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Eagles’ historic season comes to an end

The Youngsville Eagles' historic 2019-2020 season came to a close with a loss to OLSH in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs on Saturday at Peters Township High School.

MCMURRAY, Pa. – The 1-2 punch of Jake DiMichele and Dante Spadafora were as advertised for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

DiMichele scored 28 and Spadafora 24 to lead the Chargers (25-1) to 79-31 win over Youngsville in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A basketball championships on Saturday at Peters Township High School.

The loss ended the most successful season this century for the Eagles, who finish with a record of 19-8.

“We said from day one that we were going to make the most out of every opportunity on and off the court and see where that would take us,” said Youngsville coach Jesse DeLoof. “When the dust settled it took us to 19 wins and a state playoff appearance. I’m proud of that. I’m grateful I was a part of that.”

The Chargers came out firing early and often, with DiMichele and Spadafora nailing some deep 3’s and building a 25-6 lead after the first quarter.

Youngsville found it’s offensive footing in the second quarter. Gage Hendrickson, playing his final game in a stellar high school career for the Eagles, hit a pair of 3’s in the second quarter, and Ethan Kesterholt also connected on one. Kesterholt’s aggressive play also earned him multiple trips to the free-throw line.

Unfortunately, the Chargers showed no signs of slowing down on the offensive end and finished the first half with 52 points.

Hendrickson had five points in the second half and finished with a team-high 13 for the game, while Kesterholt had 8, and Joe Mack 6.

Hendrickson and Owen Procter graduate, but this is a team that will return plenty of firepower next season, led by Mack, Kesterholt, Brady Olewine, Austin Peterson, Timber Bower and Dominic Dell.

OLSH advances to play Portage, which rallied past Cambridge Springs, 67-63, in the Sweet 16.

“The boys put in the work and reaped the rewards,” DeLoof said. “I’ll look back on the season 20 years from now with a smile on my face. The community support was so impressive this season.

“This should be the standard for Youngsville basketball going forward, not something that happens every 20-30 years.”

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