Pottsville's Derek Watkins drives on Minersville's Jordan Bowers (Photo by Danie Mae Photography).

Schuylkill League Boys’ Basketball Playoffs

Championship Preview Capsules

Pottsville (18-6) vs. Minersville (21-3)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Martz Hall, Pottsville

Tickets: All tickets are cash sales at the door. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for students. There is no senior citizen discount.

Live updates: Follow T102 Sports Now Content writer and digital media extraordinaire Eli Doyle on X @IamEliDoyle

TV/Radio: Game will simulcasted on T-102 (101.9 FM) and WAVT (1360 AM/105.9 FM)

About Pottsville

Head coach: Jake Wartella

How they got here: Defeated Mahanoy Area 54-44 in semifinals

Projected starting five: F Christian Alvarez (jr. 14.5, 7.2 rpg), G Letrel Montone (sr. 11.7 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.9 rpg), G Derek Watkins (sr. 8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.4 steals per game), G Ryder Bowers (sr. 11.2 ppg, 2 rpg), G JuJu Bainbridge (jr. 2.5 ppg)

Key reserves: C London Ivy (sr. 3.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg), C Tahlil Flucker-White (sr.), F Max Clews (soph.), F Colin McGinley (soph. 2.4 ppg)

Schuylkill League history: Pottsville knows a ton about Martz Hall and league titles. The Crimson Tide have a captured 12 league championships since 2000 (2000, 04, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22). … Pottsville is making its 16^th consecutive league playoff appearance.

About Minersville

Head coach: Dave Mullaney

How they got here: Defeated Nativity 65-51 in semifinals

Streaks: Have won eight straight games

Projected starting five: C Logan Hutsko (sr., 5.3 ppg, 3 rpg), G Shazier Bethea (jr., 15.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.3 asp), G/F Bradley Kostishak (sr., 9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.2 apg), G A.J. Halford (sr. 2.3 ppg), F Dante Carr (jr. 14.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.4 apg 2.6 steals per game)

Key reserves: G/F Dawsyn Manning (sr., 4.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg), F Jordan Bowers (soph. 5.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg), G Chase Zimerofsky (soph. 2.6 ppg)

Schuylkill League history: The Battlin’ Miners are in the league playoffs for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2015 and 2016. …. Minersville has never won a league title and last appeared in the championship round in 2002 (Shamokin def. Minersville 55-40).

Game Breakdown

Minersville has been firing on all cylinders lately, with a scoring differential of 429-246 in its last six games. … Defense will be key on both sides. The Battlin’ Miners and Crimson Tide will both look to match up man-to-man. … Expect this game to be physical, with rebounds, second-chance opportunities, turnovers and fouls certainly being factors. …. Pottsville averages 55.8 ppg as a team. The Tide will need to find their offensive stride and continue to play wire-to-wire defense. …. Limiting turnovers, staying out of foul trouble and finding the open man are all key for Minersville offensively.

— Compiled by Eli Doyle