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It’s playoff time, and with that comes the ever present reality that if you don’t win now, your season is over. It’s time to put everything that you’ve worked so hard for throughout the season on the line.

The Mansfield Lady Tigers took on the East Juniata Lady Tigers in their first playoff game of the season. Mansfield started slow and seemed to have a hard time getting their offense in a good rhythm. Things turned around in the second half for Mansfield and they were able to pull though beating East Juniata 42-34.

Friday night featured men’s basketball action with Mansfield hosting North Penn. This was an emotional game for many North Penn fans as they faced the prospect that this could be the last Panther basketball game to ever be played. It was a tight game throughout with neither team giving an inch. Mansfield would make a run but North Penn answered every time. The largest lead in the 4th quarter was six points for the Tigers but North Penn’s Dayton Wood shot well and brought the lead to within a point on a 2 point lay-in and a 3. The Panthers held a one point lead with just seconds to go. Mansfield had possession but the Panthers forced the Tigers’ Bryce Zaparzynski into a bad shot. Tigers’ point guard Brady Andrews happened to be in the right place at the right time. Andrews was under the basket and caught the rebound. He put it back up and turned around, looked at the clock and raised his fists in victory. It was a dramatic win for the Tigers and keep their season alive. On the other side it eliminated the Panthers from the playoffs and potentially ended the basketball program of North Penn for good with the impending closure of the school. The Panthers played with such heart till the end and it is a disappointing loss for the school and town of Blossburg. Mansfield will wait to see who they play in the semi-final round. Their 56-55 win keeps them alive for one more game.

The Wellsboro Hornets traveled to Lewisburg to face the top ranked Green Dragons. The was close early but the Hornets were overwhelmed with Lewisburg’s three point shooting. The Hornets trailed 36-26 at halftime. Wellsboro was never able to close the gap as Lewisburg pulled away in the final quarter. They bested Wellsboro 64-47.

Senior Joey Doganiero led the Hornets with 14 points and showed tons heart trying to keep his team close. Michael Pietropola chipped in 11. Senior Dylan Prough also added 5 points and 5 assists. It was a tough loss for the whole team especially seniors Doganiero and Prough as it was their last time taking the hardwood as a member of the Hornets.

For the complete recap and highlights be sure to click the video link above.

As always, thanks to WellsboroAthletics.com administrator, Ed Weaver for providing Homepage with statistics all season.