SL Boys’ Basketball Playoffs: Bethea, Kostishak lead Minersville past Weatherly in Schuylkill League quarterfinal clash
Minersville's Shazier Bethea is guarded by Weatherly's Ian McKeegan in Saturday's SL boys' quarterfinal basketball game at Martz Hall. The Battlin' Miners beat the Wreckers 76-42 (Photo by Kelly Wiley).
POTTSVILLE — A well-rounded effort had Minersville firing on all cylinders.
Shazier Bethea netted a game-high 25 points and Bradley Kostishak chipped in 19 as Minersville rolled past Weatherly 76-42 in a Schuylkill League boys’ basketball quarterfinals playoff game Saturday at Martz Hall.
“You always worry as coach when (the opponent) is switching defenses, are we able to adapt and adjust,” Battlin’ Miners coach Dave Mullaney said. “I thought our guys did a great of that all day. It helps when you have a point guard like Shazier Bethea, who is able to get us into things, handle the ball and all the great things he does for us.”
Bethea and Kostishak were dialed in early in the first quarter as Bethea had six points and Kostishak added five. Offensive rebounds were crucial for Minersville (20-3). Dante Carr grabbed an offensive board early and found Bethea for a 3-pointer, then Kostishak snatched one of his own and put it back for two.
Kostishak hit a 3-point play to end the first after he was fouled on a layup and got his free throw to fall as Minersville led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter.
“Bradley, he’s a different type of player,” Mullaney said. “We love his, he has great energy and he’s really smart. But when teams switch up defenses and go zone, he has such a knack for finding the ball in the middle of the zone and has amazing touch.”
The Wreckers (12-10). Found better offensive success in the second quarter. But unfortunately for Weatherly, the Battlin’ Miners continued to pad their lead.
Ian McKeegan netted a pair of free throws and hit a 3 for the Wreckers, while Corbin Wagner chipped in four points in the frame. On the other side for the Miners, Bethea, a junior, lit up the Mecca in the second. The junior guard hit two 3’s, went 4-for-4 from the stripe and added a layup for 12 points in the frame.
Minersville commanded the contest and led 41-23 at the half.
Logan Hutsko totaled all seven of his points in the third quarter for the Miners. He benefited from an assist by both Carr and Bethea. Carr found a slashing Hutsko with a no-look pass before Carr tipped an offensive board to Bethea, who found Hutsko alone in the paint.
Bethea added two more 3’s for Minersville and Carr completed a 3-point play after a layup and free throw with 6.2 left to play in the third.
Kostishak collected another offensive rebound and recycle to push the Miners lead to 70-38 midway through the fourth. Following a platoon swap, the Battlin’ Miners rolled to a 76-42 victory.
For Weatherly, Wagner and McKeegan tied a team-high 12 points.
In his second season at the helm for Weatherly, coach Luke Medico took his squad to the league playoffs for the first time in over 20 years and did it with only two seniors on the roster.
(Minersville) has depth and experience, and strength and size,” Wreckers coach Medico said. “We’re at the point where we are getting the experience. Strength-wise and size-wise, we have small a lot of small kids. They have big hearts. They played the best they possibly could, but in my opinion, Minersville is one of the best teams in the area.”
Minersville advances to a semifinals clash against Division II champion Nativity (14-8) Wednesday at Martz Hall at 6 p.m.
After the victory over @WASDWRECKERS, I was happy to talk with Shazier Bethea and Bradley Kostishak of @MinersvilleA. Watch the interview below.@D11Sports pic.twitter.com/aStjEhfRR9
— Robbie McGrath (@RobbieM_media) February 8, 2025
