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Strength in numbers powered the Mercyhurst Prep boys’ basketball team all season.
Feb. 27’s District 10 Class 2A final proved no different.
Three double digit scorers powered the top-seeded Lakers’ 63-49 win over No. 3 Cochranton at Hagerty Family Events Center. An early fourth quarter surge afforded a comfortable ending for Mercyhurst, which won its first D-10 boys’ hoops title since 2012.
“Preparing for us has to be difficult because, on any given night, anyone can step up and make plays,” Mercyhurst Prep coach Sean Baer said. “We made just enough plays tonight. I’m super proud of the effort, and it’s a collective one, for sure.”
Closing the deal
Mercyhurst had to earn this one.
The Lakers maintained a small lead most of the way, but after a five-point Cochranton run early in the fourth quarter, their advantage sat at just three. Things changed quickly from there.
Mercyhurst enjoyed a 14-7 run which stretched its lead back to double digits. Trent Bengel scored 12 fourth quarter points, including three 3-pointers, to help the Lakers (19-6) close out upset-minded Cochranton (16-9).
“That’s just been our basketball all year – playing pressure defense and turning it into offense,” said senior guard/forward Aiden Ollinger. “Pressuring people and getting that energy up, it eventually leads to a lot of scoring.”
Bengel totaled 14 points for Mercyhurst. Ollinger scored a game-high 18 points and Jake DiBello-Millimaci added 12 points.
“(Winning D-10) means a lot to us,” said Bengel, a junior forward. “It’s something we talked about all year and our biggest goal.”
Walker Carroll led Cochranton with 16 points and Brady Rynd added 12. This marks Mercyhurst's sixth D-10 title in boys basketball.
Movin’ on
Mercyhurst Prep will open the PIAA Class 2A playoffs against the eighth-place finisher from District 7. Cochranton will play D-7’s third-place finisher.
Both will host.
Saegertown, which defeated Greenville in the D-10 Class 2A third-place game, will visit the D-7 champion. All PIAA Class 2A first round games are scheduled for March 7.
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst Prep boys win District 10 Class 2A hoops title