Connor Crossey leads inspired Franklin Regional to OT win over Latrobe
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Friday, January 31, 2025 | 10:54 PM
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey celebrates with head coach Jesse Reed after defeating Latrobe, 73-71 in overtime, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional senior Caden Brush participates in a ceremonial tip-off Friday.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey scores in the final second of overtime to defeat Latrobe, 73-71, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey is mobbed by the student section after defeating Latrobe, 73-71 in overtime, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Latrobe’s Max Butler drives to the basket against Franklin Regional defenders during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey drives to the basket to score between Latrobe’s John Wetzel (10) and Ian Decerb during overtime on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey celebrates after scoring in the final second of overtime to defeat Latrobe, 73-71, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Latrobe’s Ian Decerb scores over Franklin Regional defenders during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Jonah Johnston battles Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch for a loose ball during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Drew Devola drives to the basket against Latrobe’s Kyle McNeil during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Colin Holt pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Colin Holt pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Jonah Johnston drives to the basket against Latrobe’s Andy Tatsch during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey pressures Latrobe’s Max Butler during their game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Anthony Mitchell celebrates with Connor Crossey after Crossey was fouled while scoring during their game against Latrobe on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
Franklin Regional’s Connor Crossey celebrates after scoring in the final second of overtime to defeat Latrobe, 73-71, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Murrysville.
From the time Franklin Regional’s Caden Brush, a senior stricken with leukemia, won a ceremonial opening tip while sitting in his wheelchair, the Panthers had someone to play for and a reason to win.
And that’s before you factor in the playoff implications that made this a must-win Section 1-5A game for the host Panthers on senior night.
Inspired by Brush and fired up to continue their push toward the postseason, the Panthers followed Connor Crossey’s lead — a career-high 38-point night, including the go-ahead basket — and slipped past Latrobe, 73-71 in an overtime thriller Friday night in Murrysville.
Latrobe passed and weaved, holding for the final shot to inside 10 seconds. But it never got a shot off.
Jonah Johnston came up with a steal and passed ahead to Crossey, who made a left-handed layup with 3.6 seconds left in OT to make it 73-71.
Latrobe still had 0.8 seconds, and Max Butler heaved a shot from just over halfcourt that hit the banking square twice before bouncing out.
“Caden is literally a friend I grew up with,” said Crossey, who scored 14 of his 38 in the fourth quarter. “It was wonderful to see him out there.
“There are no words to explain tonight’s win. Senior night, against Latrobe. We were so locked in.”
Franklin Regional (10-10, 5-7), winners of 4 of 5 and in fifth place in the section with the top five qualifying for the playoffs, led for a few minutes of the third quarter, but Latrobe (16-4, 8-4) led for all of the fourth.
That was until Crossey made two free throws with 40.4 seconds to tie it 67-67.
Ian DeCerb and Butler made defensive stops to prevent the Panthers from winning in regulation.
In overtime, DeCerb finished an alley-oop lob from John Wetzel to give the Wildcats a 71-69 lead.
Drew Devola drove in for a layup to tie it at 71-71 before Crossey’s winner.
“I am just so proud of our guys,” Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed said. “We lost by 20 at their place. We continue to fight and find a way. We’re not the same team we were six weeks ago. It’s a testament to our guys. They are playing with no fear.”
Johnston added 19 points for the Panthers, meaning he and Crossey accounted for 57 of the 73 points.
“That was one of the best performances I have seen from one guy I’ve coached,” Reed said.
Already in the playoffs, Latrobe has dropped 3 of 4, including a last-second 54-52 loss to Penn-Trafford on Tuesday, after winning 10 straight.
The Wildcats are tied for second with McKeesport.
Butler had 23 points, including four 3s, DeCerb added 16 and John Wetzel 10 in this loss.
“We’re not communicating or playing with the energy necessary when the game starts,” Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel said. “We gave them life. There was some lopsidedness; It should be called two sides, but we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position.”
Latrobe led 23-18 after a breakneck first quarter, and took a 33-32 edge into halftime, with Johnston blocking a shot by Butler at the end of the half.
Franklin Regional took its first lead, at 34-33, on a Crossey jumper, and led until an 11-0 run by Latrobe put the Wildcats in front 49-44.
Crossey quelled the run with a 3, but Latrobe stretched the margin to nine (58-49) on a driving layup from Wetzel and again (at 61-52) on a 3 from Dom Scarton with 3:50 left in the fourth.
Colin Holt made a layup and then blocked a shot before Crossey and Anthony Mitchell made fast-breaks baskets to tie it 65-65.
Wetzel scored on another take with a minute left, but Crossey tied it again at 67-67 with two free throws.
Crossey had 14 of his team’s 23 points in the final quarter of regulation, including two 3s.
“I didn’t know I had that many,” Crossey said. “You’re not thinking about it in the moment.”
He made 12 of 13 free throws, a game after he hit 13 of 14 against Laurel Highlands.
The Panthers made 21 of 24 free throws as a team. Johnston was 9 for 10.
Latrobe was 7 of 14 from the line.
“(Franklin Regional) had some extra looks, offensive rebounds and loose balls,” Brad Wetzel said. “Those are things a team needs to do to win games.”
Reed said the team played for Brush, who wore his No. 44 jersey and cheered for his teammates.
“When you see him in the gym, he has so much resiliency and pep in his step,” Reed said. “None of us have it as hard. We wanted to make it a great night. Tonight was bigger than basketball.”
Brad Wetzel talked with Brush before the game.
“I told him it’s great to see him stronger and that he’s in our prayers,” the coach said. “They played like a goal-minded team.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Franklin Regional, Latrobe
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