Octorara Boys Clinch District Hoops Championship

Octorara's Mike Navaro hoist the championship trophy surrounded by teammates at the Villanova Pavilion Saturday night. (Phote coutesy of The Daily Local News)

In a closely fought game the Octorara Braves defeated Holy Ghost Prep of Bensalem 46 Saturday night to 41 to win its first district championship in 25 years.

The game started off slowly as both teams played ferocious defense as they worked out their offensive jitters.  Midway through the 2nd quarter both teams found the bucket.

Octorara's 3 point shooting prowess and lighting fast speed to the basket were the difference and allowed the Braves to take a lead halfway through the second quarter, an advantage they never relinquished.

Ahead by 10 points with 3 minutes to go, Octorara saw its lead dwindle to 2 points with 1:51 on the clock as Holy Ghost began a full court press and Octorara couldn't make its foul shots.

The Braves rallied controlling the last 90 seconds of the game to walk away with a five point win.

The the Braves will face Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt in the first round of the State Championship Friday evening in Hershey.

Get the full story in the Daily Local News and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Parkesburg Yesterday

By guest contributor Gerry Treadway

Located north of town along Route 10, Crystal Springs Park opened in 1910 on July 4^th and quickly became an area attraction for many years.

Folks came to Crystal Springs by trolley and automobile to dance in the ballroom, picnic in the grove, boat on the lake, stroll on the promenade or get drinking water from the spring.

The park was the original site of the annual Old Fiddlers’ Picnic now hosted at Hibernia Park north of Coatesville.  Thousands of visitors came to the picnic every year.

In later years the park became the site of weekly flea market and farmers market and a roller skating rink.

Today the area where the park once sat is the location of the Crystal Spring Apartments built in the early 1970’s.

Boys' Hoops Championship Tipoff Saturday At 6

Octorara's Lamont Clark dribbles around Kennett's Kenshi Kobayashi during December's Ches-Mont American boys basketball game.

 
Octorara's boys basketball team will conclude their run for the school's first district championship in 14 years Saturday evening when they meet Holy Ghost Prep at Villanova's Pavilion recreational facility and arena.

The game will feature the athletic, fast-paced Braves (20-5) game against the disciplined, fundamentally sound Ghost Prep (20-7) team. 

The Braves/Ghost matchup tips-off at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available at the door for $7.00.

Other district final games start at noon and run through 8 PM.  Sounds like a fun day and night of basketball.

Come out and cheer on our Braves!

Directions From Parkesburg to The Pavilion:

• Take the 30 Bypass East to 202 and 202 East to King of Prussia
• Take I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) to Exit 331A(I-476 South/Chester) to Exit 13 (US 30 St. Davids/Villanova).
• At bottom of ramp turn right (at light) onto Route 30 East, also known as Lancaster Ave. 
• Proceed east on Route 30 and at the fifth traffic light you will see Jake Nevin Fieldhouse on the far left corner of the intersection, where Ithan crosses Route 30/Lancaster. 
• The Pavilion is to the left of the Fieldhouse on Ithan. 
• Turn right onto Ithan Avenue and park in Main lots on either side of the road.