Upper Moreland Takes Down Abington Heights in First-Round Thriller, 60-57
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | March 7, 2025 | Photo courtesy BL Sports Photography
In a high-intensity opening round matchup of the PIAA 5A Boys Basketball State Playoffs, Upper Moreland edged out Abington Heights in a nail-biting 60-57 victory on Friday night. Led by Jadon Cybok’s explosive third quarter, the Golden Bears (20-6) secured their ticket to the second round, where they will face York Suburban.
Cybok Catches Fire, Abington Heights Fights Until the End
The story of the night was Upper Moreland’s Jadon Cybok, who erupted for 20 points, sinking six three-pointers, including a dazzling five triples in the third quarter to push his team ahead. Cybok’s perimeter barrage was too much for the Comets (14-11) to handle, as they fell short of extending their postseason streak.
Supporting Cybok was Larry Hughes, who tallied 16 points, and Colson Campbell, who added 12. Upper Moreland used a balanced attack, hitting 22 field goals overall and going 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, which ultimately made the difference.
Despite the loss, Abington Heights’ Jordan Shaffer put up an impressive 20-point performance, connecting on four three-pointers. Senior Robby Lucas capped off his high school career with 17 points, while Andrew Kettel chipped in 8 points.
Breakdown By The Numbers
Team Stats
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Moreland | 16 | 11 | 20 | 13 | 60 |
Abington Heights | 11 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 57 |
Key Shooting Stats
• Three-Pointers: 8 each
• Field Goals Made: 22 each
• Free Throws:
• Upper Moreland: 8/9
• Abington Heights: 5/9
Player Stat Leaders
Upper Moreland
• Jadon Cybok – 20 points (6 three-pointers)
• Larry Hughes – 16 points
• Colson Campbell – 12 points
• Nate Best – 9 points (1 three-pointer)
Abington Heights
• Jordan Shaffer – 20 points (4 three-pointers)
• Robby Lucas – 17 points (2 three-pointers, 5-for-6 FT)
• Andrew Kettel – 8 points (2 three-pointers)
• Billy Johnson – 6 points
Turning Point: Third Quarter Barrage
Trailing by two at halftime, Upper Moreland outscored Abington Heights 20-16 in the third quarter, thanks to Cybok’ssharpshooting. Every time the Comets tried to claw back, he answered with a deep shot, helping the Golden Bears maintain control.
What’s Next?
For Upper Moreland, the win advances them to the second round, where they will battle York Suburban (District 3’s fourth-place team). Meanwhile, Abington Heights’ season ends in heartbreak, marking the first time in six years that the Comets failed to win a first-round playoff game.
Final Thoughts
It was a battle of two talented squads, but in the end, Upper Moreland’s resiliency and clutch shooting pushed them past a formidable Abington Heights team. The Comets fought hard, but they simply couldn’t contain Cybok’s hot hand.
