Rocky season ending for Orioles

Every shot was contested by stabbing Lancer defense

​The Orioles started off hot but struggled to keep pace with the Neshannock Lancers down the stretch as Rocky Grove fell 64-39 in the first round of the PIAA 2A basketball playoffs.

It was a quick start for the Orioles who went up 2-0 off a steal by Schiffer Anderson and a layup by Landen Carter. Connor Ritchey hit for three 40 seconds later and it looked as if Rocky Grove was in control. 

Neshannock finally answered with a six-point run to take the lead for the first time. It was back and forth the rest of the quarter, which ended with a fastbreak by the Lancers to go ahead 15-13.

​Rocky Grove would be playing catch up for the reminder of the contest.  

The Orioles offense managed only five points in the second quarter versus 10  Lancers points. Three of those Rocky Grove points came from another Ritchey three-pointer with only :17 left in the half. 

Rocky Grove headed into the locker from down 18-25. 

A spark of hope ignited at the start of the second half of play as Carter and Noah Baughman hit back-to-back threes to pull the Orioles within one.

​But that was as close as they could get to the lead. 

Neshannock outscored Rocky Grove 19-14 in the third and 20-7 in the fourth to take home the win. 

Carter led the Orioles with 19 points on the afternoon. Baughman, who scored 501 points this season according the Erie Times-News, was held to only nine. 

The Orioles, who played in the 1A bracket in previous years, can build on this year's tough post-season run as they will likely return four of their five starters next season.

With the loss, they say goodbye to starting point guard Schiffer Anderson, as well as off-the-bench players Jamison Hughes and Jacob Harton. ​