MONROEVILLE - It was a game in which neither team held a lead larger than six points.

But the only score Central Cambria coach Stephen Traino was concerned about suited him just fine as the Red Devils scratched and clawed their way to a 55-52 win over Knoch in a PIAA Class AAA boys first-round basketball playoff win Friday night at Gateway High School.

"We have five seniors on this team," said Traino. "And last year we got beat by Moon in the first round.

"Every one of our district playoff games were close ones and our kids are battle-tested," he added.

With the Red Devils leading Knoch 54-52, Central Cambria's Wade Klezek made one of two free throws for a three-point advantage with 5.6 seconds left to play.

The Knights had a chance to tie the score, but Ryan Hollihan's 3-point attempt was off the mark.

"For whatever reason, we simply didn't play as well as you need to play to win games at this point in the season," said Knoch coach Les Shoop.

Knoch started the game well, holding a 6-0 lead after four minutes. It would be the largest lead either team would hold during the game.

By the end of the first quarter, the Red Devils tied the game at 10.

While Knoch traded punches with Central Cambria for the rest of the first half, the Knights hurt themselves with turnovers.

"They didn't press us in the first half and we still ended up with 11 turnovers," said Shoop. "It was carelessness on our part, because we've certainly faced quicker teams this year.

"In the game, we had 16 turnovers and they had just seven," added Shoop. "There's the difference in the game right there."

Paul Jubas scored nine of his team-leading 15 points in the second quarter, helping Central Cambria (22-6) match Knoch's output of 26 first-half points.

"Paul played well for us," said Traino. "He hit some 3-pointers that got us going on offense and gave us some momentum."

Leading Knoch in the first half was Noah Gammell, who tallied eight points. He ended the game with 12.

Hollihan led the Knights with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Jordan Shoop added 15 points.

With the score tied at the break, both coaches looked for ways for their teams to gain separation.

"In the first half we had some dumb fouls," said Traino. "And (Knoch's) guards were crashing through on the offensive end and getting putbacks.

"So we told our kids not to commit the dumb fouls and to step out on defense and block out near the perimeter," he added.

The Red Devils led most of the third quarter, taking a 37-36 lead into the final period.

"One team would get up by three, then the other team would come back," said Shoop. "I think if either team could have gone on a sustained run, the game would've been theirs."

Knoch's last lead came when Jordan Shoop hit one of two free throws, giving the Knights (15-12) a 48-47 lead with 1:56 remaining.

Central Cambria's Matt Mesaros answered with a conventional three-point play with 1:32 left for a 50-48 advantage to give the Red Devils the lead for good.

Although he doesn't start for Traino, Mesaros is the leading scorer for Central Cambria. He matched his average with 14 points.

"We started off the season with 13 wins in a row with this type of rotation," said Traino. "And we decided to stay with what was working for us."

It was the final game for Knoch seniors Gammell, Keith Samek, Mark Rupert and Cory Wagner.

"I hope the kids focus on the good," said Shoop. "We made a nice run to reach the WPIAL finals."

CENTRAL CAMBRIA 55

Paul Jubas 6 0-1 15, Jeff Mazzarella 0 1-2 1, Mike Sheehan 1 1-2 3, Adam Miller 3 4-4 10, Matt Mesaros 4 5-8 14, Wade Klezek 1 3-4 5, Chris Sheehan 1 0-0 2, Augie Rodkey 1 0-0 2, Justin Davidson 1 0-0 3, Tom Brolley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 14-21 55.

KNOCH 52

Jordan Shoop 4 7-11 15, Noah Gammell 4 3-5 12, Ryan Ziacik 1 0-0 2, Ryan Hollihan 6 5-7 17, Mark Rupert 2 1-1 6, Keith Samek 0 0-0 0, Cory Wagner 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 16-24 52.

3-point goals:

Jubas 3, Mesaros, Davidson; Gammell, Rupert