Keystone Oaks Boys, Girls, Basketball Head To Playoffs

The Keystone Oaks Lady Golden Eagles play their first basketball playoff game in years Friday while the boys' team hopes to go farther as they continue to build a team for the future.

The 12th seed Lady Golden Eagles, 15-7, play the New Brighton Lady Lions, 7-13, at 6:30 p.m. in the first round of AA playoffs at Moon Area High School.

“Records and seeds really don’t mean anything at this point,” coach Gene Mercuri said. “Both of these teams have done enough to get into the playoffs. Now it comes down to who executes and who wants to move on.”

Mercuri doesn’t think the unchartered territory will be much of a factor.

“After the first couple possessions, it’ll feel like any other game. If we go out there and execute the way we know how, we’ll be fine,” he said.

The Lady Golden Eagles have won their past three games and Mercuri has confidence in them.

“These girls have always been good enough. But now they have confidence. You put those two things together - talent and confidence - you’re going to be a tough team to beat in the playoffs,” he said.

The winner plays the Avonworth Antelopes on Tuesday.

The 19th seeded boys' team, 11-11, face the 14th seeded Ringgold Rams, 15-7, in AAA play at 8 p.m. 

Both teams have lost three of their last four games, but that’s a somewhat misleading statistic.

“Prior to the last couple games of the season there, we had won seven of nine games,” Golden Eagles Coach Mike Pfeuffer said. “We lost a couple tough games this year, very close and rather unlucky. We’re a confident bunch and we know we’re going to play well out there.”

As has been the case throughout the season for the Golden Eagles, the emphasis will be on team defense. In particular, the Golden Eagles will need to shut down the Andrew Stine, the Rams’ leading scorer.

“He’s a great player,” Pfueffer said. “If you don’t play good defense, he’s the type of player that will take advantage of it and drop 30 points on you. Defense will be the key for us to win the game.”

Ringgold is known for their 3-2 zone defense, often frustrating opposing teams’ offenses and forcing turnovers. 

From an offensive standpoint, the Golden Eagles, led by Rocco Contristano and Cory Sevacko, will need to be patient and opportunistic.

“If we force plays that aren’t there or get impatient with the ball, we’re going to get ourselves into trouble," Pfeuffer said. "We need to stay patient on offense and take advantage of the opportunities. They’ll be there, and if we capitalize, we’ll put ourselves in a great position to the win the game.”

The winner plays the Blackhawk Cougars on Tuesday.