Eisenhower's boys basketball team has something to play for.
The Knights will play the top-ranked Class A team out of Region 3 - Cochranton - in the District 10 Class A playoff semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Edinboro University's McComb Fieldhouse.
While the Knights finished the regular season at 8-13, which included two lopsided losses to Cochranton (27 points and 20 points), they are 1-0 in the playoffs, and it's a brighter outlook for the Knights.
Article Photos
Times Observer file photo
Fight to the finish
Eisenhower senior Aaron Lundmark battles two Rocky Grove defenders for a shot earlier this season. The Knights (9-14) will play Cochranton (14-8) — Region 3’s top Class A seed — at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Edinboro University in the District 10 Class A Boys Basketball Playoffs.
"We've definitely looked at the way we played against them," said Eisenhower coach Dave Allenson. "The first time, especially, was not all that great. I think the kids are going to have a different effort this time. They are getting caught up in these playoffs, and are practicing like they're interested."
Those comments might not seem all that off base if you were around the team during an nine-game losing streak near the beginning of the season.
"Oh it's way different," said Ike senior Aaron Lundmark. "All 14 of us believe we are going to win this game and the tempo in practice has picked up tremendously. Earlier in the year we had doubts, but I feel we're all on the same page."
Fact Box
District 10 basketball playoffs
Boys
Class A
Quarterfinals
February 22, 2013
VisionQuest 54, Rocky Grove 48
Eisenhower 65, Commodore Perry 47
Semifinals
February 26, 2013
Kennedy Catholic vs. VisionQuest, at Sharon HS, 6:30 p.m.
Cochranton vs. Eisenhower, at Edinboro University, 6:30 p.m.
Championship
March 1, 2013
Kennedy Catholic-Vision Quest winner vs. Cochranton-Eisenhower winner
Consolation
March 1, 2013
Kennedy Catholic-Vision Quest loser vs. Cochranton-Eisenhower loser
Class AA
Quarterfinals
February 22, 2013
Lakeview 48, Titusville 37
West Middlesex 82, Iroquois 44
Fairview 59, Saegertown 46
Mercyhurst Prep 65, Sharpsville 46
Semifinals
February 26, 2013
West Middlesex vs. Fairview, at Sharon HS, 8 p.m.
Mercyhurst Prep vs. Lakeview, at Mercyhurst College, 6:30 p.m.
Championship
March 1, 2013
Middlesex-Fairview winner vs. Lakeview-Mercyhurst winner
Consolation
March 1, 2013
Middlesex-Fairview loser vs. Lakeview-Mercyhurst loser
Class AAA
Quarterfinals
February 20, 2013
Strong Vincent 73, Meadville 41
East 46, Hickory 43
General McLane 70, Farrell 55
Girard 47, Sharon 43
Semifinals
February 26, 2013
East vs. General McLane, at Mercyhurst College, 8 p.m.
Girard vs. Strong Vincent, at Edinboro University, 8 p.m.
Championship
March 1, 2013
East-McLane winner vs. Girard-Vincent winner
Consolation
March 1, 2013
East-McLane loser vs. Girard-Vincent loser
Class AAAA
Semifinal
February 23, 2013
McDowell 69, Central Tech 55
Championship
March 1, 2013
Cathedral Prep vs. McDowell, TBA
Girls
Class A
Quarterfinals
February 23, 2013
Cochranton 60, Reynolds 19
Commodore Perry 51, Eisenhower 50
Farrell 43, Rocky Grove 39
Semifinals
February 27, 2013
Kennedy Catholic vs. Commodore Perry, at Sharon HS, 6:30 p.m.
Cochranton vs. Farrell, at Sharon HS, 8 p.m.
Championship
March 2, 2013
Kennedy Catholic-Commodore Perry winner vs. Cochranton-Farrell winner
Class AA
Quarterfinals
February 23, 2013
Mercer 45, Girard 34
Sharpsville 34, Seneca 29
General McLane 54, Saegertown 25
North East 45, Sharon 40
Semifinals
February 27, 2013
Mercer vs. General McLane, at Conneaut Lake MS, 8 p.m.
North East vs. Sharpsville, at Conneaut Lake MS, 6:30 p.m.
