The Warriors hosted #8-ranked Penns Manor on February 18 for the first round of Districts. As the top seed in the District Tournament, the Warriors had a significant advantage. They entered the tournament with a 19-4 record, while Penns Manor came in at 10-12.

The Warriors started strong in the first quarter with a 6-0 run, featuring two baskets from Easton Emigh and a rebound putback by Joel Evans. However, the Comets rallied back to take an 8-6 lead, eventually finishing the quarter ahead 12-10.

In the second quarter, the Warriors struggled with turnovers, while the Comets found their rhythm around the arc, sinking five three-pointers to take a 25-23 lead into halftime. Coby Kephart and Lukas Colton contributed key shots to keep the score close.

The Warriors opened the third quarter with strong defense, as Colton, Kephart, and Logan Liptak forced multiple turnovers. Kephart converted one of these turnovers into a game-tying basket, making it 25-25. Making his first career start, Kephart provided the spark the team needed. Owen Koleno ignited the offense in the second half, grabbing a steal and scoring to put the Warriors up 28-25. They then went on a 12-0 run, extending their lead to 40-27. Emigh added two steals, a layup, and free throws to contribute to the Warriors’ dominant 24-8 third-quarter performance.

The Warriors’ defensive intensity continued into the fourth quarter, creating multiple turnovers that led to points for Emigh. They closed out the game on a 12-4 run, with Evans and Koleno each scoring three times.

Koleno finished as the game’s leading scorer with 32 points, setting a school record for points in a playoff game. He also grabbed 13 rebounds. Evans had an impressive 19 rebounds and 15 points, while Emigh contributed eight points and six rebounds. Kephart added five points and five rebounds.

Senior Joel Evans spoke about how this game prepared them for their next district matchup:

With the victory, the Warriors improved to 20-4 on the season. They will host #4-ranked Northern Cambria on Saturday, February 22, at 5:00 p.m. All tickets must be purchased online through the District website. Come out and support your Warriors on Saturday night!