CLARION – After moving the clocks ahead this weekend, the Elk
County Catholic Crusaders wished they could turn them back to last
year’s undefeated season.

The defending PIAA Class A boys’ champions uncharacteristically
let a 15-point third quarter lead slip away in a 65-58 second round
loss to Serra Catholic at Clarion University on Tuesday.

“We had an opportunity, up 15, to take care of the basketball,
secure rebounds and control our own destiny, and we didn’t do
that,” said Aaron Straub, ECC’s 25th year (559-164) head coach. “We
had an opportunity to take that 15-point lead and elongate it.”

The contest provided more runs than a slow-pitch softball game,
as each team seemed to be in control in every quarter, only to see
the opposition battle back.

“There were a lot of runs in this game and unfortunately, we
didn’t get the last one,” Straub confessed. “Serra didn’t quit, and
it would have been very easy for them to do so when they were down
15. It goes to show you, when you hang in there and play hard –
good things happen.”

Serra Catholic jumped out to a 10-4 lead midway through the
first period, but the Crusaders responded with an 8-0 run and
gained a 12-10 advantage on a driving layup by Jesse Bosnik at the
2:57 mark.

The number three seed out of District 7 answered with a
seven-point spurt and then Bosnik’s left-handed scoop shot with
three seconds showing cut ECC’s deficit to 17-14 after one.

The Eagles opened a 26-19 margin on a deep three-pointer from
the right wing by Anthony Epolito with 5:06 left in the half.

The Crusaders pulled within 26-25 on a layup by Bosnik, and then
the District 9 titlists enjoyed a 34-29 intermission lead following
two trifectas by Josh Salter and another from Ray Jablonski.

The Crusaders defense then dominated the early stages of the
third stanza as steals by Brad Meholic and Salter led to a pair of
buckets by Bosnik.

Meholic, Jimmy Higgins and Kiel Nissel followed with buckets in
the paint as the ECC lead had ballooned to 44-29 with 5:34
remaining in the third.

Then, as the snow slowly melted outside Tippin Gymnasium, so did
the Crusaders’ advantage as the Eagles whittled their disparity to
48-47 after three.

“That first 3 1/2 minutes we played really well and then it went
the other way,” Straub noted. “We didn’t secure some rebounds and
didn’t take care of the ball in the backcourt.”

It looked like ECC had regrouped to start the fourth, as triples
by Salter and Nissel staked the Crusaders to a 54-47 lead just 25
seconds into the quarter.

But alas, it was Serra’s turn for a run as eight straight points
sent the Eagles in front 55-54 at the 4:12 juncture.

A layup by Jimmy Higgins 29 seconds later regained the lead for
the Crusaders, but it would prove to be their last as the Eagles
forged ahead 57-56 on a layup by Jon Staso with 2:49 left.

Then with under two minutes to go, Serra held the ball until
T.J. Heatherington was fouled with 42 seconds remaining.
Heatherington nailed both ends of a one-and-one and Mark Rozanski
added another free throw for a 60-56 margin with 31 ticks
showing.

“I didn’t do a very good job of making some defensive
substitutions in the last 90 seconds,” Straub stated. “We weren’t
sure they could hold it for a minute and a half and they were able
to do that. Then they went to the foul line and made their free
throws.”

Then a series of unfortunate events sealed the Crusaders’ fate
as Bosnik was whistled for an offensive foul and then Jimmy Higgins
grabbed a jersey and drew an intentional. Four free throws later,
ECC was down eight with 23 seconds left and it was apparent a
return trip to the state Class A finals was not in the cards.

Bosnik had 19 points, Salter contributed 13 points and Jimmy
Higgins added 10 points for ECC (27-3). Staso had 15 points, and
Pat Grubbs and Epolito registered 14 points apiece for Serra
(24-3).

“It was a great season and I’m proud of the kids,” Straub
declared. “We’ve been very successful the past four years and have
lost only nine games while winning 27, 27, 27, and 33. It’s been a
very good run for this group of seniors and I just wish I would’ve
had more answers in those last 12 minutes.”