The 3-pointer Perkiomen School allowed at the end of the third quarter foreshadowed the final eight minutes of the team's appearance in the semifinal round of

Perkiomen School's Ibrahima Bayu drives to the basket in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Conf- erence state tournament.

the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association state tournament. T.J. Berger's buzzer-beating shot allowed Westtown School to extend its lead to five.

            The No. 1 seeded Moose dominated the fourth quarter and rolled to a 71-54 victory on Friday, Feb. 21 at Montgomery County Community College in Whitpain Township. Jalen Warley scored seven of his game-high 26 points early in the fourth quarter to spark the decisive run.

            The No. 4 seeded Panthers (21-7) allowed 23 points in the final quarter. Head coach Tom Baudinet called it a total defensive collapse.

            "That's the worst fourth quarter I've seen us play all year," Baudinet said.

            Philip Byriel, a 6-foot-10 post player, finished with a team high 17 points for the Perkiomen School, which was knocked of the state tournament by Westtown School for the second straight year. Ibrahima Bayu added 10 points off the bench.

            "Nobody really felt too happy with themselves," said Byriel, a junior from Hazelton.

            According to Byriel, the Panthers wished for the opportunity to replay the final eight minutes. He called Warley's basket at the end of the third quarter deflating, but added that he didn't think it cost them the game.

            Less than eight seconds earlier, Joe Johnston's layup pulled the Perkiomen School within 45-43. According to Byriel, teams around supposed to score that quickly.

            "It certainly didn't help us," he said.

            After Gilbert Otoo's 3-pointer early in the fourth pulled Perkiomen School within 48-46, the Moose (23-7) took over. Warley sparked their decisive 11-2 flurry. Dereck Lively's dunk with 4:51 remaining opened a 59-48 lead.

            Following a 3-pointer by Byriel pulled the Panthers within 59-51, Westtown School responded with three consecutive backets to secure a berth in the title games. One day later, the team defeated Malvern Prep Saturday's 72-59 to capture its third state title in the last five seasons.

            According to Baudinet, the Moose's starting guard tandem of Warley and Berger – listed at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4, respectively – created matchup issues for Perkiomen School's guards.

            "Guarding them 1-on-1 was definitely an issue," the coach said.

            Westtown School's starting lineup included two players listed at 6-foot-11 or taller. Noah Collier, a 6-foot-8 senior who has committed to play at the University of Pittsburgh, delivered 17 points. Quinn Berger, a senior reserve, will play at the University of Pennsylvania.

            "Westtown is a very good team," Baudinet said. "Very talented. I thought our guys were prepared, ready to the play the game."

            Byriel and Bayu helped keep Perkiomen School in the game. Byriel, limited most of the season by injuries to both his ankles, converted five 3-pointers. One of them staked the team to a 39-39 tie late in the third quarter.

            "Phil's game has evolved during the year," the coach said. "When he's healthy, he can really shoot."

            Steve Payne and Honor Huff, Perkiomen School's top two guards, combined to score only nine points. Payne, a senior point guard, scored six points despite foul trouble. Huff, a junior, finished with just three points.

            "Those two guys carries us during the first two games of states," Baudinet said. "Their shots weren't falling."

            The Pamthers were scheduled to compete in the Great Atlantic Conference on Wednesday at Scotland Campus in Chambersburg.