Jack Mangene’s all-around performance guides SJCA boys’ basketball to win, PIAA tournament
Jack Mangene wouldn’t be denied.
The St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy do-it-all senior fought off four Blacklick Valley players for a fourth-quarter offensive rebound, missed the put-back attempt, hit the boards again and got the left-hand finish to go down with bodies draped on his back.
It’s not that Mangene “went off” on Tuesday night. But in the words of SJCA coach Richard Ciambotti, the senior simply “refused to let the team lose” in the District 6 Class A consolation game. And his effort was enough to push the Wolves to the PIAA state tournament.
SJCA ousted Blacklick Valley 52-46 at Tyrone High School after Mangene recorded 22 points and 18 rebounds. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder accounted for the Wolves’ first 12 points and proved crucial down the stretch, securing SJCA’s spot in the state playoffs as District 6’s No. 3 seed.
“He’s unbelievable,” Ciambotti said of Mangene. “He just willed the team tonight.”
With the win, the Wolves (19-5) move on to face the runner-up out of the WPIAL. Vincentian Academy and Nazareth Prep play in the District 7 championship on Thursday night. The first round of the PIAA state tournament is scheduled to start March 8.
It wasn’t easy for the Wolves to make it this far. Not only was Tuesday night an intense game, but SJCA had to rebound after losing in overtime in Saturday’s district semifinals to Juniata Valley.
“The game Saturday night took its toll this week,” Ciambotti said. “For 24 hours, they were pretty disappointed, knowing that they had a good chance of winning that game and going back to the district championship. But I didn’t see any evidence of a hangover on the practice floor. I thought they were focused.”
That focus didn’t fully translate Tuesday night. Ciambotti said his team played “a step slow” and looked “discombobulated” at times. But Mangene stepped up, and so did a few teammates.
SJCA received a boost from guard Cameron Khoza, who sprained both of his ankles in the game’s opening minutes and later scored 12 second-half points. In the fourth quarter alone, the sophomore had “ice water in his veins,” Ciambotti said, nailing a pair of contested 3-pointers.
SJCA seniors Ryan Peachey and Zane Thornburg also chipped in eight and six points, respectively, helping the Wolves to the PIAA tournament.
“It was one of our goals,” Ciambotti said. “I’m happy for our guys.”