HEMPFIELD TWP — Trailing by six points midway through the third quarter, the Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic basketball team had to fall back on the lessons learned this winter from a harsh nonsection schedule.

The Trojans settled down and closed the quarter on a 12-2 run to regain a lead they never lost again on the way to a 66-55 win Tuesday over Bishop Carroll in the second round of the PIAA Class A playoffs at Hempfield High School.

“Basically, it took us two and a half quarters to start playing basketball,” said North Catholic coach Dave Long. “I thought we showed no energy in the first half and partway through the third quarter.”

But the Trojans (20-8) have been battle-tested this season thanks to a schedule chalk full of quad-A and triple-A teams.

That fortitude showed when it mattered most as North Catholic pulled away from Bishop Carroll thanks to staunch defense and free throw shooting in the fourth quarter.

“Nonsection play is important to us,” Long said. “I may have wanted to schedule the Celtics and Cavaliers in reference to the team we play next.”

Long was referring to Kennedy Catholic, who the Trojans will face Friday in the quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.

In the game Tuesday, Bishop Carroll guard David Swatsworth had a LeBron James-like first half.

Swatsworth scored 22 of his 30 points in the first 16 minutes — including 16 points in the second quarter — as the Huskies (17-9) led 35-33 at the break.

“People were wondering why we were letting (Swatsworth) score,” Long said, snickering. “Well, it wasn’t a matter of letting people score. The kid proved tonight, especially for most of three quarters, that he’s a great offensive weapon. Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the opposition based on their skills and ability.”

Swatsworth went over 1,000 career points in the loss. He and teammate Ben Eckenrode combined for 44 of Bishop Carroll’s 55 points.

Raymond Watt, the Huskies’ defensive stopper, fouled out in the fourth quarter, hindering Bishop Carroll’s comeback bid.

“David carried us in that first half,” said Bishop Carroll coach Cosie Aliquo. “I just told him, he and Raymond will be two seniors who will be hard to replace. The effort they gave us was unreal. They are as special as they come.”

Meanwhile, North Catholic had a balanced attack led by Kenny Fukon, who scored 19 points.

Erick Taylor came off the bench to score 16 points and Tristian Newcamp added 12. Austin Sieminski also had several key baskets and scored eight points.

Taylor didn’t start for the Trojans — a message sent by Long.

“I didn’t (plan on leaving Taylor out of the starting lineup) until I watched him perform at practice (Monday),” Long said. “Sometimes there’s a little more influence if you don’t trot out there as a starter for the jump ball. I felt he needed to take practices a little more seriously to prepare for the game.

“Sometimes when you dangle that carrot,” Long added, “someone’s going to jump up and bite it. Fortunately Erick jumped up high for it and grabbed a couple of rebounds along the way.”

BISHOP CARROLL 55

David Swatsworth 14-26 0-0 30, Raymond Watt 2-5 2-2 6, Alex Persio 1-4 0-0 3, Alec Ratchford 0-0 0-0 0, Ben Eckenrode 5-16 2-4 14, Jared Dalcuter 0-0 0-0 0, Alex Karlheim 0-0 0-0 0, Carson Friter 0-2 2-4 2. Totals: 22-53 6-10 55.

CWNC 66

Tristan Newcamp 2-8 8-10 12, Austin Sieminski 4-6 0-0 8, Kenny Fukon 7-11 5-8 19, Zach Offi 1-3 0-0 3, Isaiah Wilson 2-4 2-4 6, Erick Taylor 6-8 4-8 16, Dom Serventi 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 23-42 19-30 66.

Bishop Carroll 12 23 8 12 — 55

CWNC16 17 14 19 — 66

3-point goals: Bishop Carroll 5 (Swatsworth 2, Persio, Eckenrode 2); CWNC 1 (Offi)

Friday: Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic vs. Kennedy Catholic, site and time TBD