State College looks to control tempo in PIAA matchup with Carlisle

The State College boys’ basketball team has been able to win games in a variety of ways this season.

The Little Lions have played in high-scoring shootouts, used their press to bury some opponents and grinded out other wins. They’ve shown the ability to adapt their game plan from opponent to opponent, something they’ll do again as they continue postseason play.

After using its press to break Altoona in the district championship game, State College (13-10) will look to slow it down against Mid Penn Conference foe Carlisle (19-6) in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA tournament at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Bald Eagle Area High School.

To control the tempo, State College coach Joe Walker said his team needs to execute its offensive sets.

“That was big last time against Carlisle,” Walker said. “We had only eight turnovers, which I think might have been a season low and running really good halfcourt offense to put pressure on their defense but really get good shots.”

The Little Lions won that game 61-54 on Jan. 20, but dropped their first game against Carlisle 59-45 in early December.

Both teams are hot going into the state tournament.

The Thundering Herd has won seven of its last eight games, with its lone loss coming in the District 3 quarterfinals in overtime to eventual champion Reading, considered to be one of the top teams in the state. State College has won 10 of its last 12, a streak that started in mid-January.

“We know both of us are kind of peaking,” Walker said. “They’re playing really, really well.”

The Little Lions are hoping to keep the game in the 50s after pushing 70 points in the district title game last Saturday.

Walker said his team will need to be ready for Carlisle’s press and its halfcourt traps.

If the Little Lions can handle the pressure, Walker thinks his team can find success in the halfcourt.

The coach identified his team’s size as a strength against Carlisle. The Little Lions boast a starting lineup that includes 6-foot-6 sophomore Drew Friberg, 6-foot-5 junior Tommy Sekunda, 6-foot-4 junior Andrew Witt and 6-foot-3 sophomore Brandon Clark.

Carlisle is led by a pair of 6-foot-1 guards in Deshawn Millington and Jordan Purcell.

“We’re very long,” Walker said. “They’re athletic but they kind of cancel each other out as long as we rebound. Drew’s big inside, Tommy, Brandon, they’re all pretty big inside in terms of size compared to some of their guards.”

Despite their size, Walker said Carlisle’s guards are active on the offensive glass.

The Thundering Herd’s success starts with its backcourt.

Millington is a 1,000-point scorer who is averaging 18 points per game this season. Purcell is averaging 14.2 points per game.

“Millington is unbelievable with the ball. It’s like on a string like a yoyo, and Purcell’s a very good ball handler,” Walker said. “They have a lot of good ball handlers.”

Walker said State College had success playing man-to-man defense in its win over Carlisle. He’s also seen opponents play a 2-3 zone against the Thundering Herd.

The Little Lions’ focus will be on keeping Millington out of the lane.

“With Millington, he’s going to get his 16, 17 points,” Walker said. “You hope for not more than that, but it’s really tough to contain him.”

This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 11:58 PM with the headline "State College looks to control tempo in PIAA matchup with Carlisle."