CLARION, Pa. – Four teams will battle for two spots in the District 9 Class AA boys’ basketball championship game when they meet at Clarion University’s Tippin Gym for a pair of semifinal games Tuesday.
In the lidlifter, second-seeded Redbank Valley (18-6) will take on sixth-seeded Moniteau (10-13) at 6 p.m., while following that game top-seeded Cranberry (18-4) will battle fifth-seeded Brockway (10-13).
In addition to a spot in the D9 Class AA title game, the winners of the games also secure PIAA playoff berths.
Both games will be broadcast on D9Sports.com.
(2) REDBANK VALLEY (18-6) vs. (6) MONITEAU (10-13)
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
Where: Clarion University’s Tippin Gym
Game Summary: Redbank Valley, the runner-up to Brookville last year when only one team made the PIAA postseason, is looking to end a long PIAA playoff drought. The Bulldogs haven’t been to the PIAA postseason since 1991 and haven’t won a District 9 title since winning their second D9 title in 1980 in Class AA after taking home the 1975 Class B (now Class AA) title. Moniteau, meanwhile, went to the PIAA playoffs in 2011, when they finished second in District 9. That was the third time since 2004 the Warriors made the title game, but they have never won a District 9 title … This is the third meeting this year between the KSAC South foes. Redbank won the first two meetings taking a 48-41 decision in New Bethlehem Jan. 2 and then getting a 59-45 win at Moniteau Feb. 6 … Redbank reached the semifinals with a 54-46 win over Brookville Thursday at Tippin Gym behind 16 points and 12 rebounds from Jake Dougherty, 13 points from Sam Heeter, 11 from Dalton Dougherty and nine points and 11 rebounds from Zach Westover … Moniteau defeated Port Allegany 48-31 Wednesday at DuBois High School behind 20 points from Cody Skiver, who scored 10 in the first quarter helping the Warriors to a 17-4 lead in the quarter. Jake Fullerton had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while James Bair had 12 boards.
(1) Cranberry (18-4) vs (5) Brockway (10-13)
Cranberry Stats Brockway Stats
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24
Where: Clarion University’s Tippin Gym
Game Summary: Cranberry is coming off a two-week layoff last playing Feb. 10 when it beat North Clarion 59-51. The Berries enter the postseason having won 9 of 10 with the lone loss coming to Redbank Valley (51-45) Feb. 7 … Brockway defeated Karns City, 43-42, in the quarterfinals Thursday overcoming a three-point deficit in the final 30 seconds to get the win behind 16 points from Andrew Serafini. It was the Rovers ninth win in 12 games after starting 1-10 … These programs are no stranger to each other having met in two District 9 title games since 2009 with Brockway getting a 45-38 win in 2013 and a 32-29 victory in 2009, the last two Rover titles. Cranberry won the title in 2008 beating Kane in overtime for its only District 9 title since entering District 9 in 2005.
