HOUSTON'S BIG NIGHT

In the second half, State College attacked the rim time and again.

Drew Friberg opened the third quarter with a three-point play, powering through contact to finish on the right block. Tommy Sekunda played strong inside, finishing a handful of post moves and drives to set the example for his teammates. Freshman point guard Keaton Ellis went baseline and drew a foul and sliced through the lane for a layup.

When State College started to convert inside, the Little Lions gained some momentum and erased a nine-point halftime deficit.

“They got players, man,” Carlisle head coach Andre Anderson said. “They got guys that looked at us and said, ‘Look man, I’m not bowing down.’ Sekunda’s a player. Friberg’s a player.”

State College overcame a slow start to challenge the Thundering Herd in an intense second half, but the Thundering Herd prevailed, 64-54, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA tournament Saturday at Bald Eagle High School.

According to the team, it is the first state tournament win for the Herd since the 1988 Class AAAA state championship that capped off the school’s record four straight titles.

Carlisle (20-6) received a lift from big man Ethan Houston, who scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half. Deshawn Millington added 19. The Thundering Herd advances to the second round to take on North Hills on Wednesday at 7 from Altoona High School.

Carlisle started the game on 12-1 run, which included a pair of post finishes from Houston. The Thundering Herd pushed its lead to 17-4, and took a 20-8 lead into the second quarter. Houston capped the first quarter with a 3-pointer from the corner right after Gulley finished a breakaway dunk to bring the State College fans to life.

With the Little Lions fans chanting with their team on defense, Houston knocked down the 3, bringing the Carlisle fans to their feet.

It was the start of a big day for the 6-foot-6 Houston.