Published: December 26, 2008 11:54 pm      

Panthers, Huskies to meet in title game

EBENSBURG — Penn Cambria and Bishop Carroll advanced to tonight’s championship of the 19th annual County Seat Tournament with victories Friday night.

The Panthers won a thriller over United in the opening game at Bishop Carroll 58-56, with a last-second bucket by Josh Shope providing the difference. The Huskies then defeated Bellwood Antis 48-34.

In the Penn Cambria-United game, the Panthers took a page out of coach Jimmy Valvano’s book when his North Carolina State team won an NCAA national title in 1983. In that game, N.C. State guard Dereck Whittenburg threw an air ball that was dunked by Lorenzo Charles.

In this game, with the scored tied at 56 and the clock winding down, Penn Cambria guard Willie McMahon took a long shot that missed everything. Swope took the ball a la Charles and put it in to advance to the title game.

“It was not a designed play,” Penn Cambria coach Jim Ronan said. “(United) had one foul to give there (until they reached the bonus), so I wanted (McMahon) to put it up there even if it was somewhat of a desperation shot because we might not get any shot at all.”

United came out with a strong first-half to lead the Panthers 13-10 after a quarter and 29-21 at halftime. The Lions were pounding the ball inside to 6-foot-5 center Ross Moreau early and the big man scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the first 16 minutes.

United held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter and went into its four-corners offense to take time off the clock. However, the Lions struggled with free throws and made some key turnovers that were costly.

“We got what we wanted,” United coach Bill Clevenger said. “We missed the front end of two 1-and-1’s. In a best-case scenario, we get four points, but we got nothing.”

McMahon’s 19 points led the Panthers while Joe Dziabo added 16 and Swope had 11.

Moreau led United with 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Bobby Simon added 16 points for the Lions, who are now 4-3.

Bishop Carroll led 10-8 after a quarter and 23-12 at halftime.

“The Christmas layoff to us is like a nightmare,” Cosie Aliquo said. “But, you know what? We won.”

Jackie Moschgat led the Huskies, who are now 7-1, with 19 points. Bellwood falls to 1-4.

Tonight’s semifinal game of United-Bellwood will start at 6 with the championship game to follow at 7:30.