Girard boys basketball holds off Derry for first state playoff win in 11 years
Girard led by as much as 19 in the second half Saturday, but Derry kept chipping away.
The Trojans got within five points with less than three minutes left. Then the YellowJackets stepped up.
“They made that big run and coach told us to stop playing scared and go punch them back,” said Girard senior Nate Edwards. “That's what we did as a team.”
Girard knocked down 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to beat Derry 74-65 in the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball first round at the Hagerty Family Events Center.
It is the first playoff win for Girard since 2013. The YellowJackets (24-2) move on to the second round Wednesday against District 6 powerhouse Bishop Guilfoyle. The Marauders ended Girard's season two years ago in the first round.
“It's huge we get to play them again after sophomore year when we got dropped in the first round,” Edwards said. “I'm excited to see what they have this year and I know it'll be a great game.”
Edwards scored 16 of his 22 and Kenny Godoy had 10 of his 24 points in the first half as Girard raced to a 41-26 lead at halftime.
Derry started its comeback late in the third quarter and cut the lead to 62-57 with 2:38 left. The Trojans ran out of steam and Girard settled down to take care of the ball and make clutch free throws.
“We knew we had to turn it up and play defense,” Godoy said. “We had to tighten things up and we made free throws and executed on offense. It's amazing to get to the second round as a sophomore, but I want to keep winning for the seniors.”
Zak Balogh and Geremia Dell'omo each scored nine points for the Jackets. Nathan Papuga led Derry (15-9) with 27 points followed by Stanley Rajkovich with 17 and John Wasnick with 16.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Girard beats Derry for first PIAA boys basketball win since 2013
