HERSHEY, Pa. — The Central York boys' basketball team was crowned the PIAA 6A state champions on Saturday evening following a thrilling 53-51 victory over Parkland at Giant Center in Hershey.
"This is everything. I’m so proud of these guys, so proud of the coaching staff," said Central York junior forward, Ben Rill, who led his championship squad with a team-high 17 points. "The hard work shows this whole week."
The Panthers came out the gate hot, hitting four of eight 3-pointers in the 1st quarter. Efficiency backed up by a solid defensive-effort that limited the three-point shooting Trojans to just 22% beyond the arch, had Central York going into the halftime break up by 10.
The second half would be a different story. Parkland's defense stepped up all while they're too well known three-point shot started falling. It was a slow come back that cut the half-time 10 point lead to just one possession on the final play. However, Central York's toughness and grittiness that carried them through their playoff dream run saw them through.
A shot taken by Parkland's Blake Nassry is closed down by Central York sophomore guard Brooklyn Nace, and goes wide right. Central York are crowned PIAA 6A state champions.
"They were just tough as nails, are kids fought through that adversity," said Central York Head Coach Jeff Hoke. "I am just so proud of our guys, they don’t quit. They always believe in themselves."
"All of those factors have allowed us to play in the brightest lights, be able to step up and compete in this moment," said Central York forward Greg Guidinger, the lone senior on the championship team. "It wasn’t a perfect game but that’s what makes it even sweeter because we didn’t need it to be. We just knew we were going to be competitors and go out there and work our butts off and just man, what a moment and just what a way to win."
A first title win in program history that turned doubters into believers. Believers that have been on this championship Panthers squad all-season long.
"We were a five-seed coming into the state playoffs, but I knew we were a one-seed because of the way that we were working, the effort that we were going to put in," said Guidinger. "It came down to how hard we wanted to work and how badly we wanted it."
It's a championship win for the history books. Central York becomes the first-ever York-Adams League public school to win a state title in boys' or girl's basketball. Before this year's dream playoff run, Central York had only three PIAA wins in program history and had never been to a state final. That all changed this year, with five-straight wins to bring home the school's first-ever state title.
"Bringing home the first York County state championship in basketball, it means everything to us," said Rill. "The hard work and dedication, the sacrifices we made, the early mornings at practices, it means everything to us."
A history book the team, that had only one senior on its roster, believes is not yet completely written.
"Let’s run it back! I think we got the team, we got the talent, to do what we do best," said Rill. "We still have all the dogs, all the coaches, all that we need really, I can’t wait to run it back with these guys next year."
"I hope that what I did can stick with these guys and they can surpass me and become even better," said Guidinger. "I don’t want this to be a one stop shop. I want this to continue to cultivate and I want this culture to continue to grow and I’m just so excited for these guys."