Championship
March 2, 2013
Mercer-McLane winner vs. North East-Sharpsville winner
Consolation
March 2, 2013
Mercer-McLane loser vs. North East-Sharpsville loser
Class AAA
Quarterfinals
February 23, 2013
Villa Maria 56, Grove City 13
Hickory 58, Warren 43
Franklin 68, Conneaut 33
Mercyhurst Prep 36, Slippery Rock 31
Semifinals
February 27, 2013
Villa Maria vs. Hickory, at Meadville HS, 6:30 p.m.
Franklin vs. Mercyhurst Prep, at Meadville HS, 8 p.m.
Championship
March 2, 2013
Villa-Hickory winner vs. Franklin-Mercyhurst winner
Consolation
March 2, 2013
Villa-Hickory loser vs. Franklin-Mercyhurst loser
Class AAAA
Semifinal
February 23, 2013
Central Tech 54, East 49
Championship
March 2, 2013
McDowell vs. Central Tech, TBA
District 9 Basketball Playoffs
Boys
Class A
First Round
February 19, 2013
Clarion 46, Coudersport 43
Ridgway 96, Oswayo Valley 45
AC Valley 70, DuBois Central Catholic 33
Cameron County 70, Clarion-Limestone 60
Elk County Catholic 78, Port Allegany 43
Johnsonburg 63, Union 21
Quarterfinals
February 22, 2013
North Clarion 80, Clarion 72
Smethport 56, Cameron County 36
Ridgway 48, AC Valley 43
Johnsonburg 57, Elk County Catholic 52
Semifinals
February 26, 2013
North Clarion vs. Ridgway, at Clarion University, 7:30 p.m.
Smethport vs. Johnsonburg, at Clarion University, 6 p.m.
Championship
March 2, 2013
North Clarion-Ridgway winner vs. Smethport-Johnsonburg winner, at Clarion University
Consolation
March 2, 2013
North Clarion-Ridgway loser vs. Smethport-Johnsonburg loser
Class AA
Semifinals
February 21, 2013
Cranberry 52, Keystone 42
Championship
March 1, 2013
Brockway vs. Cranberry, at Clarion University, 7:30 p.m.
Class AAA
March 2, 2013
Championship
Punxsutawney vs. Bradford, at Clarion University, time TBA
Girls
Class A
Quarterfinals
February 20, 2013
Keystone 54, Coudersport 51
February 21, 2013
Clarion 64, Cameron County 38
Johnsonburg 39, Elk County Catholic 32
Port Allegany 45, Venango Catholic 35
Semifinals
February 27, 2013
Clarion vs. Johnsonburg, at Brockway HS, 7 p.m.
Port Allegany vs. Keystone, at Kane HS, 7 p.m.
Championship
March 2, 2013
Clarion-Johnsonburg winner vs. Port-Keystone winner, at Clarion University, time TBA
Consolation
March 2, 2013
Clarion-Johnsonburg loser vs. Port-Keystone loser, at TBA, time TBA
Class AA
Quarterfinals
February 19, 2013
Redbank Valley 57, Moniteau 54
Brookville 46, Karns City 37
Cranberry 43, Clarion-Limestone 29
February 20, 2013
Kane 46, Curwensville 32
Semifinals
February 21, 2013
Brookville 50, Cranberry 49
February 22, 2013
Kane 53, Redbank Valley 39
Championship
March 2, 2013
Brookville vs. Kane, at Clarion University, 6 p.m.
Class AAA
Semifinals
February 21, 2013
Punxsutawney 50, Saint Marys 47
Championship
March 2, 2013
Bradford vs. Punxsutawney, at Clarion University, time TBA
Allenson said then, and he says now, it comes down to effort, turnovers, and taking good shots.
And stopping three talented scorers.
In the first game, Logan Herzberger scored 19 points in a 57-30 Cochranton win. In the second game, Garrett Adams scored 18 and Nick Dickson 14 in a 65-45 Cochranton win. The Cardinals are 14-8 and received a bye into the semifinals of the six-team tournament.
The winner earns a trip to the D-10 Class A championship and an automatic berth in the PIAA playoffs. The loser still has a shot at states in the third-place game on Friday.
"I think we're thinking about winning the ballgame right now," said Allenson. "I think you have to think that. I haven't gotten any indication (the players) are thinking otherwise."