ORWIGSBURG – After Marian decked a talented Lincoln Leadership team in the quarterfinal round of the District 11 Class 2A tournament, an obvious question came into play for Wedneday night’s semifinal.

Was there still enough high-octane in the tank to run with Schuylkill Haven’s speedy Hurricanes?

The Colts responded in decisive fashion as they battled the favored Hurricanes from opening tap to final buzzer.

And when Haven’s superb guard Nigel Kuzanga came up short with a three-point shot from the corner as time expired - while the Marian players and fans held their collective breaths - the answer was a resounding yes.

Marian had pulled off a stunning 50-48 victory over the second-seeded Hurricanes on the campus of Blue Mountain High School.

The rewards for its victory are a berth into the PIAA tournament, and a chance for a gold medal Saturday against one of the best 2A teams in the state - Mahanoy Area.

Once again last night, the Colts relied on their defense and much like they did in their upset of Lincoln Leadership, the defense was aided by their ability to control the tempo.

Marian (15-9) also looked to its three gems to set the tone and pace the offensive attack. Julius Currie - looking fresh after a season-long battle with injuries - rose to the top with a 21-point performance. Right beside him was the ever-effervescent floor general Jacob Miller - who dished the ball and plugged in 10 points. Not to be overlooked was a sterling effort from Jessie Rodino who collared nine points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Joining the three-man band in creating sweet music were accompaninest Bruce Hopeck (six points) and James Rodino (five points).

“We knew that we had to play the game our way and get the ball inside,” said Marian coach Scott Murphy about the game plan that emphasized slowing down the Hurricanes. “They’re so well-coached. We had our hands full … but our kids once again did everything we asked of them. We executed extremely well.”

Miller’s ability to handle the ball, penetrate and create space allowed Jesse Rodino to get off to a good start with four points.

When Currie found his smooth stroke it made things more lethal for Marian, the senior drained seven points in the second quarter shooting the Colts on top, 23-21 at the break. His ability to pull up along the side and hit a short-range jumper was on display in the period.

“I like to take that step back after pulling up with my dribble,” said Currie about the move that produced many of his points.

Marian only trailed twice in the first half – 9-8 and 19-18. When Miller raced to the basket for a blow-by and Currie nailed a beauty of a triple that hit nothing but cotton, that late Hurricane one-point lead was gone and Marian had its halftime lead

“We have some kids that are playing very well right now,” said Murphy about the Colts’ postseason surge.

Marian rode those horses during the second half as well.

Currie picked off a pass and went the distance for a bucket to open the half. James Rodino recycled a miss keeping Marian up 27-25.

Finally the Hurricanes looked ready to make a spurt. They outscored Marian 10-6 late in quarter by turning to Leyden Hurtz, who bagged a trey and deuce in the rally for a 35-33 Hurricane lead after three quarters.

But the Colts never flinched.

Currie made another great move and hit a leaner off the glass, Miller rocketed to the iron off a steal, and when Currie flicked in another bucket the Colts were back in front.

“I needed to protect the ball,” said Miller. “The last time we played them, we didn’t do a very good job of protecting it, and that’s my job.”

Another Miller basket and power move by James Rodino had the Colts ahead 45-41 witht 2:27 remaining.

Travis Richie had an answer for the Canes. But Currie and Hopeck both drained two free throws for a 49-44 Marian lead with just :24 to play.

Haven wasn’t finished, however, as Richie buried a trey making it 49-47 with :18 left. Marian then missed a pair of charity shots, while Richie hit one of two from the line for Haven to make it a one-point game.

Currie was fouled with :04 left and made one of two.

That set the stage for Haven’s attempt at a buzzer-beating three.

But the shot was short and Marian danced off the floor with its second upset of the tournament.

“Saturday night, we’re playing the best team in the state.” Murphy said. “But we’re playing with confidence and playing our best basketball (of the season). We are excited for another opportunity to play them.”

REVENGE ... Haven (21-5) beat Marian by eight points in their regular season meeting.

BIGGIE ... Currie converting a four-point play at the beginning of the fourth quarter when he was fouled burying a trey and connected a foul shot to thrust Marian in front 41-39.

COUNTING IT UP … Marian shot 18-for-45 from the field; Haven was 18-for-55. Colts committed 13 turnovers and Haven eight. Marian had a 35-32 rebounding edge. Besides James Rodino’s 13 boards, Miller had eight and Hopeck six.

MARIAN

Currie 7-5-6-21, Miller 4-1-2-10, Jes. Rodino 4-1-6-9. Ja. Rodino 2-1-4-5, Hopeck 1-2-2-5, Tom 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-10-20-50

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Hertz 6-5-9-18, Richie 7-2-5-17, Jenan 3-1-1-8, Kuzanga 2-1-2-5, Carl 0-0-0-0, Evans 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-9-18-48.

Marian 9 14 10 17 – 50

Sch. Haven 8 13 14 13 – 48

Three-pointers: Marian - Currie 2, Miller 1, Hopeck 1. Schuylkill Haven - Hertz 1, Jenan 1, Kuzanga 1.