Updyke, Conemaugh Township earn trip to Heritage Conference championship game

Heritage Conference newcomer Conemaugh Township has impressed throughout the season. However, the top seed out of the East had to dig deep and battle against West No. 2 West Shamokin in the conference semifinals on Monday in Davidsville.

Led by senior Jon Updyke's 25 points and 10 rebounds, Conemaugh Township erased a halftime deficit and rallied for a 45-41 victory.

"I thought we got back in it with our defense early on," said Conemaugh Township coach Chuck Lesko. "In the fourth quarter, we gave up less than 10 points. If you can do that, keep your composure and execute at the right time, I think you're going to have success."

The game was tied at 12 apiece after one. Conemaugh Township never led in the first frame. However, Conemaugh Township opened the second on a 5-0 spurt to take a 17-12 advantage.

West Shamokin (12-9) did not score until 3:56 left in the second, when Braydn Rodgers netted two of his team-high 21 points. A 6-0 run gave the Wolves an 18-17 advantage. Rodgers tallied the final four points of the quarter and West Shamokin held a 22-20 advantage at the break.

It was a vastly different contest than the regular season matchup, where Conemaugh Township won 66-48 on the road Jan. 10.

Top performers Top Somerset County basketball, rifle, swimming and wrestling performers for Feb. 5-10

"Kudos to West Shamokin for coming in here and playing very well, which I thought they did, especially (Braydn) Rodgers," Lesko said. "He played very, very well. Hopefully, our young guys can learn something from this experience."

After Updyke delivered a three to open the third quarter, West Shamokin scored the next six points to take a 28-23 lead.

Conemaugh Township (18-3) responded and evened the game at 28, before Rodgers stroked a triple.

Athlete of the Week polls Vote for the Daily American Somerset County Athlete of the Week for Jan. 29 to Feb. 3

Ethan Matera, who finished with eight points in the game for Conemaugh Township, completed an old-fashioned three-point play and Updyke scored with 1:03 left to knot things at 33 headed to the fourth quarter.

Conemaugh Township trailed twice in the fourth, but Updyke had the answer both times, including a three and a bucket that put his squad up for good.

"I try to hit them with a move. If they went, you've got to take what the defense gives you," Updyke said.

Sophomore Colin Dinyar chipped in 10 points and six rebounds for Conemaugh Township. A team that features only one senior on the roster has continued to gel throughout the season.

"Of course, we're going to make mistakes. Three of them never really played playoff basketball," Lesko said of his team which features four new starters. "You can't simulate those moments in practice or anywhere else. You've got to live through them. Hopefully, they see the level of commitment it is going to take to move on. You're going to get everyone's best shot in the playoffs, no matter who it is."

Conemaugh Township will meet River Valley, a 50-47 victor over Conemaugh Valley, in the title game at 8 p.m. on Friday at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.

"It's new ... something other than UPJ," Updyke said in regard to playing a title game somewhere other than the Sports Center. "I'm excited to go play there."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X (Twitter) @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Conemaugh Township withstands West Shamokin in Heritage semifinals