With the game tied in the third quarter, Gavin Turak took over midway through the third quarter. He scored nine straight points to give Nanticoke a lead that they would not relinquesh. Turak had a game high 21 points. Jaidyn Johnson added 19 and Ibn Jordan-Thomas had 16 as they were the only Trojans to score a point. "My shots just started falling, everything was opening up. My teammates were getting me open and it just opened everything else up." Junior Gavin Turak said. Nanticoke head coach Zach Pientka on Turak's performance. "Gavin's a great player. People underestimate what he can do on both ends of the court. Biggest thing on our team is that he's always matched against the team's best offensive player. He went back and forth against that guy (Ben Chilson) and still being able to give it on the offensive end. Couldn't be any prouder of him. Him and Caleb Butzcynski held it down defensively, keeping their two best scorers to 27 points total. We couldn't be any happier."
Tunkhannock held Nanticoke to a free throw for half of the first quarter as they led 6-1. Their first field goal came when Ibn Jordan-Thomas got a steal and got the layup. Jaidyn Johnson then tied the game up on a three pointer but the Tigers answered and took the lead as Ben Chilson got a basket and Tunkhannock led 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers built up an eight point lead thanks to three pointers by Josh Brown and Dylan Mateus. However, Jordan-Thomas scored back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit in half. Brown hit a basket but Jordan-Thomas got another basket as we hit halftime as Tunkhannock led 18-14.
The Trojans tied the game in the first minute of the third as Johnson hit a jumper and Turak got a basket. Johnson gave their first lead of the game with a basket at 20-18. After Chilson tied the game up for Tunkhannock, Turak scored nine straight points to make it 29-20. After a pair of free throws by Shane Macko. Nanticoke finished the quarter on a 6-2 run to lead 35-24 at the end of the third quarter.
Chilson and Johnson traded score for score early in the fourth quarter then Jordan-Thomas scored to keep the lead at 11. When the game looked like it could get away from the Tigers. Ethan Ergott became a spark as he sunk a three pointer to cut their deficit to eight. After a Turak basket, Brown and Mateus hit back-to-back baskets to make it a seven point game. After both team traded baskets, Ergott hit another three pointer to make it a six point game. Chilson hit one of two free throws and hit a three point to make it a two point game. Johnson hit two free throws to make it a 49-45 lead for the Trojans. After a technical foul, Chilson hit one of two of the technical free throws to make it a three point but came up short on the ensuing possession. Johnson hit one of two free throws to put it back to a four point game. Macko cut the lead to 2 with 48.3 to go but Jordan-Thomas hit a basket. Turak and Johnson each hit one of two free throws and Johnson scored the game's final basket on a dunk as Nanticoke advanced to the PIAA Boys 4A State Basketball Tournament with a 56-48 victory over Tunkhannock. Ben Chilson had a team high 18 points for Tunkhannock. Dylan Mateus and Josh Brown each added nine for the Tigers.
Jaidyn Johnson on making the state tournament. "At the beginning of the season, not many people thought we would make it here and we're pretty proud to prove everyone wrong." Ibn Jordan-Thomas on making the state tournament and about the energy he brings to the court. "It feels great. Pretty good. I work hard all day at practice. Help out my teammates with the boards, happy to get the win and happy we're going to states." Head Coach Zach Pientka on making the state tournament. "It's great to be one of the 32 teams to get to that big dance. Couldn't be any prouder of the guys."
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