Rodgers and Harrington Shine as Pioneers Advance to State Finals

The defeated Northampton 56-43 and will play in the State title game on Saturday. Senior Matt Harrington hit the first bucket of the game and never looked back. Harrington hit four big 3 pointers on his way to a game-high 18 points.

Senior Richard Rodgers was right behind him with 12 points and about a half dozen vicious blocks at the DCU Center Wednesday night. The first of Rodgers' blocks came after freshman T.J. Kelley was blocked, and what looked to be fouled, on the other end of the floor. Rodgers sent that ball a few rows deep.

Harrington made a tough pass to junior Pat Talentino, who was able to lay it in just as time expired in the first quarter. The score was 16-7 at that point.

In the 2nd quarter, the offensive boards started to add up for Junior Matt Palecki. The big man for the Pioneers was tough as nails, as he continuously tipped loose rebounds, eventually gaining control, and giving the Pioneers extra chances. Palecki finished with 10 points.

The Northampton Blue Devils found themselves down 29-16, but came back roaring in the third quarter. After a good scoring display from junior Jarrod Neumann, Northampton was only trailing 34-27 at the start of the fourth quarter.

"We played a great offensively tonight, but we played even better on the defensive end," Rodgers said. "They made a run in the third quarter, but Coach Foley told us to keep our heads up, and keep playing hard. That's what we did."

Things got chippy at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Richard Rodgers got tangled up with Northampton Senior Grant Cooper while on defense. Rodgers responded by calling for the ball on offense, and crossing-up Cooper from just behind the 3-point line. Rodgers chose not to toss up a deep three, but instead found Harrington, who was fouled on a 3-point attempt. Harrington hit 2 of the 3 free throws. The Pioneers held strong for the last few minutes, and defeated Northampton by 13.

"In the third quarter, they did a great job taking away what we were trying to do, but eventually we got the ball moving, and found openings for Palecki and Rich," Harrington said. "In the next couple of days, we have to go really hard at practice, so that we are prepared for St. John's Prep."

St. John's will face St. John's Prep in the state championship this Saturday at the DCU Center.