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Muncy produces valiant performance, but comeback falls just short as Wyalusing wins district championship

By Chris Masse 7 min read

MANSFIELD--Some Muncy players stood frozen in shock, others kneeled on the court and some cried.

None should feel regret.

Pursuing the program’s first District 4 Class AA championship since 2017, Muncy players relentlessly competed, emptied their barrels and did everything possible to win that crown. Ultimately, Wyalusing made one more play in a game which would make Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier smile because of the non-stop fighting each team produced.

Grayden Cobb sank two free throws with 25.9 seconds remaining and Muncy’s last-second shot was just off the mark as Wyalusing repeated as district champions, edging Muncy 49-47 in a thrilling final at Mansfield University’s Decker Gymnasium. The Rams (19-9) rallied from a nine-point deficit and went up seven late before Muncy (19-6) made a stunning comeback and tied the game in the final minute. The Indians did not win the championship they coveted so much but delivered quite a championship performance.

"The kids gave absolutely everything they had," Muncy coach Jason Gresh said. "They rose to the occasion and did everything they could and that’s all I can ask."

"Gresh was saying I think you guys left it all on the floor. We had some mistakes, but you can’t be perfect," Ross Eyer said after scoring 18 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and collecting his 23rd double-double. "There were some crucial things here and there that we missed or where we didn’t do something we were supposed to do but everyone gave all they had."

So did Wyalusing and together these excellent teams created a classic battle. The Rams returned four starters from last year’s championship team and the seniors put an exclamation point on their scholastic careers with a valiant performance. This Muncy team had little playoff experience entering the postseason, but seniors Gio Persun and Loudon Boring made huge contributions as did all the underclassmen and the Indians nearly won the program’s second championship since 2004.

The good news for Muncy is there now is an even loftier goal to pursue. The Indians head to the state tournament and will play District 11’s champion, either Shenandoah Valley or Tri-Valley, Wednesday at a time and District 11 place to be determined.

"You have to let this one sink in. We didn’t quite get where we wanted to go, so we have fuel for next year but at the same time we have to get over it and move on because we have a state game Wednesday," Gresh said. "We earned the right to go play in that. We’re healthy and if they play that hard, we can play with anybody."

"This stings bad. I feel like that is going to push everybody 10 times harder the next couple days, so when Wednesday comes there’s no more time to mess around. It’s time to go," Eyer said. "It’s quiet down there (in the locker room), but we started talking and we’re all ready to go. Now it’s time to turn it up and show everyone what we can do."

Eyer showed what he can do in a dazzling 36-second span, scoring eight straight Muncy points and tying the game 47-47 with 30.1 seconds remaining. Wyalusing was draped on Eyer like glue all night, but he was on a mission after the Rams had done up 46-39 with 61 seconds left.

When a Wyalusing player turned to his teammates and said, ‘Back-to-back!’ Eyer took exception and reminded him there was still time left. And 36 seconds was all he needed, first draining a long 3-pointer before draining two free throws and making it 46-44.

After Isaiah Way made a foul shot and put Wyalusing up three, Eyer worked his way inside, drew a foul, made the shot and then, following a timeout, finished the 3-point play. Just like that, Muncy had tied the game, 47-47.

"I was telling everyone in the huddle we can make a comeback, we just have to get down the court quick and I think everybody in the gym knew that I was going to try and take as many shots as I could in that last minute," Eyer said. "I’m just glad my teammates want me to score as much as I want to score. I know they’re looking for me and I know they trust me, and I really respect them for that. They want to set me up to get good shots and a lot of players don’t have teammates who are willing to give up shots for other shots. I’m really proud of our team."

It was Cobb’s turn to show off his clutch gene just 4.5 seconds later when he was fouled. Muncy was in the double bonus after being forced to foul late in the game, so Cobb (18 points) went to the line for two shots. The dynamic guard had changed the game’s complexion with consecutive 3-pointers earlier in the fourth quarter and shined again on the big stage, calmly making both shots and putting Wyalusing up, 49-47.

Muncy did not panic or force a bad shot in response. The Indians methodically worked the offense, looking for just the right shot before calling a timeout with 6.9 seconds remaining.

Boring took the inbound on the left wing and lofted a perfect pass toward Noah Confer who was cutting from across the court and toward the basket from the right. Confer, a sophomore who has excelled in his first season starting, caught the ball and went up strong. Way, however, contested the shot well and it was just missed as Wyalusing collected the rebound and ran out the final two seconds.

Way literally sacrificed his body for his team and appeared to injure his ankle after landing awkwardly following his outstanding play. His status was unknown, but he was able to rise on his own power and receive his gold medal.

"We got exactly what we wanted, and we got a shot," Gresh said. "That’s the key. You don’t want to go out and not get a shot in the last seven seconds."

At different times, it appeared this game was headed for something other than the dramatic ending which developed. Muncy looked like the more experienced team early, going up 12-4 after one quarter and extending that lead to as many as 10 before settling for a 27-18 halftime lead.

Every Muncy player made an impact, including Branson Eyer who scored 12 of his 15 points in that first half. Eyer, Boring, Persun, Confer, Eli Weikle and Michael Fry also did an excellent job all night of keeping possessions alive by either getting rebounds of tipping balls back out following misses.

Wyalusing, however, dictated the tempo in the third quarter and fought back as Muncy went cold from the field. The Rams tied it 33-33 entering the fourth and was still tied with 3 ½ minutes remaining.

That is when Cobb came alive. He first hit a long 3-pointer near the top of the key, putting Wyalusing up 40-37. Branson Eyer answered with a drive, but Cobb buried another 3-pointer and the Rams moved in front 43-39. Blake Morningstar made a beautiful backdoor pass to Way on the next possession and a Kashawn Cameron free throw had Wyalusing up, 46-39 with 61 seconds left.

Now it was Muncy’s time to come fighting back off the ropes and, oh, how it did.

"Basketball is a game of runs and they went up seven, but the kids fought back," Gresh said. "It was an absolute battle, and we know it was going to be an absolute battle, but the kids let it all hang out."

WYALUSING (49)

Grayden Cobb 6 2-2 18, Blake Morningstar 6 0-0 12, Isaiah Way 5 3-4 14, Abram Bennett 0 0-0 0, Hunter Moss 1 0-0 2, Kashawn Cameron 1 1-3 3, Nolan Oswald 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 6-9 49.

MUNCY (47)

Ross Eyer 6 4-7 18, Branson Eyer 5 5-6 15, Noah Confer 2 0-0 4, Gio Persun 2 0-0 4, Loudon Boring 2 1-1 5, Eli Weikkle 0 1-2 1, Michael Fry 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 11-17 47.

Wyalusing 4 14 15 16--49

Muncy 12 15 6 14--47

3-pointers: Wyalusing 3 (Cobb 2, Way); Muncy 2 (R. Eyer 2).

Records: Wyalusing 19-7. Muncy 19-6.

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