Conwell-Egan Catholic topples Loyalsock; advances to state final vs. Aliquippa

MECHANICSBURG — Conwell-Egan Catholic (CEC) has advanced to the PIAA Class AA championship game.

For Eagles fans who languished in CEC’s 51-year postseason win drought, it’s a big statement to wrap your head around. Heck, even the Eagles players find it hard to believe.

“I never dreamed of this,’ said CEC senior Sean Kelly. “Coming onto Egan as a freshman, never did I think I’d play in the state championship my senior year.’

“I’m getting chills just talking about it.’

Nonetheless, it’s true. In a St. Patrick’s Day battle that was much closer than the score indicated, Egan topped District 4 champ Loyalsock Township, 55-44 Tuesday night (March 17) in front of a packed house at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg. The Eagles (20-8) will face District 7 champ Aliquippa — a 72-48 winner over West Middlesex — for the state title on Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Stoked by 23 points including 11 in the fourth quarter by junior point guard Stevie Jordan, Egan put the Loyalsock duel in the books in the final minute-and-a-half, thanks to solid foul shooting by Jordan and senior Chase Kumor (9 pts.), who grabbed a pair of defensive boards in the final frame.

Jordan and Kumor shot 6-of-8 from the line combined in the final 90 seconds and for good measure, Jordan slammed a one-handed dunk into the hoop just before time expired.

The win sends the Eagles to the first state championship in the history of Egan athletics, which joined the PIAA along with the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) six years ago.