BOYS' BASKETBALL: Schuylkill League final capsule
Feb. 26—Schuylkill League Boys' Basketball Championship Preview Capsule
When: Today, 8 p.m.
Where: Martz Hall
Ticket Policy: Each participating school will have 125 tickets. Ticket cost is $5 and all tickets are sold via presale. No tickets are available at the door. All fans must enter via the top entrance to Martz Hall. Doors for the first game open at 4:15 p.m. Doors for the second game open at 7:15 p.m. Once a spectator leaves Martz Hall, they will not be allowed back into the facility.
Livestreaming: The boys' final will be live streamed on the Pottsville youtube.com channel. The link to the live stream is available on the Republican Herald Sports Facebook page.
Live Updates: Follow Chuck Curley on Twitter @chuckcurley
Nativity (18-4) vs. Pottsville (15-2)
About the Hilltoppers
How they got here: The Division IV champions ousted Division I wild-card Blue Mountain 66-36 Wednesday night behind 24 points by Kegan Hertz and 15 points and 11 rebounds by Marquis Ratcliff.
Last league playoff appearance: Lost 58-53 to Pine Grove in 2004 semifinals
Team statistics: Offense, 60.5 points per game; defense, 44.4 ppg
Probable starting lineup: Julius Walborn (jr., 4.0 ppg, 10 3-pointers), Jacob Hoffman (sr., 5.8 ppg), Cody Miller (jr., 9.6 ppg, 40 3-pointers), Marquis Ratcliff (jr., 15.5 ppg, 10 3-pointers), Kegan Hertz (sr., 15.6 ppg, 15 3-pointers).
Key reserve: Keegan Brennan (sr., 3.1 ppg)
Notes: Nativity has not participated in the league title game since 1982, when the Hilltoppers were the Division II runner-up to Saint Clair. The Saints won 55-53 in Martz Hall on a 10-foot jumper by Scott Costy with 6 seconds remaining. Jim Colna scored 20 points and Mark Grapsy added 14 for the Hilltoppers. ... Hertz and Ratcliff have combined to score 51.3% of the Hilltoppers' points this season. ... Free throws have helped Nativity as it shoots them at a 69.2% clip.
About the Crimson Tide
How they got here: The Division I champions rolled to a 63-33 romp over Division II winner Williams Valley on Wednesday night at Martz Hall behind 19 points and nine rebounds by Jazce Carabello-Snowell.
Last league playoff appearance: Beat Tamaqua 58-46 in 2020 championship game
Team statistics: Offense, 54.1 ppg; defense, 37.9 ppg
Probable starting lineup: Jazce Carabello-Snowell (jr., 14.6 ppg, 14 3-pointers), Nicco Heimbaugh (sr., 7.5 ppg, 35 3-pointers), Darren Yost (jr., 8.5 ppg, 18 3-pointers), Raeff DiCello (jr., 8.8 ppg, 13 3-pointers), Nico Boris (sr., 5.0 ppg, 14 3-pointers).
Key reserve: Mike Sukeena (sr., 7.7 ppg, 16 3-pointers)
Notes: The Tide average 20 field goals per game while allowing just 13. ... Pottsville has produced 117 treys this season. ... Carabello-Snowell needs three field goals to total 100 in 2020-21. ... Pottsville's opponents have attempted 245 free throws to the Tide's 183, but have only outscored Pottsville by 24 points at the foul line. ... Wartella scored 19 points against Pine Grove in the 2004 league title game.
— Compiled by Chuck Curley
