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The North-Penn Mansfield Tigers boys basketball team was in action, in the first round of the PIAA state tournament, on Saturday, March 11. The Tigers faced off against Ridgway High School at Decker Gymnasium on the campus of Mansfield University.

Ridgway, out of District 9, came into the game boasting a record of 20-4; while North-Penn Mansfield came in with an equally impressive 21-5 record.

Ridgway jumped out on the Tigers early on with a combination of pressure defense and efficient offense. Ridgway lead after one 16-9, behind 6 points each from Andy Breier and Justin Kasmierski in the quarter.

The second quarter started with Ridgway continuing to control the game, leading by as many as 15 points in the quarter. But the Tigers steadied themselves and rallied late in the quarter. Konnor Manikowski lead the comeback with 10 points in the quarter. Manikowski finished off his big scoring quarter with a three point play that pulled the Tigers to within one heading into the halftime break, 29-28.

Ridgway’s collapsing defense did a good job of containing the Tigers’ Brock Burleigh, one of District 4’s most prolific scorers. But Burleigh exploded for 9 points in the third quarter, as the senior tried to propel his team into the second round of the state tournament. A Burleigh layup early in the third gave North-Penn Mansfield their first lead of the night. Unfortunately, Ridgway was able to match Burleigh’s output in the quarter, as Kasmierski and Neil MacDonald combined for 13 points to keep Ridgway ahead 42-40 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter continued the nip and tuck affair: Ridgway unable to put any distance between themselves and the Tigers, and North-Penn Mansfield not quite able to reclaim the lead. Burleigh led the Tigers again in the fourth with 6 points, but Ridgway again matched the Tigers with two players combining for 8 points in the quarter. A late breakaway layup from Ridgway’s Breier all but sealed the 54-50 victory.

The loss wraps up the season for the North-Penn Mansfield Tigers boys basketball team. The Tigers fell short of their goal; a run deep into the state tournament, but end their season with plenty to be proud of. The Tigers won the PIAA District 4 Class AA crown, and finished their 2016-17 campaign with a 21-6 record. North-Penn Mansfield says goodbye to a group of seniors that have left a lasting impression on the program, coaches, teammates, fans, and the record books. This group of senior basketball players will be remembered, and missed, for many years to come. Despite the loss of their graduating class, including their three leading scorers, we expect the Tigers to reload, not rebuild, next season.