Alva Review-Courier -

Cold shooting by everyone but Kyler Penco in the first half allowed Cascia Hall to edge the Goldbugs at halftime Thursday night. Alva was playing in the first round of regional playoffs at Perry. Both teams scored 16 points in the third quarter with the Commandos retaining their four-point lead. Just past the halfway mark of the final period, Alva tied the score at 36. Cascia Hall eventually tied the game at 39, but the Goldbugs fought back to hold a slight edge the remainder of the game, winning 46-44.

The victory sends the Alva team to the regional finals on Saturday to face Crooked Oak at 7:30 p.m. in Perry. Both teams will advance to the area. Cascia Hall dropped into the consolation bracket and has to win Friday night to continue.

First Half

The Goldbugs jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter behind five points from Penco and three from Aiden Ruiz. Then Cascia Hall went on a 6-0 run to finish the quarter. Alva led 8-6.

In the second period, the Commandos continued their scoring run with four points until Penco tied the score at 10. Cascia Hall added two more baskets before Daylon Malone scored on a free throw for Alva. After a three-pointer from Commando Tyce Berman, Penco scored once more. At the halftime, Cascia Hall led 17-13.

Second Half

The Goldbugs stepped up their efforts for more inside shooting and started hitting baskets. Cascia Hall ran up their lead to eight points, but Alva had a 6-0 run to pull within two points at 31-29. Cascia Hall added one more basket to lead 33-29 at the end of the third period.

The determined Goldbugs pulled within one point on a free throw from Weston Tucker and two from Malone at 33-32. Cascia Hall scored, but Ruiz answered for Alva, and Malone gave the Goldbugs the lead with his basket. The Commandos tied the score on a free throw, but Lantz Mathers hit a basket to put Alva ahead, and Penco scored one from the foul line for a 39-36 Goldbug margin.

Desiree Morehead

Lantz Mathers (25) heads for the basket around the Commando defense.

A free throw and basket by the Commandos tied the score at 39, but Penco hit a basket to give Alva the lead. Malone sank two free throw shots, but Cascia Hall hit a trey to pull within one. Penco widened the lead with a free throw. Tucker grabbed a loose ball to give Alva possession, and Nick Crittle fouled out for Cascia Hall. A free throw by Penco gave Alva a three-point edge, but a Cascia Hall basket narrowed the lead to one. With seven seconds to go, Penco was fouled and made one of two attempts. A turnover by Cascia Hall gave Alva the ball with less than a second left. They threw the ball into play, and the buzzer sounded with the Goldbugs winning 46-44.

Wrap-Up

Penco led the Alva scoring with 24 points followed by Malone with 12. Ruiz had five while Jordan Lohmann and Mathers had two apiece. Tucker had one point.

Mason Shiflet led the Commandos with 11 points followed by Jyson Kim with nine and Crittle with 8. Daniel Jarrett had five, Berman four, Drake Jarrett two and Jake Rampey two.