Uniting the 215

Connor Robertson, Student Writer

The Pennridge Boys Basketball Team ended their historic season on Saturday March 23. The boys fought all the way to the PIAA 6A State Championship against all the odds.  The matchup was a tough one, but the boys played their hearts out. They faced Kennedy Catholic, a private high school located in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, ranked seventh in the nation, with multiple NCAA Division I recruits.  Leading Kennedy Catholic was Oscar Tshiebwe, a six-foot-nine, 250-pound center, ranked in the top 100 players in the class of 2019 among other Division I recruits.

Entering the game as the underdog, Pennridge proved the whole state wrong.  Pennridge played their best basketball, sticking with Kennedy Catholic the entire game and forcing the game to be decided in a tense, double-overtime scenario.  Pennridge’s impressive effort compensated for the lack of size inside. The game ended with a final score of 64-62, Kennedy Catholic. Despite the undesired outcome, the Pennridge Boys Basketball Team should be proud of the immense effort.  The team did all they could to try to beat Kennedy Catholic. Many players battled illness or injury throughout the game. As Pennridge walked out of the locker room after the game, the players’ faces said it all. They had given it their all and did so until the very last second.

The Pennridge Boys Basketball season brought the community together.  The community became one regardless of their differences. We were all on one team, Pennridge. The community came out to support the team at the Giant Center in Hershey.  Teachers, families, friends, leaders, and students all attended the game to witness history. Greg Masters, sophomore at Pennridge High School, said that “it was great seeing the basketball team bring the school and the community together”. Tyler Richardson, also a sophomore, says that he believes “the basketball team gave something for the students and the community to take pride in. Seeing friends and familiar faces accomplish something amazing like that brought everyone together.”

The players acted as role models and represented our community. The great season will be remembered and celebrated by all.