POTTSVILLE — It just keeps rolling along for Northwestern Lehigh’s sports programs.

The Tigers claimed three state titles in the fall, winning a PIAA Class 3A football championship, while the boys and girls soccer teams collected 2A crowns, with all three programs going unbeaten.

Now the wins keep piling up for the winter sports teams, who are a combined 18-1 between boys and girls basketball and wrestling. The unbeaten Tigers’ boys basketball team chalked up a fifth-straight victory Monday, downing Pottsville 65-56 at Martz Hall in a non-league contest.

To be sure, the Crimson Tide wanted an up tempo game with their stable of quick guards.

Northwestern preferred the halfcourt attack, and got it to its liking for most of the contest.

Tigers’ coach Pat Wanamaker wasn’t shy about the quick attack, though he has an inside presence in 6-6 Shane Marth and 6-2 Mason Bollinger, and a pair of slick guards in Eli Zimmerman and Gavin Nelson. If that doesn’t click, Brady Krimmel can also get it cooking.

“We’re not afraid to run the ball down the court,” Wanamaker said. “If we have to do it, our guards can handle that pace.”

Nelson made a living at the foul line late in the game when Pottsville was scurrying in desperation mode trying to create turnovers. Instead, Nelson was sticking it to the Tide defense. He converted 13 out of 16 foul shots, including 8-of-10 at the charity stripe in the final five minutes.

“I really don’t mind pressure,” the 5-9 senior said after he dropped in 22 points. “If teams want to foul me, I’m okay with that ... I feel comfortable shooting fouls.”

Marth, on the other hand, was banging heads with Pottsville’s inside strength, 6-4 Ivy London and its star player 6-3 Christian Alvarez. Marth was more than effective — he was outstanding. He had a game-high 11 rebounds and added 17 points.

“Yeah, it did get a bit physical at times,” Marth said, “but I just kept digging. That’s what it is all about when you have to go inside and get those rebounds and play. They’ve got two guys (inside) so I had to work harder on both offense and defense.”

Pottsville’s bane was the lack of shooting and rebounding. The Tide battled up hill, especially in the second half. They managed just two third-quarter rebounds and only 22 in the contest, compared to Northwestern’s 33, and a paltry six in the second half.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” said Pottsville coach Jake Wartella. “I love the effort, our kids are fighters. They’re a very physical team, and we’re going to play a lot of physical teams on our schedule.”

The Tide seized a 23-22 lead when Lotrel Montone flung in a triple with 3:54 to play in the first half. Northwestern set sail on a 9-3 run to race off with a 29-23 halftime lead. Marth started to assert himself with five points in the rally.

There was a time when it looked like Pottsville was getting trampled on, as the Tigers built a 10-point cushion (44-34) heading into the final eight minutes. Nelson sank five of six foul shots, Krimmel buried a triple, while Zimmerman and Marth each had three points in the 15-point rally.

Nelson and Marth stayed hot for a 52-41 lead to open the fourth quarter, but Pottsville had enough gumption in its belly to turn the tables in a matter of two minutes. It was led by the terrific play of Alverez, the team leader with 19 points in the game, unsung Ryder Bowers (15 points), and Montone to get within striking distance at 54-48. Alverez sank two foul shots with 3:43 remaining, and it looked promising for the Tide.

But Nelson went flying down the court for an uncontested bucket, and Pottsville’s hopes faded quickly.

“My uncle Mike Gulla (former coach), once told me to enjoy every win, and that’s what we’re going to do, and enjoy the Christmas break,” Wanamaker said smiling as he left for the team bus.

GETTING LEGS … The Tigers basketball team wasn’t at full strength until two weeks ago, waiting for the football season to end. Zimmerman and Bollinger were football starters, as was Brady Zimmerman, brother of Eli. Other gridders joining the team were Josh Warmbold, Braiden Berk and Mike Lagowy.

KEEP FALLING … Pottsville had a penchant for tossing in treys. The Tide had 10, led by Bowers with five.

SPLITSVILLE … Pottsville won the JV game, 66-33.

NORTHWESTERN

Krimmel 4-0-0-10, Bollinger 2-0-0-4, E. Zimmerman 3-1-2-8, Nelson 4-13-16-22, Marth 6-4-7-17, Wambold 0-0-0-0, Fitch 1-1-2-4, Coleman 0-0-0-0, B. Zimmerman 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 20-19-27-65.

POTTSVILLE

Watkins 3-0-0-7, Alvarez 5-7-11-19, Montone 4-3-4-12, Bowers 5-0-0-15, Ivy 0-0-2-0, Bainbridge 1-0-0-3, McGinley 0-0-0-0, Flucker-White 0-0-0-0, Herndon 0-0-0 0, Allen 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-10-17-56.

Northwestern 15 14 15 21 – 65

Pottsville 18 5 11 22 – 56

Three-pointers: Northwestern - Krimmel 2, E. Zimmerman 1, Marth 1, Fitch 1, Nelson 1; Pottsville - Bowers 5, Alvarez 2, Watkins 1, Bainbridge 1, Montone 1.

Records: Northwestern (5-0); Pottsville (5-4).