The 2024-25 Beaver Area Boys Basketball team is among an elite group. The Bobcats brought home only their fourth section championships after their win at Avonworth February 7.
Coach Jason Bumblis and the Bobcats also were given the number three overall seed in the playoffs and a first round bye.
January 31 the Bobcats won at Ambridge 78-58. Senior Brady Mayo led the Bobcats in scoring with 34 points, and junior Micah Pupi chipped in with 13 points.
February 4 the Bobcats won a big section game at home over Quaker Valley 53-41. Mayo again led the Bobcats in scoring with 26 points, while junior Junior Marino chipped in with 13 points.
The Bobcats also prevailed over QV the first time they met in early January, but the Quakers had serious upset potential. The Quakers won at Avonworth in an upset win after Avonworth beat them by 30 points the first time they met.
The Bobcat win over Quaker Valley set up a section championship matchup at Avonworth.
February 7 the Bobcats earned a share of just the fourth section title in program history. The Bobcats defeated Avonworth 76-75 in overtime after falling to Avonworth at home the first time they met.
The Antelope crowd was sold out and absolutely electric. But the Bobcat fans traveled well which played a big role in their victory.
Mayo was a crowd silencer, scoring 45 points and willing the Bobcats across the finish line. Marino also stepped up with 15 points and a clutch three-pointer late in the game.
Sophomore Jake Peluso took a huge charge on Avonworth star Rowan Carmichael by fouling him out in the early fourth quarter. Carmichael scored 44 out of his team's 57 points last time the Lopes met the Bobcats.
"We just need to play as a team and keep doing the things that got us to this point," proclaimed Marino about the Bobcats' chances of playing at the Pete.
The Bobcats then awaited the winner of Derry at Central Valley in the first playoff round February 14. A playoff edition of the backyard brawl against Central Valley could again break the Bobcat basketball attendance record.
As hoped, CV overcame Derry which set the Warriors on the road to Beaver for a February 19 showdown. Check the next BASD ECHO for the remaining post-season coverage.