By Michael Lindsay
The York Institute Dragons overcame improbable odds Tuesday evening to clinch their fifth straight sectional berth as they overcame a 9-point deficit in the final 3:25 to defeat Westmoreland in the Region 3-2A semifinals, 54-49.
York Institute (23-10) trailed 49-40 with 3:30 remaining in Tuesday’s elimination game and closed the contest on a 14-0 run to clinch a region championship appearance and substate berth.
“I’m tickled to death with how hard my team played and how gritty they were,” said York head coach Rodney Pile. “We missed some shots and could’ve given up really easy. In the fourth quarter, we had to go get them. We had to make it a full-court game and force the issue. We made a 14-0 run with about 3 minutes left in the game.”
The Dragons were led by 16 points from Heath Wattenbarger, who made back-to-back three-pointers to spark York’s 14-0 run to end the game. Bryson Bilbrey and Blaine York also hit double figures as each scored 11 points.
Westmoreland jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead before York battled back to trail 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.
York Institute took a 21-18 lead late in the second period before Westmoreland closed the frame on a 5-0 run and held a 23-21 advantage at halftime.
“We missed a golden opportunity in the second quarter to maybe extend a lead, and next thing you know they’ve got the lead at halftime,” Pile said.
Westmoreland’s run continued in the second half as they pushed their lead out to 9 points (35-26) with 3:35 left in the third period. The Eagles led 37-29 entering the fourth quarter.
“Defensively, it was very aggravating,” Pile said. “They were very methodical and were cutting us to death. Westmoreland has a great team, and it seemed like all game long we couldn’t get anything going offensively.”
The Eagles led 45-33 with 5:06 remaining before a Jackson Conatser three-pointer cut their advantage back to single digits at 45-36.
Westmoreland held a 49-40 lead with 3:30 remaining before Wattenbarger sank back-to-back three-pointers from the top of the key to cut the Eagles’ lead to 49-46 with 3:03 remaining.
The Dragons cut their deficit to one point (49-48) via two Bilbrey free throws with 1:49 remaining.
York finally broke through to retake the lead (50-49) with 48 seconds left via a Bilbrey putback.
Bilbrey stepped up again defensively on the ensuing possession as he picked off an Eagle pass, giving possession back to the Dragons and sending Jackson Conatser to the free-throw line with 23.1 seconds left.
Conatser drained both free throws to put YAI ahead 52-49. Westmoreland got a three-pointer off with 10 seconds remaining but missed it right as Wattenbarger pulled down the rebound and was fouled with 7.3 left.
Wattenbarger iced the game with two free throws to seal York’s 54-49 semifinal victory in front of a near-capacity crowd in Monterey.
“We’ve got a great crowd,” Pile said. “Our crowd travels well and is very passionate about the game. They support us extremely well, and they definitely made an impact on the game.”
The Dragons have advanced to Thursday’s Region 3-2A championship against District 6-2A champion Watertown and will automatically play in the Class 2A Sectional on Monday with a state tournament berth on the line.
“This is the fifth substate game in a row,” Pile said. “It’s a great tradition that we hope we keep going. The last three years, we’ve had it at home, and it would be great to keep that up. There’s nothing nicer than having a substate game at home.”
York Institute (54): Hunter Wattenbarger 16, Blaine York 11, Bryson Bilbrey 11, Jackson Conatser 8, Myles Leffew 5, Will Beaty 2
