SLIPPERY ROCK – A 24-11 third quarter surge lifted Strong Vincent past Quaker Valley 73-64 and into the Class 4A state championship game on Tuesday at Slippery Rock University.

David Morris once again led the way with 25 points, including a 3-pointer at the end of the first half to tie the game at 26-all, which begin the huge run for SV.

Jerome Henderson added 17 points for Strong Vincent, which lost Sim Wofford (Meadville) and Bryon Williams (McDowell) to transfers after last season.

With the win, Vincent gets the tall order of facing Imhotep Charter in the state title game on Saturday at Hershey’s Giant Center. Imhotep routed Greater Nanticoke, 60-23 in their semifinal matchup.

To say that the charter from Philadelphia is loaded would be an understatement.

They have two senior guards – David Beatty and Daron Russell who are committed to South Carolina and Rhode Island respectively. Sophomore forward Donta Scott is a top 50 national recruit in his class and already has drawn interest from the likes of Arizona, Villanova, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, while freshman forward Elijah Taylor is also considered a future high-level Division I player.

They are ranked third in the country by MaxPreps and their closest game of the state tournament was a 70-51 win over Audenried in the quarterfinals. Tip-time is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday

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ARCHBISHOP WOOD 68,

ABINGTON HEIGHTS 57

BETHLEHEM – Archbishop Wood advanced to play Meadville in the PIAA Class 5A title game on Friday with a 68-57 win over Abington Heights on Tuesday.

Wood is led by Philadelphia Catholic League Player of the Year Collin Gillespie, a 6-2 senior guard who is committed to Villanova.

Gillespie led Wood with 18 points, while Andrew Funk had 17, Tyree Pickron 16 and Matt Cerutti 11.

Tip time from the Giant Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday.

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VILLA MARIA 62,

LANCASTER CATHOLIC 50

CLEARFIELD – Villa Maria advanced to the Class 4A state championship game with a 62-50 win over Lancaster Catholic.

Madison Demski led the Victors with 25 points while Sydney Palermo added 11.

Villa will meet Bethlehem Catholic for the state title. BC earned a 34-15 win over Gwynedd Mercy in the other semifinal. Tip-time is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Giant Center.