Shamokin boys, Lourdes girls state bound in basketball

Shamokin Area will try to make a run at a PIAA title facing a familiar foe in Pottsville on Friday at the Shikellamy Field House.

Lourdes will face a familiar Schuylkill League foe in Tri-Valley who they played and lost to twice this season.

Both teams in last week's championship finals played their best basketball of the season. Shamokin took it to Danville from the get-go and Lourdes easily defeated East Juniata after a slow start.

Best Quote of the Playoffs

“I don’t know if the Lakers could have stopped them tonight,” Smith said. “That’s one of the best teams from District 4 in a while. Hopefully, they’ll represent the district well (in states).” Lenny Smith head coach of Danville on the Indians performance.

The Draw

Shamokin didn't get a bad draw to start in familiar foe Pottsville who they defeated by two very early in the season. With a win, they will play District 1 champ Phoenixville or the third team out of District 12, Archbishop Carrol from the Villanova area.

Shamokin has never made it past the Eastern Semi's falling in 1998 to eventually champs Steel-High on a layup from a misfired airball.

Lourdes girls have a tough draw in getting a Schuylkill League team in the first round and if the survive probably getting Northern Cambria who only has two losses out of a tough District 6.

If the Schuylkill League isn't winning the "A" title in girls it is usually District 6.