Several weeks ago, the Parkland boys basketball team celebrated its Senior Night at the end of the regular season.
Saturday's PIAA 6A tournament opener marked the last game for the 10 seniors on this year’s championship team.
The seniors and everyone in Parkland uniforms made a lasting impression on their fans at 2700 North Cedar Crest Boulevard.
Jayden Thomas scored 20 points and Robbie Ruisch and Zaire Smaltz added 17 each as the Trojans had a 65-35 victory over Plymouth-Whitemarsh, which some might call a Senior Night win.
Parkland's sixth straight postseason win sent them into the second round, and their next match will be against either Chambersburg or Central Bucks East.
The Trojans stand to do well in future games if they maintain their current level of play.
Parkland first-year coach Eddie Ohlson emphasized the need for the team to bring their best game in each upcoming match, acknowledging the strength of their opponents.
The team's performance was so well-rounded that even star player Nick Coval, who is the MVP of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, finished fourth in scoring but led with five assists.
Ruisch commented on the team's confidence in each other and their ability to make successful passes and shots.
Although the game was close for a while, the Trojans finished the first quarter with a 12-7 lead and then dominated the second quarter.
Ruisch mentioned that he tried to focus on the game and not dwell on the fact that it was their last home game.
Ruisch expressed that although he initially thought about the significance of the game, he was able to maintain focus once it started.
Although Plymouth-Whitemarsh attempted to rally in the second half, they were unable to close the gap beyond 35-26.
P-W was led by Ben Marsico, the senior guard, who scored 10 points and made two of the team’s five three-pointers.
However, Parkland finished the third quarter with a 15-2 run sparked by Thomas, and the mercy-rule clock was activated in the fourth period.
The Trojans managed to involve 10 players in the game, but only four of them scored. Parkland shot 25 out of 44 from the field and made 9 out of 10 shots at the foul line. The home team only had one turnover in the first half, nine overall, and committed only 10 fouls.
Smaltz grabbed 10 rebounds, while Coval and Ruisch each collected seven boards. Although Luke Spang, another senior, didn’t score, he had a well-rounded game with four assists, several rebounds, and blocks.
It appears that the most important factor is that Parkland is not satisfied with its current achievements. On the 20th anniversary of a team that reached Hershey for a state final, a team that included their coach as the point guard, these Trojans do not want to cease their efforts.
"We won districts, we won leagues, but that's in the past," said Smaltz. "We need to step up in the state tournament because the other teams are prepared to compete. Today, their point guard got into foul trouble, which was significant. We made their second-best player take difficult shots, which got into his head. This caused a downward spiral. Our goal was to force other players to defeat us."
The players socialized with family and fans for a long time after the game ended. Although they will not have any more games in their home arena, they hope to be practicing for the next two weeks.
"We have ambitious goals and we are determined to achieve them," Smaltz stated. "We aim to make a strong run in the state tournament, and perhaps even win it if possible, which it most likely is. As a team, we must continue to work hard because it will only become more challenging from here on."
Parkland 65, Plymouth-Whitemarsh 35
Plymouth-Whitemarsh 7 – 12 – 9 – 7 — 35
Parkland 12 – 21 -17 – 15 — 65
PLYMOUTH-WHITEMARSH (35)
Colzie 2-10 0-0 4, Marsico 4-6 0-0 10, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Hayes 0 1-2 1, Sajid 3-8 1-4 9, Gallagher 1-2 0-0 3, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Sayles 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 14-30 2-6 35.
PARKLAND (65)
Coval 5-9 0-0 11, Spang 0-2 0-0 0, Thomas 7-12 5-6 20, Ruisch 6-9 1-1 17, Smaltz 7-10 3-3 17, Nassry 0-3 0-0 0, Pulver 0-0 0-0 0, Johns 0-0 0-0 0, Rogers 0-0 0-0 0, Paz-Romero 0-0 0-0 0, Toth 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-45 9-10 65.
3-pointers: PW (5-17) Marsico 2, Sajid 2, Gallagher. Parkland (6-14) Ruisch 4, Coval, Thomas.
Rebounds: PW 15 (Pereira 4); Parkland 28 (Smaltz 10).
Assists: PW 6; Parkland 18 (Coval 5).
Turnovers: PW 10; Parkland 9.
Fouls: PW 15; Parkland 8.
Officials: Jack Keiter, Dennis McWhite, Andrew Kallsta.
Other boys winners
On Friday night, Bethlehem Christian won its first-ever PIAA game, defeating the City School from Philadelphia 64-58 in a Class A first round game. The Panthers got 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists from Gabe Transue as they avenged a 60-36 loss to City School in last year’s first-round. Amari Williams scored 14.
Executive Education won a first-round match for the sixth consecutive year, defeating String Theory 76-42 in Class 3A to prepare for a game with perennial District 3 powerhouse Trinity on Wednesday.
In a match at Rockne Hall, Notre Dame-Green Pond defeated defending 3A state champion West Catholic 44-39 and moved on to Wednesday's second round to play against District 4 powerhouse Loyalsock.
