Franklin Regional prepares for grudge match with Moon at PIAAs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 6:10 PM

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Just press play, Jesse.

As of Friday night, Franklin Regional boys basketball coach Jesse Reed had yet to watch the film of his team’s 53-48 loss to Moon in the WPIAL Class 5A championship game.

It was too gut-wrenching a setback to relive.

“Now, I guess I have to,” Reed said after the Panthers (26-3) toppled Shaler, 63-51, in the PIAA quarterfinals at Gateway. “We’re excited about this opportunity we have. Moon has a great coach and a great team. It’s going to be awesome.”

Franklin Regional, which is having its best season in 27 years, will look to extend it even farther when it gets a rematch with Moon (26-3) on Monday in the state semifinals.

Tip is 7 p.m. at AHN Arena in Peters Township.

The winner will advance to the state final 8 p.m. Friday night against either Archbishop Ryan (20-9) or Imhotep Charter (26-3) at Giant Center in Hershey.

The thought of Moon celebrating late on a Friday night at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center still makes the Panthers uneasy.

“We wanted another shot at Moon,” Franklin Regional senior guard Colin Masten said. “We know we can beat them.”

Franklin Regional blew a 10-point lead in the second half March 1 at Petersen Events Center, an occurrence that still doesn’t sit right with the fast-paced Panthers.

“We need to play harder than we did last time,” Panthers senior guard Cooper Rankin said. “Our rotation has to be better with backside (help). We double-teamed (Elijah) Guillory, but we didn’t have the backside help.”

Guillory, a Youngstown State commit, had 11 points against the Panthers last time.

Reeman had 13, but Michae Santicola, a 6-foot-5 junior, had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

“We played them tough,” Reed said. “They made some plays down the stretch, and we didn’t.”

Rankin had 23 points, and Cam Rowell added 16 in the win over Shaler.

The Panthers forced a number of turnovers with their halfcourt pressure, which led to fast-break baskets, and the team’s trademark transition ignited.

“They are a great team playing really well right now,” Moon coach Gino Palmosina said of the Panthers. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Senior Connor Crossey added 10 points, and Masten had nine, including a key layup and four late free throws.

“All of our dudes are playing hard and making an impact,” Reed said. “We’re really excited that we’re still playing for a championship.”

Franklin Regional had its team banquet Sunday but would like to get together as a group when the season is officially over to celebrate its first state title.

There was no discussion about delaying the event.

“It’s OK,” Reed said. “Our boosters worked hard to get it all set up. Let it rock.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Moon