CB West hits 11 3s, holds off Central York in PIAA AAAA 1st round

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WEST MANCHESTER >> It was moment both Cal Reichwein and the Central Bucks West boys basketball team needed.

With Central York cutting a 12-point deficit down to just four entering the fourth quarter, the Bucks were looking for a jolt to reawaken their offense Saturday night in the PIAA Class AAA first round contest. And it was Reichwein – hampered by a knee injury throughout the back half of the season – that provided it from long range.

Reichwein opened the fourth by knocking down a 3-pointer. Then he hit another. And the senior made it three straight from beyond the arc, pushing the West advantage to 13 less than two minutes into the quarter.

“It’s been a really tough stretch. My family’s really happy for it, for me, I’m so happy. I needed a moment for like this, too, to know that it was worth it,” he said. “All the time spending in rehab, all the work and all the time sitting out, it was awesome.”

West was back in control, but it had to weather one last charge by the Panthers to earn its first state win since 2012. The District 3 runner-up pulled to within three after a 14-4 run and had the ball with a chance to tie, but was called for traveling. A big bucket from Bill Power and some clutch free throws from Luke Irons enabled the Bucks to hold on and earn a 60-55 victory at West York High School.

“It’s great for this group. They put the time in, so when you see them put the time in to the reward is awesome,” CB West coach Adam Sherman said. “And the same token, we think this is the school record for wins. So they’re pretty excited about that. And we welcome the next challenge and you get to play for a couple more days and it’s March, there’s nothing better than playing basketball in March.”

Irons finished with a team-high 18 points – 11 coming in the first half – with Power chipped in 14 for the Bucks (24-6), who advance to face defending 4A champ Roman Catholic 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bensalem. The Cahillites beat Academy Park 73-58 at St. Joseph’s Prep.

“We played them over the summer and they beat us. But we look forward to it,” Irons said. “You go into the game, no one expects us to win. In years past, we’ve always been the underdog, this year we’ve kind of been the top dog. So, we’re going back to the underdog and I think that’s the way we like it.

“We might be not (the) biggest, most athletic team, but we surprise teams with the way we move the ball and playing together.”

Reichwein finished with 13 points while Connor Lynch had 12 points with both hitting from 3-point range four times. West made 11 3-pointers, including seven in the opening 16 minutes to lead 34-23 at halftime.

“We knew going into the game they would give a lot of weak side help, so we knew we could attack and get some good kick 3s,” Irons said. “And then they started to help out on the 3s, so we were able to get to the rim a little bit more down the stretch.”

Jared Wagner led all scorers with 20 points while Nathan Markey added 16 points for Central York, which lost in the 4A first round for the third straight season.

A Lynch 3 gave Central Bucks West a 37-25 lead in the third, but the trey was the Bucks’ final points of the quarter. The Panthers finished the quarter with an 8-0 run – the last four from Courtney Batts – to trail 37-33 going to the fourth.

But then Reichwein got going. Heading to Lafayette as a preferred walk-on, he connected on a 3 from the right wing, the left corner then the right wing again, extending the West lead to 46-33.

“If anyone knew who hard he’s worked to get to this point, anything possible he could do to get back out here, he’s done,” said Sherman of Reichwein. “It’s unbelievable how much he’s dedicated himself to come back and help this team. A million doctor’s appointments, a million rehab.

“We held him back the last two games in the (District 1) playback games, hoping that we could get him in a better place with his knee and he felt pretty good today. And hopefully, he’ll feel good tomorrow, that’s the unknown variable, just to wonder how it’ll be the next day. Just very, very happy for him.”

A Markey 3 made it 46-36, but Irons scored off a drive and a Reichwein free throw after Central York coach Kevin Schieler was assessed a technical fall had the Bucks back up 13 with 4:02 remaining.

Central York, however, did not let West cruise into the second round. Wagner’ converted a three-point play at 3:32, and then found Tommy O’Neill for a basket. Batts’ two free throws at 2:54 made it 49-43.

A Power hoop put the Bucks back up eight. Markey scored off an offensive rebounded and was fouled – he missed the foul shot – while Onterio Edwards’ two from the line go the Panthers within four at 1:48.

Power made both ends of a 1-and-1 for a 53-47 West lead before Wagner’s three cut the margin to three.

“He’s probably the quickest, most explosive kid I’ve covered all year,” said Irons of Wagner. “Not just dribbling the ball, his cuts to the rim off screens, he’s just lightning-quick. So, yeah, it was tiring to stay with him. I had to get a little breather at the end of the fourth quarter trying to stay with him.

Central York’s press forced a turnover, but the Panthers gave it right back with a walk. Power’s basket made it 55-50 and after a missed Central York 3, Irons connected on both ends of a 1-and-1 for a seven-point edge with 26.2 seconds left.

A long 3 from Markey – his fifth of the game – had Central York back within three at 58-55 at 9.2 seconds. Irons, however, hit two at the line at 7.1 seconds to seal it.

“It’s the highlight of our season. We wanted to get in the state tournament first, to win a game is more than we can ask for,” Reichwein said. “So, making history with the most wins all-time in West history, so it’s a lot of fun. I’m really happy, everyone’s happy for each other. It was a good team win.”

The Panthers last lead came in the first quarter when a Markey triple made it 13-12. Power hit a corner 3 before Wagner’s bucket tied the game 15-15. A Lynch 3 and Irons’ jumper before the buzzer put the Bucks up 20-15.

Back-to-back Lynch threes gave CB West a 26-17 lead in the second quarter. Central York cut the margin to 26-21, but the Bucks scored the next six points – the last five by Irons – to go up 32-21. Wagner’s steal and layup made it 32-23 at halftime.

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Mike Cabrey

Mike Cabrey
Mike Cabrey is the Assistant Sports Editor for The Reporter and Montgomery News. Email him at mcabrey@thereporteronline.com.

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