UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, Parkland High School’s boys basketball team defeated Allentown Central Catholic 54-49 on January 13, 2024, at Rockne Hall. This victory not only marks a significant boost in confidence for both teams as they approach the playoffs but also halts Parkland’s three-game losing streak.
The game saw a remarkable turnaround for Parkland’s leading scorer, Blake Nassry, who struggled in the first half but found his rhythm in the third quarter, contributing seven points. Despite being scoreless until then, Nassry’s resurgence helped Parkland maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.
Seniors Tyler Beck, Jude Ruisch, and Ryan Kearney played pivotal roles, with Beck achieving a career-high 19 points. He was instrumental during a critical second-quarter surge, where Parkland overcame a 16-9 deficit to take a 27-25 lead at halftime. “I felt really good today,” Beck stated. “My guys had my back and had confidence in me. Anyone can score on our team.”
Parkland’s performance in the third quarter was decisive. They outshot Central Catholic, hitting 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, while Central Catholic struggled with 4-for-15 shooting overall. With Parkland’s defense tightening and their offense firing on all cylinders, they expanded their lead to 37-25 midway through the quarter.
Central Catholic, ranked No. 7, initially led after the first quarter and attempted a comeback in the final quarter, aided by a half-court trapping defense. However, they could not capitalize on consecutive turnovers from Parkland, ultimately falling short. “They came out and hit a couple of big shots, and it snowballed on us,” said Central Catholic coach Dennis Csensits.
The Trojans’ victory is particularly significant as they are currently down two starters: TJ Lawrence, recovering from a football injury, and Javien Porter, sidelined for the last four games. Coach Eddie Ohlson acknowledged the team’s need to build chemistry amidst these challenges, stating, “We’re down two starters… This will help us with our depth.”
With this win, Parkland improves to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the EPC. Looking ahead, both teams are poised to build on their performances as they navigate through January and set their sights on the playoffs in February. Central Catholic, despite the loss, remains competitive with junior Cameron Hines scoring 17 points and Yariel Gonzalez and Jared Ford adding 11 points each.
Fans can expect more thrilling matchups as both teams continue to develop their strategies and strengthen their lineups leading into the postseason. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting basketball season!
