Neighborhood Academy reaches state finals for first time

Neighborhood Academy's basketball team achieved a significant milestone by reaching the state finals. The team won a decisive 55-38 game against Otto-Eldred in the PIAA Class A semifinals held in Erie. Courtney Wallace, who will play for Yale, is a standout player for the Bulldogs. However, the team's success is not solely dependent on him. In the semifinals, four players contributed by scoring in double figures. Kedron Gilmore led with 14 points, followed by Syncer Nicholson with 13, and Shamar Simpson, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Neighborhood Academy's strong performance this season has been exceptional. With a record of 28-1, they will face Sankofa Freedom Academy, the District 12 champions, in the finals. The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey. Wallace also made a significant impact in the semifinal match, nearly achieving a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. He has accumulated 77 points over four playoff games. Otto-Eldred had previously defeated several teams, including Nazareth Prep and Serra Catholic, before facing the Bulldogs.