Freeport boys’ WPIAL basketball playoff hopes take big hit in section loss to Burrell
BUFFALO TWP — The door leading to the WPIAL playoffs is not closed for Freeport boys basketball, but the Yellowjackets know they missed a golden opportunity Friday night.
Hosting WPIAL Section 1-4A foe Burrell, Freeport overcame a 13-point deficit to twice tie the game in the second quarter, only to see its offense fizzle in the second half of a 60-46 loss to the Bucs.
A win would have handed sole possession of fourth place in the section to the ’Jackets. Instead, they find themselves a full game behind Burrell for the final playoff spot with three section games remaining.
The Bucs (9-11, 5-6) completed the season sweep of Freeport (5-10, 3-6).
Freeport’s hopes of reaching the postseason may require the team to win its last three section games against Highlands, Valley and section leader Knoch, plus receive some help along the way.
“If we had won tonight, we would have made things a lot easier on ourselves,” Freeport coach Rich Macura said.
“We looked at this game as a must-win,” said Freeport’s Carson Kane, who was honored as the team’s lone senior prior to the contest. “I was locked in, wanted to win, obviously. It just didn’t happen.”
Freeport faltered early, as Burrell drained five 3-pointers in the first quarter and led 15-2 after one period.
Statistically, the ’Jackets dominated the second quarter. In that span, they outrebounded the Bucs 8-1 and committed just a single turnover.
Freeport made six of its nine attempts from the field.
With 2:42 left in the half, Gavin Tola’s two free throws pulled his team even at 20-all. Moments later, Kane’s trey knotted the game again at 23.
“We expelled so much energy to come back, then we had some calls go against us,” Macura said. “I think it drained us, physically and mentally. But credit to them (Bucs). They knocked down shots.”
Gavyn Orr and Trey Coury both knocked down a 3-pointer to help Burrell take a 31-23 lead by halftime.
Freeport was never able to regain the momentum that spurred its rally. Three more treys from the Bucs followed in the third quarter, after which the ’Jackets were in a 49-34 hole.
The Bucs shot 63% (12 of 19) from beyond the arc, making the uphill climb even more steep for Freeport.
“We’ve struggled on offense all year, and that puts a lot of pressure on our defense,” Macura said.
Ryan Wass hit five treys for Burrell, finishing with a game-high 19 points.
Paga scored 13 to pace the ’Jackets, and Kane netted 10 points.
BURRELL 60
Sam Conte 0 2-2 2, DJ Cosentino 1 0-0 3, Trey Coury 2 6-10 12, Ryan Wass 5 4-6 19, Gavyn Orr 4 1-5 11, Adam Wass 3 0-0 8, Paul Wybie 2 1-2 5. Totals: 17 14-25 60.
FREEPORT 46
Danny King 1 0-0 2, Bryson Paga 4 5-7 13, Max Zigo 1 1-2 3, Gavin Tola 2 3-4 8, Carson Kane 3 2-3 10, Brayden Riddell 1 0-0 3, Owen Westendorf 1 1-1 3, Avery Westendorf 1 2-2 4, Luke Selinger 0 0-0 0, Colin Gottus 0 0-0 0, Luke Logsdon 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 14-19 46.
Burrell 15 16 18 11 — 60
Freeport 2 21 11 12 — 46
3-point goals: Burrell 12 (R.Wass 5, Orr 2, A.Wass 2, Coury 2, Cosentino); Freeport 4 (Kane 2, Riddell, Tola).
Tuesday: Freeport at Highlands
