Burrell-Deer Lakes championship game offers historic basketball matchup

Something will take place Friday that hasn’t happened in 86 years — two Alle-Kiski Valley boys basketball teams will battle each other for a WPIAL title.

In 1938, Ford City defeated Har-Brack, 32-26, for WPIAL honors. It was so long ago, neither school still exists.

Nor did the two A-K Valley schools vying for this year’s championship.

Friday’s Class 3A title game will pit defending champ Deer Lakes (20-4) against local rival Burrell (16-7) at 5 p.m. at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.

The former Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell school districts merged in 1951, went their separate ways in 1955 and then reunited for good in 1960. Deer Lakes began operating in 1969.

“It’s enormous that two Allegheny Valley teams that have played each other multiple times will meet on Friday for the championship,” said East Deer Commissioner Tony Taliani.

“It’s great exposure for our entire Allegheny Valley — it helps to enlighten people to who and where we are.”

The historical implications of the game are not lost on Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry.

“It is great to see two local teams in the final,” Fabry said. “Sports are so important to developing character in our youth, so it’s great to see the region so well represented.”

And the chance to make history goes even further.

Deer Lakes is trying to become the first Alle-Kiski Valley school to win back-to-back titles since that 1938 Ford City squad followed the 1937 team’s championship. The Lancers are the first A-K Valley school to appear in WPIAL title games in consecutive seasons since Valley High School did it in 1975 and ’76. The Vikings lost to Uniontown in 1975 and to Farrell the following season.

Still, that history doesn’t mean much to some of the teams’ die-hard fans. They’re living in the moment.

The youngest students in both school districts are some of the biggest — and definitely the loudest — fans of both teams. The Deer Lakes and Burrell basketball teams walked through the halls of their elementary schools Thursday afternoon as pep rallies of sorts.

“The halls (at Bon Air Elementary) felt a little smaller, but it’s good to see the smiles on the kids’ faces,” said Macky Bennis, a Burrell senior.

“When I was this age, I dreamed of playing at The Pete.”

Students at Bon Air and Stewart elementary schools made signs for the players, shook pom-poms and cheered and chanted for the boys.

At Bon Air, students were asking teachers all day when the basketball team was coming, said teacher Nicole Heasley.

“The kids look up to the boys,” she said. “They’ve been really excited to learn the boys made it that far, and we wanted to do something to support them.”

Many of the younger students have closely followed the team throughout the season and they see the players as celebrities, Heasley said. She added that it was surreal for her and other teachers to watch the team’s players walk the halls after they were students at Bon Air years ago.

“It’s great to see what kind, respectful boys they are. This couldn’t have happened to a better group of boys,” she said.

Lucas Reo, a second grader at Bon Air, said he was excited to see Tucker Bitar, a player he’s cheered for this season. Classmate Jordan Fantuzzo — son of coach Mike Fantuzzo — was looking forward to getting high-fives from the players.

The team also got a warm welcome from students at Stewart, even getting asked for autographs. Esau King-Buchak, a senior on the team, was surprised when the students asked for his.

“I love it,” he said. “I love the community. This really warms my heart.”

Macky Bennis’ mom, Robin, is a fourth-grade teacher at Stewart. She’s confident Burrell will bring home the win.

“It’s the Burrell community. We have all come together for this team. They deserve it,” she said.

Fabry said it’s been exciting to watch the Burrell team defy the odds. The Bucs entered the 16-team Class 3A tournament as the No. 11 seed, and all three of their wins came against higher-seeded teams. They are coming off a win over the No. 2 seed, Mohawk, and now faces top-seeded Deer Lakes.

“An 11-seed knocking off a 2-seed is always something special,” Fabry said. “Hopefully they can keep the momentum going and bring (the WPIAL championship) home Friday.”

Deer Lakes players were similarly showered with support Thursday.

Senior Wayne Love enjoyed a celebrity welcome at East Union Intermediate Center with teammates Aiden Fletcher, Billy Schaeffer and Christian Dietrich. Students erupted in chants and cheers when the team walked the hallways with senior cheerleaders.

The young students held signs and waved Sharpies, clamoring for autographs and getting players’ names on their shirts, shoes and even skin.

Fifth grader Donnie Ryan got his forehead signed and said the experience was “awesome.”

Garrett Slowikowski, 10, cemented his prediction for the game, saying the Lancers were going to win for sure.

Teacher Kevin Cochran boomed “Repeat” as the team paraded past his classroom. He taught Love in fourth grade and said following the team has been inspirational for the whole community.

“It’s been a dream,” Cochran said.

And the excitement wasn’t confined to the schools.

East Deer Township Secretary Chrystal Carmen was busy Thursday making sure her lucky shirt was clean ahead of Friday’s big game.

Wayne Love is her nephew and Carmen’s family has followed him through his three-sport career at Deer Lakes High School.

“We don’t miss too many games,” Carmen said.

“It’s a big deal for our family but, more so, it’s a community thing,” she added. “The high school cheerleaders had the best shirts made. They say, ‘When you play Deer Lakes, you play the whole community.”

Up next

No matter which team brings home the title, both have already qualified for the statewide PIAA tournament and expect to start state action on their home floors.

On March 9, the WPIAL champion will play the winner of the District 10 consolation game between Mercyhurst Prep and Fairview. The loser of Friday’s game will open against the winner of the District 6 consolation game between Altoona’s Bishop Guilfoyle and Tyrone.

State brackets will be released Sunday. Deer Lakes made the state finals last season, losing to Philadelphia’s West Catholic.

If the two schools continue to win, they could meet for a fourth time this season on March 19.