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Boys' Basketball: Halifax 50, Upper Dauphin Area 47
Another week, another thriller;
'Cats upend UDA
By Mike Hutchins, Contributing Writer

ELIZABETHVILLE - The week started with a well-defined picture of the chase for the boys' Tri-Valley League second-half title chase.

One game later, though, a lot changed when Halifax Area (5-12 overall, 1-2 second half) threw a kink into things with a 50-47 win at Upper Dauphin Area Jan. 28.

"This is a big win,'' Halifax head coach Dan Bowman said. "It sort of keeps our district playoff hopes alive.''

And shook up the TVL. At week's end, Line Mountain and Greenwood were the only undefeated teams remaining. Millersburg and Upper Dauphin both are lurking with one loss.

The Trojans, who had upended Millersburg Area in Millersburg early in the week to seemingly take command of its second-half destiny (see separate story), appeared to be taking control of the game midway through the fourth quarter as they built a five point lead, 43-38.

As time has told all local sports fans, nothing is ever complete when local rivals square off.

After the Trojans took their lead, Reece Gonsar drilled a big three-pointer, pulling the 'Cats within two, 43-41.

Halifax never backed off its all-out man-to-man defense and on Upper Dauphin's next possession, Andrew Frantz came up with a steal, drove the length of the court and finished off the play with a spin move to tie the game, 43-43.

The teams traded buckets and Halifax senior Joe Schwalm (18 points for the game) nailed a three-pointer to put Halifax in front, 48-45.

Upper Dauphin came back with a hoop to pull with a point, 48-47. Halifax successfully inbounded to Cory Bostdorf, who took the ball the length of the court under pressure and made a crisp pass to Drew Osenbach inside to post the final tally at 50-47.

Upper Dauphin had a few shots at tying the game, but could not connect over the final 30 seconds.

Bowman said Schwalm did have a great game, but gave props to point guard Matt Osenbach (12 points) and the guys coming off the bench.

"Matt did a real nice job running the team. We also got some big minutes from our bench players,'' he said.

Halifax took a 17-11 lead after the first quarter but the Trojans scrapped back for a 25-23 halftime edge and continued to lead 39-34 heading into the final quarter. Zach Markel led Upper Dauphin with 17 points.