No Gold Rush For Seton-LaSalle as Rebels Boys Lose at Buzzer

By: Bruce Markey
Saturday, March 22, 2014 | 7:00 PM

The ball was in the right hands at the end of the game as Seton LaSalle had a chance to claim victory in the PIAA Class AA boys championship game against Philadelphia Constitution but Levi Masua’s three-pointer from the right win was a tad long and the Generals took home a 61-59 win over the Rebels at the Giant Center in Hershey.

(Left: Seton-LaSalle senior Levi Masua’s potential state championship winning 3-pointer at the buzzer misses as the Rebels lose by two to Philadelphia Constitution 61-59)

It’s the second state title for Constitution, defeating Lincoln Park for the Class A crown in 2012. The Generals hung on for the win, going just 3 of 8 in the final 2:27 from the free throw line. Masua hit a three to tie the game at 59 with 1:03 left but Christian DelGrego fouled Akeem King 59 seconds later as the Generals were ready to hold the ball for the final shot.

Seton LaSalle had a chance to take the lead but Dale Clancy threw up a wild off-balance shot, he fell to the floor, as he was laying, he caught the basketball but his body was on the end line, giving the Generals the ball. Again Constitution had a chance to seal the game, but Kimar Williams sunk 1 of 2 free throws, setting up Masua’s open look to end the game.

Both teams played even thru the first half, Constitution led 27-23 at the half. Seton LaSalle was able to mount their biggest lead of the afternoon in the third quarter. Malik White and Masua were both able to convert three point plays to put the Rebels up 34-29. Constitution was able to tie the game again, 43 all after three, setting up a great fourth quarter.

The Generals looked to pull away early in the fourth quarter, Seton LaSalle was cold from the floor, going 7:21 without a field goal, scoring only from the line. Constitution had a pair of 9 point leads on a three from Ahmad Gilbert and a jumper from Williams.

But Clancy hit a three to end the spell from the outside, Masua scored inside, he would score again in the paint to up the lead to three, after Raheem Liggins missed a free throw, Ryan Norkus made it a one point game. Gilbert answered to push the score to 59-56, setting up Masua’s three and the final 1:03.

Gilbert was the star for the Generals with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Williams had 14 points and 5 assists. Chad Andrews came off the bench to score 8 points and cleaned the glass for 9 boards. Constitution was 22 of 56 from the field for 39 percent, with just 2 three-pointers. The Generals was 15 of 24 from the line for the game and committed 9 turnovers. Constitution ends 28-5 and on a 6 game winning streak.

Masua finished his career at Seton LaSalle with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Clancy scored 16 points, both had a pair of threes. White fouled out of the game with 8 seconds left, he had only 6 points but 11 rebounds. Norkus just missed a double double with 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Rebels finished 20 of 51 from the floor for 39 percent with four threes. Seton LaSalle was 15 of 23 from the line and committed 12 turnovers. Both teams grabbed 38 rebounds.

The Rebels end the season at 29-2, seeing their 12 game losing streak coming to an end. It was the first title game appearance for Seton LaSalle since winning the 1988 Class AAA final.

Both teams that sent both boys and girls teams to Hershey split for the weekend. Seton LaSalle’s girls won the Girls AA title yesterday, while Neumann-Goretti took the Boys AAA title last night but fell to the Rebels in the opener.

Score by Quarters:
Philadelphia Constitution Generals : 10 – 17 – 16 – 18 = 61
Seton-LaSalle Rebels : 9 – 15 – 19 – 16 = 59