Friday, March 19, 2010

Trinity Boys’ Basketball road to the District III & PIAA State Championship


Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to follow the Trinity boys’ basketball team as they attempted to capture their third consecutive District III, Class AA title.

Trinity entered District III playoffs with a number two seed. We start off with the District III, Class AA Quarterfinal game against seventh seeded York Catholic played at Chambersburg High School. Let make just make it known that the new Chambersburg High School gymnasium is amazing! First off, the lighting inside this gym is amazing! I didn't have to use the strobes, but did just to fill any shadows. Second, the gym has a second tier where there is an indoor track as well as additional seating, so I was able to attach my strobes to the railings on the upper tier instead of on the court side bleachers. Anyways, onto the game action.

Below, York Catholic's Adam Sentz (5) is knocked down as Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a lay-up.

York Catholic's Nicholas Full (24) and Michael Sperring (20) attempt to block Trinity's Eric Kindler (31).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves the ball up court

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) makes a move towards the basket as York Catholic's Michael Sperring (20) closes in from behind.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for a way around his York Catholic defender.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) attempts to maintain possession of the ball.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for an open teammate as York Catholic's Adam Sentz (5) attempts to block.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) grabs the rebound over York Catholic's Joseph Falci (3).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves around York Catholic's Spencer Kubala (25) & Christopher Chesko (22).

Sweat flies from Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) after contact with a York Catholic defender.

Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. calls a play from the bench late in the game.

As the game progressed into the fourth quarter and Trinity started pulling away from York Catholic, I decided to walk up onto the second tier as I mentioned earlier to get a different perspective.

Below, Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) looks a way around York Catholic's Gary Laucks (12) late in the fourth quarter.

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) looks to pass the ball as York Catholic's Nicholas Full (24) blocks.

Trinity would go on to defeat York Catholic 63-48 and advanced to play third seeded Hanover in the semi-finals.

Trinity defeated Hanover 62-39 and advanced on to the District III, Class AA championship game where they faced number one seeded Lancaster Mennonite at the beautifully lit Giant Center in Hershey.

As I mentioned above, Trinity entered this game looking for their third consecutive District III title. We pick up the action from this game:


Below, Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) makes his way to the basket as Lancaster Mennonite's Jon Lapp (15) closes in from behind.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) attempts a lay-up as Lancaster Mennonite's Zachary Zook (24) tries to block.

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) shoots a jump shot as Lancaster Mennonite's Corey Leonard (44) blocks.

Lancaster Mennonite's Phillip Yoder (31) attempts to block Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) from shooting a lay-up.

Trinity's Marcus Holt (22) looks for an open teammate as Lancaster Mennonite's Ryan Schloneger (11) closes in to block.

Below, Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) maneuvers his way through the Lancaster Mennonite defense.


Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) covers a Lancaster Mennonite player as he takes the ball down court.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a shot as Lancaster Mennonite Ryan Schloneger (11) tries to block.

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) attempts a three point shot with heavy coverage from the Lancaster Mennonite defense.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) covers Lancaster Mennonite's Dean Royal (52).

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) applies the defensive pressure to Lancaster Mennonite's Jon Lapp (15) .

Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. chats with his players during a time out.

As Trinity started to distance themselves from Lancaster Mennonite, I headed up to the second level to get some overhead shots.

Below, Trinity's Michael Rohm (15) shoots an easy lay-up.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for a way around his Lancaster Mennonite defender.
After getting a few shots from overhead, I hustled back down to the court in anticipation of any Trinity players celebrating.

Below, Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) holds up three fingers signifying three consecutive District III, Class AA titles.

Trinity's teammate Jack Osborne (24) and Eric Kindler (31) celebrate after capturing their third consecutive District III, Class AA Boys Basketball championship.
Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. congratulates Tom Gruschow (3) with his gold championship medal.

Trinity players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Lancaster Mennonite 77-65 for their third consecutive District III, Class AA Boys Basketball championship.

With their win over Lancaster Mennonite, Trinity would face Strawberry Mansion in the first round of PIAA Class AA Championship playoffs. The game was played at East Pennsboro in Enola. It was back to using the strobes and pocket wizards to light the inside of these low-lite high school gyms.

Below, Strawberry Mansion's Marque Griffin (5) moves towards the basket as Trinity's Mike Diminick (12) tries to block.

Trinity's Mike Diminick (12) tries to maintain possession of the ball early in the game.

Strawberry Mansion's Devonte' DJ Newbill (25) looks for a path around Trinity's Jack Osborne (24).

Strawberry Mansion's Khyree Wooten (15) attempts to block Trinity's Jack Osborne (24).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves the ball down court as a Strawberry Mansion defender tries to block.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a shot as Strawberry Mansion's Khalil Meadows (22) tries to block.

Trinity's Mike Rohm (15) and Strawberry Mansion's Khalil Meadows (22) chase after a loose ball.

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) makes a move towards the basket late in the game.

As the game came to a close, Trinity players sat on the bench as they watched their potential post-season come to a close.
It did in fact end here as Strawberry Mansion defeated Trinity 68-46. With the loss, Trinity's season was over. Though, Trinity had no reason the hang their heads. Three consecutive District III titles is quite an accomplishment and we will have to wait until next season to find out if they can in fact grab number four.

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