Exeter comeback bid comes up short against West York
(This story will be updated with details and postgame reaction later tonight.)
YORK — Exeter got tantalizingly close to pulling off a huge comeback in the District 3 Class 5A Tournament Thursday night, three times trimming West York’s double-digit lead to two points.
The Eagles just couldn’t get over the hump.
The second-seeded Bulldogs hit enough free throws down the stretch to hang on for a 57-50 quarterfinal win over the 10th-seeded Eagles at West York.
Colin Payne led Exeter’s comeback bid, scoring 14 of his game-high 16 points in the second half.
The Bulldogs (24-2) advance to play No. 3 Shippensburg in a semifinal on Monday at West York.
The Eagles (12-13) meet No. 11 Lower Dauphin in a playback game to determine state seeding. That game will be played Monday at Reiffton. Exeter had already clinched a PIAA playoff berth.
Exeter trailed by 11 points in the first half but cut that lead to two points three times in the final quarter, the last at 43-41 on a pair of free throws by Payne with 3:18 left. The Eagles didn’t score again for more than 90 seconds.
The Bulldogs hit 12-of-18 free throws over the final three minutes to extend their lead.
The Eagles were on their heels much of the first half after the Bulldogs reeled off a 13-0 run to go up 13-4 6 1/2 minutes into the game. West York’s lead grew to as large as 11, at 17-6 late in the first quarter and was at 10 for much of the second.
Exeter missed 11 of its first 12 shots in falling behind 17-6.
The Eagles, who have lived on their defense all season, had trouble containing West York’s perimeter shooters and preventing Jaden Walker and other penetrate and dish off. Braedyn Detz continued to find open shots and knock them down for the Bulldogs; he hit his last four shots of the first half and had eight points at intermission.
Exeter’s best scoring option was on the inside, where 6-6 junior Anthony Caccese again made his presence known in the blocks. He had six first-half points and six rebounds.