Tristan McDannell celebrates among teammates after their District 6, 1A Championship. Photo for the Mirror by Chuck Meyers

CRESSON — Last year’s District 6 Class 1A boys basketball championship left Bishop Carroll Catholic’s Tristan McDannell with a lot of physical and mental pain.

The star guard suffered a leg injury in the first half and wasn’t able to play in the fourth quarter of the Huskies’ five-point loss to Juniata Valley.

McDannell was back to full health, and along with help from a balanced effort from his teammates, he was wearing a gold medal around his neck following Bishop Carroll’s 67-47 triumph over Williamsburg in Wednesday’s championship game at Mount Aloysius.

“It was rough last year, going down with that injury,” McDannell said. “It was personal this year. We had to come back and get another one. Two hours a day, 365 days a year, we worked for this. We’ve got the talent, the hard work and the grit.”

McDannell’s 19 points led the Huskies, but there were plenty of other standout performances.

Nolan Burk’s size inside proved to be too much for the Blue Pirates. The 6-foot-6 inch senior finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.

“We talked about it from the beginning that we had to pound it inside and take advantage of our size in the paint,” Burk said. “When you’re scoring in the paint, you open it up for everyone else.”

Burk also said last year’s loss was on his mind.

“We were extremely inspired,” Burk said. “That was probably the fuel for the entire season. That day we lost last year, it’s all we could think about was getting back here.”

Bishop Carroll’s Scotty Semelsberger added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“Scotty was big today,” Bishop Carroll coach Cosie Aliquo said. “I thought all morning, one day he’s going to step up, and boy did he rise at the right time.”

Several other players had highlight moments.

“We have been waiting for (offensive balance) all year,” Aliquo said. “I have been telling our guys that everyone on this team can score. Jordan (Bobroski) scored in different ways. He’s usually making 3s, but today he drove to the basket. Nate (Dumm) hit a 3, and he’s usually driving to the basket. Hamid (Rodkey) was getting to the hole and making layups. Everybody chipped in today.”

The Huskies will play the winner of District 9’s Class 1A consolation game between A.C. Valley and Clarion-Limestone in the first round of the PIAA playoffs. Williamsburg also advances and will play the loser of District 9’s championship game between Elk County Catholic and Cameron County.

“I’m proud that our guys are in this position, playing in the championship game,” Williamsburg coach Brock Anders said. “Some of the lofty goals we set, we surpassed and to be playing in this game is a tribute to the guys and how hard they have been working.”

The Blue Pirates fell behind 27-10 early in the second quarter before closing the half on a 10-0 run that cut Bishop Carroll’s lead to 31-25.

“We were down early, and we understood the monumental task of playing these guys with their size and their basketball skills,” Anders said. “For us to respond and get it back to a two-possession game at halftime was great. I didn’t think we made shots in the second half, which was a big thing. We had open shots, and we just didn’t knock them down. If we’re not going to hit shots against a quality team like that, we’re in trouble.”

A Josiah Dowey 3-pointer cut the lead to five points, but that was as close as Williamsburg got. Bishop Carroll scored the next six points and began to pull away.

Dowey led the Blue Pirates with 17 points, and Jared McCall snared eight rebounds off the bench.

“I’m proud of the community support,” Anders said. “They came out in droves tonight to support our guys, and I couldn’t be prouder. It just wasn’t our night tonight.”

Anders is hoping for an extended state playoff run to help his young team continue its turnaround after Williamsburg won just three games a year ago.

“My youth has worked extremely hard,” Anders said. “They have an expectation of winning, and they bring that to the floor. Our seniors have come along as the year went on and filled a role to help our youth. We’re taking these games as building blocks for our future.”

WILLIAMSBURG (47): Dowey 7 0-0 17, Palmer 3 3-4 9, Uplinger 1 0-0 2, James 1 0-0 2, S. Brantner 1 1-2 3, W. McCall 1 0-0 2, J. McCall 1 1-2 3, Hileman 4 0-0 9, Frew 0 0-0 0, Kunsman 0 0-0 0, Kagarise 0 0-0 0. Totals — 19 5-8 47.

BISHOP CARROLL (67): Burk 6 1-2 13, Dumm 3 0-0 7, Rodkey 2 1-2 5, McDannell 8 2-3 19, Semelsberger 5 5-6 15, Bobroski 2 0-1 4, Kilraine 1 0-0 2, Amigh 1 0-0 2, T. Golden 0 0-0 0, Heinrich 0 0-0 0, Farabaugh 0 0-0 0, J. Golden 0 0-0 0. Totals — 28 9-14 67.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Williamsburg 10 15 11 11 — 47

Bishop Carroll 21 10 16 20 — 67

3-point goals: Williamsburg 4 (Dowey 3, Hileman); Bishop Carroll 2 (Dumm, McDannell).

Records: Williamsburg (15-8); Bishop Carroll (15-9).

Officials: Mike Andrews, Joe Hanna, Brock Kauffman.