Chartiers Valley loses to Hershey in PIAA semifinals

Chartiers Valley's basketball team lost to Hershey in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals, ending their playoff run. The game took place in Clearfield, where Hershey capitalized on a crucial scoring slump by Chartiers Valley. Before halftime, Chartiers Valley had a nearly four-minute stretch without scoring. This allowed Hershey to make a 17-point run, turning Chartiers Valley's one-point lead into a 34-18 deficit. The Colts struggled offensively, shooting 27% in the first half, while Hershey shot 56%. Coach Corey Dotchin admitted that Chartiers Valley lost some composure during this stretch. Hershey's success was unexpected, as Dotchin and his staff had watched extensive game footage without anticipating such a strong performance from them. Despite the challenges, Chartiers Valley tried to mount a comeback in the second half. Jayden Davis, who had a tough first half, helped narrow the score with three-pointers. The Colts even reduced the gap to just two points in the fourth quarter but could not regain the lead. Hershey's balanced scoring was key to their victory, with four players scoring in double figures. Chartiers Valley's Julian Semplice led with 15 points, while Davis added 14. In the end, Hershey pulled away by dominating the final minutes, securing a 66-50 win. They will move on to face Neumann-Goretti in the state finals on March 28.