By HUNTER O. LYLE
lyleoleanstar@gmail.com
CLARION, PA – Returning once again to Tippin Gymnasium, the Otto-Eldred boys’ basketball team earned a spot in the PIAA Elite Eight, beating Serra Catholic 64-54.
The meeting with the Eagles comes as the second time in three years. Back in 2023, when both O-E and Serra Catholic were competing in the Class 2A bracket, the two teams faced off in the second round, with the Terrors coming out on top. Since then, both have followed similar trajectories, missing the PIAA tournament the following year before meeting once again this postseason.
The Terrors got right to work early in the contest. Breaking out of their shooting slump in the previous game, O-E kept their foot on the pedal with 3-pointers falling from Landon Franics, who hit two, and Davey Schenfield and Manning Splain, who each hit one long shot. They would hold a 14-10 lead after the first quarter before doubling down in the second. Francis would again hit a pair of 3-pointers, points accompanied by a pair of paint scores from Schenfield and another from Shene Thomas. Through the first 16 points, O-E held a 28-20 lead.
Finding themselves up by single digits to start the second half, the Terrors looked to build their lead early. Leading the charge were their big three, Splain, Thomas and Landon Francis, who combined for seven unanswered points as O-E found a 15-point lead within the first two minutes.
However, the Eagles would respond by increasing the pressure on defense. After knocking down a triple to end their scoring drought, the Eagles began double-teaming O-E’s ball handlers in the half court. Although at first, the blitz seemed to rattle the Terrors, who gave up back-to-back turnovers in the midst of a 6-0 Eagles run, O-E would settle their nerves with a timeout with about three minutes to go.
“We didn’t turn the ball over much and I have confidence in our guys shooting free throws,” said Otto-Eldred head coach Derrick Francis on handling pressure.
From there, both teams would scrap for scores, tallying back-and-forth baskets to finish out the quarter. Serra Catholic would bring the deficit to single digits with five quick points in the final 30 seconds, closing the gap to 43-34.
Facing the same intense pressure entering the fourth, the Terrors began to utilize both their speed and floor spacing. With guards Francis and Splain fighting through double teams as they crossed half court, they would crash towards the basket before finding Thomas on the low block. Finding a pair of baskets from there, Thomas would also fight for several chances at the charity stripe as he carried the load for O-E with eight consecutive points.
FILE: Shene Thomas rises to the rim during O-E’s win over the Saints in the first round of the PIAA postseason on Friday, March 7. On Tuesday, Thomas would end with 15 points as the Terrors earned a spot in the Elite Eight. | File photo by Hunter O. Lyle
The Eagles, who had scored just three points midway through the final quarter, began looking for shots around the perimeter, cashing in on back-to-back 3-pointers that once again narrowed the gap to single digits. However, just as they were gaining some momentum, their aggression on defense backfired. A foul with three minutes left put them in the bonus, sending Hunter App to the free throw line for two made shots.
With no other option, the Eagles would continuously intentionally foul. Closing the game out by shooting 10-for-14 at the line in the final minutes, the Terrors would avoid a comeback and earn a spot in the PIAA quarterfinals, being one of eight teams still in the hunt for a state championship. Along with extending their season, O-E recorded their 27th season win, a program record, while also tallying 100 career wins for this core of seniors.
“I don’t know if we played our best game but we got it done. We got it to 15 twice but we just couldn’t get that final blow. We could drive the nail but we just couldn’t drive it home,” said Derrick Francis. “We gutted out a win and it wasn’t our best. I guess that’s a sign of a good team.”
Landon Francis finished with 24 points in the win, followed by Thomas with 15 and Splain with 10.
Playing on Friday at a time and place to be announced, the Terrors will take on their third WPIAL opponent in as many games, facing Aquinas Academy.
“They’re a fast paced team. They want to score quickly. We must get back in transition,” said Derrick Francis. “They have two or three really good players and they want to put up points.”
AT CLARION
Serra Catholic (54)
Dumbnoski 7 4-7 21, Sharp 5 1-2 14, Graham 2 1-2 5, Sapida 2 1-2 5, Holmes 2 0-0 4, Walker 1 0-0 3, Underwood 1 0-0 2, Totals: 20 7-13 54
Otto-Eldred (64)
Francis 6 7-10 24, Thomas 5 5-8 15, Splain 3 3-4 10, D. Schenfield 3 2-2 9, App 2 3-4 6. Totals: 18 20-28 64
Serra Catholic 10 20 34 54
Otto-Eldred 14 28 43 64
Three-point goals: SC (7) Sharp 3, Dumbnoski 3, Walker, O-E (8) Francis 5, Splain, D. Schenfield, App; Total fouls: SC 20, O-E 13; fouled out: Underwood (SC).
