Positive approach sends Methacton back to PAC title game by topping Norristown, 47-42

UPPER PROVIDENCE >> It’s familiar with the oft-mentioned mindset about the difficulty of a team beating an opponent three times in a season.
Familiar, maybe … but not obsessing over it.

Facing that scenario with Norristown Friday, Methacton chose not to put stock in the negative notion. Instead, the Warriors meshed a positive approach with their recent history of playoff success to outlast the Eagles, 47-42, in their Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Six playoff semifinal at Spring-Ford.

Bolstered by a 12-2 run over the final minutes of the third quarter, Methacton (20-2) put itself in position to add another PAC title to its résumé. It will play Pope John Paul II, a 55-43 winner over Phoenixville in the second semifinal, 7 p.m. Tuesday, back at Spring-Ford.

“This group has confidence,” Methacton head coach Pat Lockard said. “Playing a team three times is a challenge to your lineups. Norristown is tough … it’s playing with confidence right now. We knew it was going to be a battle.”

In contrast to the first two matchups, won by the Warriors by one-sided scores of 69-44 (Jan. 8) and 73-61 (Jan. 18), No. 3 saw the Eagles (17-7) rebound from an early 8-3 deficit to take a 22-21 lead into the locker room. They improved to 24-21 early in the third before Methacton’s big run put it back in the lead for keeps.

Methacton, though, was able to hold firm over the final 1:06 even while D.J. Johnson scored twice in the last 35 seconds. Matt Christian sank a pair of free throws and Colin Meyer added a basket with 14 seconds left to secure its title-game spot.

“It’s hard to beat a team three times,” Norristown head coach Dana “Binky” Johnson agreed. “We had a different level of focus this time. It takes more focus in a game like this, and we showed it.”

Colin Meyer puts Methacton up 41-34 with three left. pic.twitter.com/nVw0JEZhiS

— Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) February 12, 2022

Matt Christian 3 gives Methacton a 27-24 lead midway through Q3. pic.twitter.com/hCognj8g4P

— Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) February 11, 2022

 

Brett Byrne grabbed a share of game scoring honors with 12 points, collecting them from the second quarter on, while teammate Cole Hargrove and Meyer both followed with 11.

The 6-foot-8 Hargrove was a force under the rim, clearing a slew of rebounds at both the offensive and defensive ends and slapping numerous Norristown shots out of the air.

“It was intense out there,” the senior forward noted. “I want to be a leader on the team and win a championship.”

Hargrove had a couple uneasy moments on the floor in the fourth quarter. He fell into foul trouble around the 4:45 mark, and in the final minute he had his legs rolled by two Norristown players while pulling down a loose ball.

But he persevered, hanging in to the end.

“Getting into foul trouble, that impacts not being able to block shots,” Hargrove said. “I have to try and stay as a leader in other ways.”

Norristown matched the Warriors at the top end of its scoring lineup. Johnson matched Byrne for the game scoring lead with 12 points, and Righteous Mitchell followed with 11.

Adding more balance to the Eagles’ lineup was Nasir Williams scoring nine points off the bench. Methacton was bolstered by the eight points of Christian.

Then there was the third quarter …

“The third hurt us,” Johnson said. “They (Warriors) were getting points in bunches. We had to be mindful of that.”

HALF: Norristown 22, Methacton 21. … Warriors end the first half by turning a Cole Hargrove rejection into a Brett Byrne bucket on the other end. pic.twitter.com/Jiut1sL1ip

— Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) February 11, 2022

Methacton 33, Norristown 28 after three. … Righteous Mitchell the late bucket. pic.twitter.com/hwf2m6ECWT

— Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue) February 11, 2022

 

One thing on which Johnson thought Norristown improved, from the two regular-season games, was its defense of Hargrove. He had 12 points in the first matchup despite dealing with foul trouble and exploded for 26 in the second meeting, but his points were much harder to come by Friday.

“Previously, we played one-on-one,” Johnson noted. “We did a lot more crowding tonight. We didn’t want him to get into a comfort zone.”

Looking ahead to the championship showdown with PJP, Hargrove made one point requiring focus by him and his teammates.

“We need to try and guard the ways they shoot,” he said.

NOTES >> Lockard on the impact Hargrove has on the hardwood: “Cole draws attention,” he said. “He makes it tough for opponents to finish around the basket.” … Methacton’s recent playoff history features five PAC titles in the past nine years, and the last three — there was no league post-season last year.