The YDL Sports Network is counting down the Top 25 moments, events, performances, games, etc from the 2022-23 school year.
The countdown is powered by the following businesses Hunter’s Station Golf Club, Icyy Ink, Showcase Homes, and Generational Wealth Management.
ERIE, Pa. – The Erie First Christian boys’ basketball team checked off a lot of first in the 2022-23 season.
First District 10 championship and first trip to the PIAA quarterfinals.
The Eagles finished just 11-10, but did so in the ultra-competitive Region 4 against the like of bigger schools in Girard, Fairview, Seneca and North East.
They got hot in the postseason, however, as the No. 3 seed, beating Sharpsville by 20 in the quarterfinals and Cambridge Springs by 21 in the semifinals before a showdown with top-seed Mercer.
Avery Collins poured in a game-high 24 points as the Eagles soared to the D10 title with a 49-44 win. It was a game in which they jumped out to a double-digit lead, 23-11 at halftime.
EFC withstood a late Mercer rally, as the Mustangs got as close as five, but the Eagles also got 13 points from Anthony Collins to help preserve the win.
In the first round of PIAAs, Avery Collins was at it once again, pouring in 20 points in a win over Clairton, while Jesse Jong had 15 points and Anthony Collins 12 in a 20-point win over Clairton.
In the second round, it was Anthony Collins stealing the show, as he scored 26 points in a 67-52 win over Northgate. The Eagles closed the game on a 13-5 run after leading 54-47 at the midway point of the fourth quarter. Avery Collins added 14 points in the game and Jong 11.
The Eagles’ run ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 42-40 loss to Otto-Eldred in the quarterfinals. Jong had a shot at the buzzer to win it, but it was off the mark.
Otto-Eldred entered the fourth quarter trailing 34-26, but rallied to tie the game at 38-all on 3s by Anthony Collins and Jong.
Avery Collins finished with 16 points and Jong 11 as the Eagles’ magical postseason ride came to an end.
