7 basketball games in 6 days around the Central Susquehanna Valley

Starting on February 27th, the weather cooperated and I seen seven basketball games in six day around the Central Susquehanna Valley. Both Shamokin boys and girls teams upended number one seeds on their way to the state playoffs. The girls capped their week with the AAA championship against Athens while the boys lost a 12-point lead going into fourth quarter to lose by two to Milton.

Although for one of the few times in school history, Lourdes Regional did not qualify for district in the boys or girls brackets. However, the AAA girl final had a little of Lourdes in it. Shamokin head coach Bill Callahan graduated from Lourdes in the 80's. Athens was represented by assistant coach Joe Jacoski who graduated from Lourdes in the 70's and his daughter #25 Christina Jacoski. Joe Jacoski's uncles are none other than Lourdes first captain in team history, Paul Yucha, and Paul's brother Dr. Tom Yucha.

The Shamokin girls defense was the key limiting Athens to 11 second half points. The boys on the other hand wilted under some heavy pressure. However in a very physical game, Milton shot 25 fould shots to 6 for the Indians.

Bucknell men swept the service academies in the Patriot League tournament beating Navy on Wednesday and Army on Sunday. The Bison will travel to Worcester, MA on Friday to punch a third strait ticket to the NCAA's. The game will be on ESPN2 at 4:30 pm.