sync, with the starting five moving like a well-oiled machine. Free throw after free throw was knocked down, with the Rangers going 9-12 on free throws in OT, easing the tension in the stands and increasing the Rangers' lead.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Rangers had sealed a 60-55 victory, sending their dedicated fans into a frenzy. Tears of joy and relief filled the gym as it became clear that the Rangers would be advancing to the PIAA State Final 4 next weekend. Jozshua Miner’s performance was nothing short of legendary—41 points, including 8 three-pointers and an 11-12 showing from the free-throw line, with 20 first-half points, including 6 3's, and the rest coming in the second half and overtime.
Jozshua Miner has truly elevated his game to All-State levels this postseason. He has showed up in big moments, putting the team on his back when the stakes were highest. His performances in the playoffs have been nothing short of legendary. Today wasn’t an isolated incident. In their previous playoff win over York Catholic, Jozshua put up 34 points, showcasing his ability to carry the team through tough situations and keep the momentum going for the Rangers. His back-to-back performances of 41 points and 34 points in critical playoff games demonstrate why he is an All-State caliber player.
For Northgate, despite the loss, there were some standout performances. R. McKinley Jr. led the team with 15 points, followed by Kade Kemp with 14, and Dez Williams, who added 11. But even their combined efforts couldn’t stop the unstoppable force that was Jozshua Miner.
With the win, Northwest will now face Linville Hill, who triumphed over Old Forge 75-63 in their own contest today. As the Rangers prepare for their next challenge, they carry with them the momentum of a game that, for all its ups and downs, will go down as one of the most memorable comebacks in their history.
For Jozshua Miner, who had already scored 34 points in their previous win against York Catholic, today’s performance will be one for the ages. But, as he would be the first to tell you, it was a team effort. The Rangers’ unshakable bond and relentless drive were on full display, and with their sights set firmly on the state title, they’re showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
