Kennedy three-peats, Sharon falls in final

Staff report

HERSHEY, PA.

The Kennedy Catholic High School boys basketball team reached a new high while Sharon fell short in the PIAA state championships on Monday.

Kennedy defeated Lourdes Regional, 78-36, in the 1A title game. Sharon’s loss to Imhotep Charter was nearly as lopsided at 71-35 in the 4A final.

The Golden Eagles won their third-straight state title and ninth overall, giving them the most state titles in state history.

Starting next year, Kennedy is moving from 1A to 6A — the highest classification in Pennsylvania basketball. Kennedy petitioned the PIAA for the move, citing how it competes against some of Pennsylvania’s and Ohio’s biggest schools over the years, like Warren Harding, Butler, Alderdice and Pine Richland.

The Golden Eagles led 30-0 after the first quarter. Maceo Austin led with 29 points and Oscar Tshiebwe had 24 points with nine rebounds.

The win was the Golden Eagles’ 101st in the PIAA tournament. West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins and Virginia’s Tony Bennett were in attendance.

Imhotep won its second straight state title as Sharon was in its first state title game in 61 years.

Elite Williams led Sharon with 15 points.

Dahmir Bishop led the Panthers with 20 points and Bernard Lightsey added 13 to stop Sharon’s 24-game winning streak.