Basketball Recap: Jacob De La Cruz's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Marian Catholic over Mahanoy Area

Marian Catholic lost against Mahanoy Area back in March of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. Marian Catholic took a 67-53 bruising from the Mahanoy Area Golden Bears. While losing is never fun, Marian Catholic can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania basketball rankings (they are ranked 399th, while Mahanoy Area is ranked 27th).

Marian Catholic's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jacob De La Cruz, who posted 13 points. Another player making a difference was Gregory Tirpak, who put up 11 points.

Mahanoy Area had a senior duo take command as Jace Yedsena went 10 of 17 en route to 23 points along with six boards and three steals and Tanner Zawada went 6 of 14 on his way to 20 points in addition to five rebounds and five steals. Yedsena's evening made it four games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Peyton Sendatch, who went 5 of 8 on his way to 10 points and six rebounds.

This is the second loss in a row for Marian Catholic and nudges their season record down to 5-5. As for Mahanoy Area, the win keeps them at an undefeated 11-0.

Marian Catholic will venture away from home to take on Shenandoah Valley at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. As for Mahanoy Area, they will host Pottsville at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Both teams are headed into the matchup with plenty of momentum (Mahanoy Area has won 19 straight at home dating back to last season, while Pottsville won three straight on the road), something that'll have to change.