D-11 Class 5A Boys’ Basketball: Crimson Tide comes up big in 4th quarter; captures District 11 Class 5A title

Pottsville's boys' basketball team poses with the District 11 Class 5A trophy after defeating Bangor 33-30 (Photo by Leroy Boyer).

ORWIGSBURG — It all came down to the final few minutes.

Trailing for the majority of the contest, Christian Alvarez and JuJu Bainbridge added two clutch points in fourth quarter for Pottsville in a game that was not short on defensive effort.

Alvarez, a junior, netted a game-high 14 points as Pottsville edged Bangor 33-30 in the District 11 Class 5A boys’ basketball championship game Friday at Blue Mountain High School.

“It was a true battle and that is what you expect in a district championship to be,” Crimson Tide coach Jake Wartella said. “We played really well last game, the kids might’ve thought it was going to be easier, but that was a very good Bangor team we beat tonight. They had us struggling on offense, they made us work on defense, but again, our group just finds ways to win all year. They’ve been doing it for years and I’m just so proud of this group.”

As the fourth quarter began, the Slater (17-9) led the Tide 22-18 in a game that lacked offensive efficiency on both sides. Mainly in part to both squad’s stifling defensive approaches.

Letrel Montone added a steal and bucket before Alvarez chipped in two more for Pottsville (21-6) to cut Bangor’s lead to 24-22 with 6:26 left in regulation. After an empty possession by each team, Bainbridge nailed a 3-pointer to put the Crimson Tide ahead 25-24. Hunter McShane responded with a 3 to put the Slaters back on top momentarily, before Montone added a pair of free throws to tie the contest 27-27.

Alvarez netted baskets for the Tide on back-to-back possessions, with one coming off a tremendous inside feed by Derek Watkins, to put Pottsville ahead 31-29 with 1:33 left to play in the fourth. The Slaters took a timeout before coming up empty on their next possession. After an exchange in steals, Bainbridge was sent to the line for bonus free throws as Bangor had racked in its fifth team foul in the frame. Bainbridge, a junior, sunk the pair to give the Tide breathing room.

McShane split a pair of free throws as the Slaters to cut Pottsville’s lead to 33-30 with 25.0 on the clock. Bangor went on to miss shots on two different possessions before time expired as the Crimson Tide climbed on top late and captured a 33-30 district title victory.

“Defense on both sides were great,” Wartella said. “We knew we had to score more points to win. We were getting good shots; we just weren’t making them. We had to keep our kid’s confidence up the best we can. We knew we have scorers, and they stepped up in the second half. Our defensive effort was great.”

A defensive clash it was early on as both teams were tied 6-6 at the end of a low scoring first quarter. Pottsville’s offense consisted of a pair of 3’s by Ryder Bowers. The Crimson Tide committed five turnovers, compared to Bangor’s three, in the frame.

In the second quarter, Michael Bucher took advantage of his 6-foot-6 frame and thrived in the paint Bucher added five points off two strong layup and a free throw as Bangor outscored Pottsville 7-5 in the second and led 13-11 at the half. Alvarez netted his first points for the Tide with 1:00 left to play to cut the deficit to two and set the tone for his big second half.

“We told out playmakers at halftime they got to stay aggressive,” Wartella said. We have got to get more movement on offense, but ultimately, the playmakers have to make plays for us. (Alvarez) took over the second half and willed us to a victory.”

Coming out of halftime, Alvarez was a man on a mission. The junior forward collected 12 of his game-high 14 points after halftime and got Pottsville’s offense in gear just in time.

Each squad finished with only two turnovers by the end of the third quarter, but the Slaters led 22-18. Alvarez had six key points in the frame for the Crimson Tide that helped keep things close. He added a physical basket under the hoop with 30.1 remaining in the third to cut the Tide’s deficit to four going to the fourth quarter.

Montone started the scoring for Pottsville in the fourth quarter with a strong drive resulting in two points after an offensive rebound by Watkins. Fast-forward to the 4:45 mark in the fourth when Bainbridge nailed a 3 to put the Crimson Tide ahead 25-24. Alvarez thrived in the final three minutes, adding four points and sealing Pottsville’s 33-30 District 11 Class 5A title.

“JuJu’s a bulldog and played great defensively,” Wartella said. “He gives energy, he’s a diamond on the floor, but he also made some plays offensively. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

The district championship victory marks the first for Pottsville boys’ basketball since the 2021-22 season.

The Crimson Tide will move onto the PIAA Class 5A Tournament, where they will host District 12’s Penncrest at Martz Hall in the First Round on Friday, Mar. 7 at a time to be announced.

“We’re going to celebrate this weekend,” Wartella said. “I mean, championships back-to-back weekends. Schuylkill League and district champs, I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”

Game Summary

District 11 Class 5A
Championship
At Blue Mountain

BANGOR (30) — Prado 3 2-3 8, McShane 3 1-2 9, Bucher 5 2-4 12, Gainer 0 0-0 0, Farensbach 0 1-2 1, Cruciani 0 0-0 0. Totals — 11 6-11 30.

POTTSVILLE (33) — Alvarez 5 4-4 14, Montone 1 3-4 5, Bowers 2 0-0 6, Watkins 1 0-0 2, Bainbridge 1 3-4 6, McGinley 0 0-0 0. Totals — 10 10-12 33.

Ban (17-9) 6 … 7 … 9 … 8 — 30

Potts (21-6) 6 … 5 … 7 … 13 — 33

3-point FGs: McShane 2, Bowers 2, Bainbridge

Officials: Donatelli, Hahn, Grant