What will happen on Day 2?
The opening of the District 10 boys’ basketball playoffs provided some memorable moments. Adrien Tate’s late go-ahead bucket lifted Erie past McDowell for the Class 6A title, while Prep topped Meadville for the Class 5A crown.
In the Class 4A quarterfinals, Warren outlasted Slippery Rock in a triple overtime game for the ages, while Hickory, Grove City, and Harbor Creek also advanced.
Friday’s features a full slate of action with the Class 3A and 2A quarterfinals, as well as a Class 1A quarterfinal game between Rocky Grove and Cochranton.
Here’s a quick look at each.
CLASS 3A
(1) Franklin vs. (8) Mercyhurst Prep at Oil City H.S., 7:30 p.m.
Region 6 and defending D10 champion Franklin comes into the playoffs as hot as any team in District 10. The 18-4 Knights have 13-straight games, with all but two of those coming by double-digits (a 55-50 win over Slippery Rock and a 68-62 win over Warren).
Damon Curry checks in at 17.3 points per game for Franklin, while Jalen Wood (12.7) and Cole Buckley (11.0) also average in double figures, with 6-7 big man Jonathon Leccia an eraser in the middle.
Mercyhurst Prep, meanwhile, comes in with a record of 10-12. The Lakers are led by Derek Bly at 8.2 ppg. and David Bahm at 7.9 ppg.
(2) Girard vs. (7) Seneca at Hagerty Events Center, 7:30 p.m.
Girard features a well-balanced squad that could definitely make a run. The Yellow Jackets have four players – Dylan McDonald (11.5 ppg.), Alex Henry (11.0), Nate Edwards (10.5), and Geremia Dell’omo who all average in double figures.
The Region 4 champion Jackets enter the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak.
Seneca (11-11) lost a lot of firepower from last season’s D10 runner-up squad, but still features one of the best shooters in District 10, Logan Kibbe, who checks in at just over 18 points per game.
Girard won both regular seasons by nearly identical scores, 62-47 and 62-48.
(3) Oil City vs. (6) North East at Meadville H.S., 7:30 p.m.
District 10 Class 4A runner-up a year ago, the Oilers are looking to make a run in Class 3A this season.
At 17-5, Oil City’s only losses are to Franklin (twice), District 9 Class 3A champion Brookville and current 4A semifinalists, and the top two seeds in Class 4A, Warren and Grove City.
Jake Hornbeck has a triple-double to his credit this season and leads the Oilers in scoring at 13.6 ppg, while Cam VanWormer checks in at 12.7, Sayyid Donald at 12.2 and Ethen Knox at 10.0.
North East, meanwhile, comes in with a record of 14-8. The Pickers are led by Noah Crozier (14.6 ppg.) and star freshman Demetris Crosby (13.1).
(4) Fairview vs. (5) Greenville at Hagerty Events Center, 6 p.m.
Fairview (15-7), the District 10 Class 4A champion and state quarterfinalist a year ago, matches up with Greenville in what could be a classic 4-5 game.
Fairview rebounded from a 1-6 start to the season, at one point going on an eight-game winning streak.
The Tigers are led by Archie Murphey (14.4 ppg.), John Seyboldt (13.1), and Jeremy Frazao (9.3).
Greenville, meanwhile, is coming off a 14-8 regular season and held its own against the likes of Class 4A Region foes Hickory, Sharon, and Grove City.
Logan Lentz has put together a strong season for the Trojans, checking in at 16.1 ppg., while Noah Philson is at 12.1.
CLASS 2A
(1) Mercer vs. (8) West Middlesex at Farrell H.S., 7 p.m.
Region 2 champion Mercer at one point won eight consecutive games during the season, finishing at 18-4, with 14 of those wins coming by double figures.
Jake Mattocks leads the way for the Mustangs at 15.6 points per game, while Daemyin Mattocks averages 12.4.
West Middlesex will present a strong challenge at the No. 8 seed.
The Big Reds were 11-11 during the season and feature one of the top players in District 10 in senior Richie Preston, who averages 19.6 ppg.
The two teams met twice during the season, with wins of 62-52 and 82-51.
(2) Cambridge Springs vs. (7) Lakeview at Meadville H.S., 6 p.m.
The Region 3 champion Blue Devils (17-5) enter the playoffs winners of 14 of their last 15 games, with the lone loss coming to Class 3A Greenville.
Josh Reisnauer has been a top player in District 10 at 16.7 ppg., while 6-4 big man Parker Schmidt checks in at 13.5.
Lakeview, meanwhile, comes in with a record of 12-10.
The Sailors are led by Cam Pence, Luacas Fagley, Owen Dye, and Maddox Bell.
(3) Erie First Christian vs. (6) Sharpsville at PennWest Edinboro, 8 p.m.
This could be one of the more entertaining matchups on Friday.
Erie First Christian is 11-10 and played in Region 4 with mostly Class 3A schools, including Girard, Fairview, North East, and Seneca.
EFC features four players in double figures, led by Jesse Jong (13.0 ppg.), Avery Collins (12.5), and Anthony Collins (12.0).
Sharpsville (10-12) won three of its past four games to close the regular season.
The Blue Devils are led by Liam Campbell (14.1 ppg.) and Braden Scravel (12.8 ppg.).
(4) Eisenhower vs. (5) Saegertown at PennWest Edinboro, 6:30 p.m.
Two teams that are very familiar with one another in what could be another classic 4-5 game.
Eisenhower (13-9) won twice over the Panthers (15-7) during the regular season by scores of 57-55 and 67-55.
Both teams like to push the pace, with Eisenhower led by Wyatt Lookenhouse (17.1 ppg.), who is closing in on 1,000 career points. Kyler Black (13.5 ppg.) and Kris Bunk (11.3 ppg.) also average in double figures for the Knights.
Saegertown, meanwhile, features 1,000-point scorer Brady Greco, who averages 16.2 ppg. Henry Shaffer (12.4 ppg.) and Collin Jones (10.4) also average in double figures for the Panthers.
CLASS 1A
(4) Rocky Grove vs. (5) Cochranton at Oil City H.S., 6 p.m.
In a five-team bracket, this is the lone quarterfinal game.
The Orioles comes in with a record of 10-12, while Cochranton is 9-13.
Rocky Grove averages 52 points per game as a team, led by D’Andre Whitman (12.0 ppg.), Quinn Ritchey (10.1 ppg), and Schiffer Anderson (8.5 ppg.).
Cochranton, meanwhile, dropped six of its last eight games to close the regular season but poses a threat in this bracket as well with their ability to score. Chase Miller leads the way for the Cardinals at 14.4 points per game, while Landon Homa (11.9) and Walker Carroll.
