Hershey >> With a different cast from the 2022 PIAA 3A boys basketball state championship squad, on Saturday afternoon the Devon Prep players were reveling in the Tide’s second state title in three years, following their 60-56 win against Franklin Area at Hershey’s Giant Center.
Junior forward Zane Conlon, who scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds, said, “Winning this one was great – I loved everything leading up to the game and preparing for it and actually being able to contribute for my teammates was a lot of fun. We were such a close team, on and off the court.
“This was a whole new team (from 2022), and next season the (two) transfers (Calvin Smith and Mason Thear) who weren’t able to play in the postseason this year will be able to play in the tournament.”
Guard Shane Doyle, who scored 15 points and dished out four assists, said, “I learned so much from IV Pettit and Allen (Cieslak) and all the senior leaders on the 2022 team, to come back two years later and win the title again is amazing. With this new group of guys, a lot of guys stepped up and played a huge role in our state run since our two transfers (this year) couldn’t play in the postseason.
“It’s been unreal – being able through the ups and downs with these guys this season. When the final buzzer sounded, it was an unbelievable feeling, a load off my shoulders (smiles).”
Devon’s 6-foot-7 junior forward Reese Craft, who pulled down 14 rebounds and scored 11 points, said, “I’m at a loss for words, this is an amazing experience right now. When the final buzzer sounded, it didn’t really hit me until about five minutes later, when they put the medals around our necks. It was pure joy, we worked so hard this season. For this to end all of our work this season is excellent.”
Zachary Orchard, who scored 11 big points, is the younger brother of Lucas Orchard, who played a big role on the 2022 title team. Lucas was at the Giant Center to watch his younger brother in the state title game.
“Winning this title means a lot,” said Zachary. “I saw my brother do it when I was on JV. It feels great to do something this big and live up to the standard (that was set). Lucas has been helping me all summer.
“During the regular season two of our starters were ineligible for the postseason, so I just stayed the course during the regular season, stayed ready although I wasn’t playing that much…. It’s amazing to go into (basketball) retirement, I guess, on a note like this, with a state title. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Coach Jason Fisher said, “For every district and state playoff game (this season) we had a different starting lineup, and all the players kind of stepped up in different ways. I’m really happy for all of them. This team has a bond that’s special, the players really genuinely care about each other, which you don’t see that often.”
For Fisher, being at the title game a second time was a calmer experience than the first one.
“We were in the same locker room (at the Giant Center) that we were two years ago, we knew the drive here, it’s just a lot of different things that you’ve already gone through, and it definitely helps,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to come back here again.”
