BETHLEHEM – As the final seconds of Scranton Prep’s season were ticking away on the massive video board inside the Bethlehem Liberty gymnasium, Brody Martin refused to surrender.
Each time down the court, the senior took control of the possession, drove to the basket, and converted, keeping his team’s slim hopes alive.
As valiant as it was, it could not prevent a heartbreaking defeat.
Defending state champion Devon Prep proved, again, to be a nemesis to Lackawanna League teams, beating Scranton Prep, 62-55, in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals Friday.
The Tide (8-18), which beat Valley View in last season’s state semifinals and in this year’s second round, advanced to the final four, where they will play District 4 champion Lewisburg on Monday.
Scranton Prep, which won the District 2 Class 4A championship, ends the season at 22-6.
“We accomplished a lot this year,” Martin said through the tears shed in the postgame locker room. “I couldn’t have asked to do it with a better group of guys. These are my best friends and will be for the rest of my life. This is more special because of the friendships that I made.”
Scranton Prep never found a rhythm shooting from beyond the arc, which had been a weapon throughout the season. The Cavaliers also couldn’t capitalize on an erratic first half by both teams, but Devon Prep, in particular, had 17 turnovers and was in foul trouble early in the second quarter.
Junior Jaden Croft scored 25 points, including 14 in the decisive third quarter, to lead the Tide, and John Doogan added 17. Braedan Fisher, head coach Jason Fisher, a University of Scranton Hall of Famer, added 10 points and came up with big baskets and free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the win as Devon Prep avenged a 73-58 loss to Scranton Prep from December.
Martin finished with 17 points for Scranton Prep. Packy Doherty, a career 1,000-point scorer, had eight points, giving him 179 in nine state playoff games in three seasons.
“This has been an amazing run,” Packy Doherty said. “I feel like every kid who I have played with these last three years is my brother. I can call them or text them anytime. Scranton Prep basketball is a family and a brotherhood. This was so special, and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”
Scranton Prep got off to a slow start shooting and fell behind, 17-8, with less than a minute to play in the first quarter. Doogan scored eight points to lead Devon Prep.
The Cavaliers chipped away at the deficit in the second quarter as Devon Prep had 11 turnovers. Packy Doherty started a 7-4 surge to end the half trailing, 25-20. Still, the Cavaliers were fighting frustration on offense, going 0 for 3 on 3-pointers and 6 of 10 from the free throw line.
“In the first half, they made runs, and in the second half it seemed that we were always climbing back, and shots weren’t falling,” Packy Doherty said. “They played solid defense; credit them, and we just couldn’t get it done.”
Devon Prep seized control with better and faster ball movement in the third. Croft also got hot from beyond the arc, draining four 3-pointers, as the Tide built a 39-26 advantage.
Scranton Prep would not go away.
Chicky Skoff scored five points, and freshman Jimmy Doherty added five points, and Devon Prep’s lead stood at 45-38.
The Cavaliers trailed, 50-43, with 4:09 remaining. Martin went to work, scoring four straight. After a Doogan free throw, Max McGrath scored on an offensive putback to draw to within 53-49.
Then, Fisher and Croft scored four straight for Devon Prep as it staved off the Cavaliers.
Martin kept getting into the lane and scoring after free throws by Doogan and Fisher. Martin’s final basket came with 25 seconds remaining, but Cooper Fairlamb made one of two free throws, and a couple of desperation 3-point attempts failed as the final horn sounded.
“We were down most of the game, especially in the fourth quarter,” Martin said. “I took it upon myself to get to the rim. I knew that I could get downhill and get some buckets. In the end it just didn’t get it done for us.”