Maples fall in first round of Class A playoffs
MT. LEBANON — Mapletown qualified for the WPIAL Class A playoffs for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, the Maples drew top-seeded Lincoln Park for the second year in a row and was out-manned once again, falling 84-27 at Keystone Oaks High School Friday night.
“Lincoln Park wasn’t missing anyone from last year’s team,” Mapletown head coach Craig Hoone said. “They’re very talented and a very good team.”
Hoone credited his team for making the playoffs once again.
“It’s a goal of ours to make the playoffs and I’m proud of our kids for the hard work they put in this year,” Hoone said. “We’re very proud of our accomplishments.”
Pitt recruit Maverick Rowan fed Elijah Minnie for an alley oop dunk on the first play of the game and it was a sign of things to come. Rowan scored 12 points in the first quarter to fuel a 26-0 lead. Rowan led all scorers with 23 points.
Mapletown broke the scoreboard in the second quarter. Eric Atwood hit a layup after a steal on the first play. The Maples found some offensive rhythm in the second quarter led by Atwood’s 5 points but they trailed 42-11 at the half.
The Leopards stormed out of the locker room after the break and took a 70-16 lead after the third quarter. The Maples kept fighting though and scored 11 points to finish out the game. Atwood led the Maples with nine points.
“We’re short on numbers and we don’t have a lot of height,” Hoone said. “Our kids don’t give up. They never have and they never will. We fight until the end.”