Conwell-Egan's hoops season comes to crushing halt

Considering its lack of size, Conwell-Egan knew it would have its hands full against Bethlehem Catholic in Tuesday night's PIAA Class 4A second-round basketball playoff.

The Golden Hawks are able to repeatedly pound the ball inside to 6-foot-10 senior Ryan Young and his brother Kyle, a 6-8 junior.

Ryan Young, who is bound for Northwestern, registered 25 points, 10 rebounds (four on offense) and three blocked shots as the District 11 champs crushed the outmanned Eagles, 97-66, at Souderton.

Kyle Young contributed eight of his 10 points in the second half and added nine boards and three blocks.

"We tried to front the post as much as we could, but size is size," Conwell-Egan first-year coach Bryan Caver said. "You can only do so much."

Bethlehem Catholic (27-3) advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history. It will take on District 3 titleist Berks Catholic (28-2) on Friday at a neutral site and time to be determined.

Ryan Young posted 12 of his points in the third stanza. Overall, the big man shot 10 for 12 from the field and 5 for 5 from the field.

"I was impressed with his post game," said Eric Esposito, the Eagles' tallest player at 6-5. "He's strong, he knows how to use his body, and he's a good competitor."

The Golden Hawks seized command with a 21-3 explosion between the end of the first quarter and middle of the second. Ryan Young's reverse layup provided a 33-13 cushion with 4 1/2 minutes left until intermission.

Bethlehem Catholic was in front, 41-21, at the break and ahead by 70-39, entering the final quarter.

The Young brothers were supported by Justin Paz (15 points, four assists) and DeAndre Gardner (12 points, two assists). Fellow guard Kenneth Bell chipped in 13 points off the bench.

For Conwell-Egan, which closed with a 9-16 mark, senior guard Patrick Robinson shot 11 for 13 from the line en route to a team-high 23 markers and dished four assists. He averaged 24.3 points this season.

The 6-2 Robinson, a second-team all-Catholic selection, has drawn interest from the likes of Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, and University of the Sciences.

Esposito, who will continue his career at Holy Family, managed 15 points, eight boards, and two steals. He was a freshman reserve when the Eagles won a Class 2A state title in 2015.

"It's not fun to lose your last game like that," Esposito said. "But we showed a lot of heart, gave it 100 percent. Not having any height against a team like that is a tough thing to overcome."

Bethlehem Catholic 20 21 29 27-97

Conwell-Egan 10 11 18 27 -66

BC: Justin Paz 15, DeAndre Gardner 12, Ryan Young 25, Kyle Young 10, Scott Kuna 2, Ryan Santana 7, Dameon Robinson 4, Kenneth Bell 13, Julian-Sinclair Thomas 4, Bryan Santana 1, Caden Giordano 3, Domenico Italiani 1.

CE: Patrick Robinson 23, Delroy Gayle 5, Joe Baldachino 7, Eric Esposito 15, Terrance 10, Noah Andress 3, Avante' Williams 3.