WILKES-BARRE, PA — In a hard-fought battle, Crestwood held off a late surge from Freire Charter to secure a 52-45 victory in the second round of the PIAA 5A state tournament on Wednesday night. With the win, the Comets punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, where they will face Strath Haven on Saturday.

Parkland survives and advances in thrilling fashion, thanks to Blake Nassrys last-second heroics. The Trojans now set their sights on Imhotep Charter in the PIAA 6A State Quarterfinals, looking to keep their championship hopes alive.

Upon arriving at the collegiate level, Merrifield wasted no time establishing himself as a versatile and reliable guard. Over the years, he has been a consistent force on both ends of the floor, earning recognition for his scoring ability, passing, and leadership.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. – In one of the most intense and hard-fought games of the season, Dunmore secured a dramatic 65-59 double-overtime victory over Notre Dame Green Pond in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A state playoffs Tuesday night at Stroudsburg High School.

Old Forges resilience and clutch shooting sent them past the No. 1 seed—now, they set their sights on the next challenge in their state title chase against Linville Hill.

The Vikings are One step closer. Riverside took care of business, but now the road leads straight through District 12s top seed. The challenge is real, and The Vikes will need to be at their best.

Holy Cross battled through a tense, back-and-forth matchup against Audenried Charter, holding on for a 58-55 victory to advance to the PIAA 3A state quarterfinals. Michael Hughes led the Crusaders with 20 points, including two three-pointers, while Matt Lyons added 17. Audenried kept it close behind Nathan Lees double-double performance, but Holy Cross capitalized at the free-throw line to secure the win. Now, the Crusaders turn their focus to District 3s No. 2 seed, Lancaster Mennonite, in the Elite 8.

Berks Catholic executed their defensive plan to perfection, limiting Packy Doherty and Brycen Martin and holding off Scranton Prep 51-47 in the PIAA 4A second round. Brody Martin (15 points), Packy Doherty (14), and Brycen Martin (11) paced Prep, but Zach Suski and Kingston McKoy (16 each) along with Bryce Gumby (12) led the Saints to victory.

Hazletons depth and balanced scoring proved too much for Liberty, ending the Lady Canes\' strong season in District 11. The Lady Cougars now turn their focus to Perkiomen Valley as they continue their journey toward a state title.

Valley View’s lockdown defense paved the way for a dominant 42-25 victory over Saucon Valley in the PIAA Class 4A second-round playoffs. Beyon McLean led the Cougars with 15 points, while Jack Robertson’s 12 points were not enough for the Panthers. With the win, Valley View advances to the quarterfinals, continuing their push for a state championship.

What stood out in this game was Marian Catholic’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc. The team hit 10 three-pointers on the night, providing a significant boost to their offensive attack. Elk Lake struggled to match that perimeter shooting, and despite a game-high 23 points from Leah Traver, the team couldn’t keep up with Marian Catholic’s balanced scoring.

Lakeland’s own CJ Dippre has taken center stage at the 2025 NFL Combine, turning heads with his impressive display of athleticism and strength. The former Alabama tight end posted a 4.69-second 40-yard dash and led all tight ends with 32 bench press reps, proving he has both the speed and power to thrive at the next level. Once considered a late-round pick, Dippre’s stock is on the rise, with many scouts now projecting him as a Day 2 selection. From his standout days at Lakeland Junior/Senior High School to refining his skills at Maryland and Alabama, Dippre’s journey has been defined by hard work and versatility. As the NFL Draft approaches, he remains one of the most intriguing tight end prospects, poised to make an impact at the professional level.

This loss was particularly tough, as it cut short their dream of another national title, a goal they had been working towards all season. It was a bitter way to end a season that had seen so much promise, and the team was understandably disappointed by the outcome.

The game was also notable for two special milestones. Ryan Miner of Northwest and Jake Antolick of Lackawanna Trail both reached their 1,000th career points during the game, a testament to their hard work and dedication over their high school careers. Miner hit his milestone first, followed by Antolick a few plays later. Both players were honored with a brief stop in play, allowing their teammates, families, and friends to recognize the incredible achievement.

Riverside wasted no time making a statement in the PIAA 3A state tournament, jumping out to a commanding lead and never looking back in a dominant 77-54 win over Southern Columbia. Behind Nico Antoniacci’s 23-point explosion and Gerry Roses 18-point effort, the Vikings rained down nine three-pointers and controlled the tempo from start to finish. A 21-9 first-quarter surge set the tone, and a 20-point third quarter put the game out of reach. With their offense clicking, Riverside now turns its attention to the next challenge, Overbrook in the second round.