Goldstein magnifies No. 9 Methacton boys basketball in District 1 first-round win over No. 24 Conestoga

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE >> In low-scoring, defensive battles, every possession matters. Every player’s role becomes magnified.

For self-described ‘energy’ players like Methacton’s Owen Goldstein, it becomes a time to shine.

Goldstein came off the bench for the Warriors on Friday night to score several momentum-swinging baskets and provide tough defense, serving as the X-factor as No. 9 Methacton eliminated No. 24 Conestoga, 48-38, in a District 1 Class 6A opening-round tilt.

Alex Hermann led the Warriors with 15 points, while Matt Christian contributed 11 in the winning effort.

But in a tight, seesaw game that saw neither team establish a lead of more than four points until the late third quarter, Goldstein found himself at the center of the 12-1 Warriors run that swung the contest permanently.

Goldstein didn’t see any playing time in last week’s Pioneer Athletic Conference playoff loss to Perkiomen Valley. But with another tight, defensive battle shaping up on Friday night, Warriors coach Pat Lockard inserted the senior forward at the start of the second quarter to give the squad a spark.

Goldstein wasted no time bringing his trademark energy and hustle, immediately garnering a putback off a missed free throw to give Methacton a four-point lead.

Conestoga rode the hot shooting of Brendan Styer (20 points, four 3-pointers) to a one-point halftime advantage. Styer played a role in all eight first-half Conestoga field goals (scoring six of them, including four three-pointers, while assisting on deep balls from Westin Fryberger and Brian Schubert.

Out of the break, however, Hermann and Christian nailed triples of their own to put Methacton in front by two. On the ensuing Pioneers possession, Goldstein pilfered a pass at the top of the key and drove the length of the floor, finishing through contact and completing the three-point play at the line as the Warriors faithful roared their approval.

Methacton had its largest lead at the time, 31-26. The Warriors didn’t look back, finishing the quarter with a 10-point advantage after Sal Iemmello added a pair of buckets.

“My role is to bring energy – hustle, get rebounds,” Goldstein said. “I don’t always have a huge role on offense, but when (Lockard) puts me in there, I have to bring energy for my team.”

The tough inside play of Abe Dembele and another long ball from Fryberger brought Conestoga within four points at the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

But Iemmello found Goldstein again on a backdoor cut along the baseline to re-open the advantage to seven allowing the Warriors to pull away and advance to Tuesday’s second round.

“It feels great, especially at home in the District playoffs,” said Goldstein. “I feel like my role is (magnified) in a low-scoring game, when the offense isn’t flowing as easily, and we need something to pick us up motivate us. I feel like I can bring that.”

The win improves Methacton to 17-8 on the year. With four of the past six Pioneer Athletic Conference championships, a District title in 2020, and four trips to the PIAA 6A state tournament in their recent past, this era of Warriors are accustomed to postseason success.

They’ll try to seal another trip to states on Tuesday night at No. 8 Garnet Valley Tuesday night.

Conestoga finished their season at a record of 11-12, dropping six of their final seven contests at the end of the season.

Styer led all scorers with 20 points, but the Pioneers managed only 15 points after halftime and struggled at the foul line (3-11) throughout the contest.

Nonetheless, coach Sean Forcine says the team’s record belies the progress his players and program made during his inaugural campaign.

“We instilled a whole new culture,” he said. “One thing I never question is the attitude these guys have, responding to adversity.

“These players brought it every single day, whether we won five in a row or lost five in a row. The impact of this senior class on me, my staff, and the future of Conestoga basketball cannot be measured.”

Methacton 48, Conestoga 38

Conestoga: Styer 8 0-1 20, Schubert 1 0-0 3, Fryberger 3 2-6 10, Corr 0 0-0 0, Dembele 2 1-4 5, Smith 0 0-0 0, Vesey 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 3-11 38.
Methacton: Daddazio 0 0-0 0, Goldstein 3 2-3 8, Lagana 0 0-2 0, Iemmello 3 0-0 7, Spang 1 0-0 3, Chilson 2 0-0 4, Hermann 5 3-5 15, Christian 4 0-0 11. Totals: 18 6-11 48.
Conestoga 9 14 4 11 – 38
Methacton 13 9 15 11 – 48
3-point goals: Styer 4, Fryberger 2, Schubert, Christian 3, Hermann 2, Spang, Iemmello.