PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball: McGuinn helps O’Hara nab first states win

Back and forth Cardinal O’Hara and Wilson Area went Tuesday night.

When the rollercoaster ended, O’Hara had the first states win in program history.

Pearse McGuinn scored 13 of his 21 points in the first half as O’Hara won a wild one, 54-45, at the home gym of the District 11 runner-up.

Wilson led 14-7 after one quarter. But McGuinn put the Lions up by one at halftime. The lead stretched near double-figures before Wilson cut it to 39-38 with 3:40 left. But the Lions got the job done at the line to preserve the victory.

For O’Hara (14-10), the third seed out of District 12, it’s the first states win in program history. They did it without leading scorer Izaiah Pasha, who is ineligible for states after a transfer from Central Dauphin East.

No matter, since McGuinn stepped up big, including an 8-for-13 performance from the line. The Lions were 18-for-24 from the line to seal the win.

Hunter Johnson stepped up with 18 points, including a 7-for-7 performance from the line. Josh Coulanges added seven big points.

Na’shawn Jones led Wilson Area (19-8) with 16 points.

O’Hara next gets District 2 champion Dallas (23-3), which disposed of Shamokin Area, 66-46, in Friday’s Round of 16. That game will be a neutral site.