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Abington Heights guard Jordan Hollander is blocked by Central York’s Brandon Shaffer on a drive to the basket during a PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball game March 7.

Matt McDonald of Abington Heights led all scorers with 12 points during the Comets’ 47-40 win over Central York in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball playoffs March 7.

Clay Basalyga of Abington Heights drives to the basket against Central York during a PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball first round contest March 7.

Abington Heights guard Tyler Ksiazek shoots a jump shot over Central York’s Jared Wagner in a PIAA Class AAAA boys basketball game on March 7.

SCRANTON — No Abington Heights player scored more than 12 points during the team’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA opening round game on Feb. 7 at the Lackawanna College Student Union.

But it didn’t matter.

A balanced scoring effort, topped by Matt McDonald’s 12 points, led Abington Heights past Central York, 47-40, giving the Comets their first-ever win in the PIAA boys basketball playoffs as a Class AAAA school.

With Abington Heights’ leading scorer, 6-foot-7 junior center Tim Toro, battling foul trouble, the Comets received contributions from a variety of sources.

“They did a great job of taking away Toro,” Abington Heights head coach Ken Bianchi said. “If we were going to be successful, other guys had to step up and they did. Chase (Wickenheiser) really did a good job for us coming off the bench. We’re looking for athletes and he’s a football player, a tough kid. He kept a lot of the balls alive by tapping them out and scored a couple baskets for us.”

McDonald scored four early points and Tyler Ksiazek, who finished with six points, hit a 3-pointer to give Abington Heights a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Central York (20-10) started the second quarter on a 9-5 run to lead 21-18, but Abington Heights scored five of the next six points, including a 3-pointer from Jordan Hollander right before the halftime buzzer.

Abington Heights trailed by three points with 1:14 remaining in the third quarter before Wickenheiser, who contributed four points and three rebounds despite not playing during the District 2 Class AAAA playoffs, scored a bucket to cut the deficit to one entering the final quarter.

“Every single day during practice, I’ve been giving 110 percent and always trying hard,” Wickenheiser said. “My dad always tells me to never give up, because you never know when your opportunity is going to come. My opportunity came today and I was so glad that I was able take advantage of it and help our team get a big win.”

Bianchi was pleased with the Comets’ effort on the defensive end of the floor, particularly the final 2:22 of the game when Central York was held scoreless.

“Our defense was pretty good, they got some open shots in the middle but if you told me before the game they would have 40 (points), I’d be very thankful,” he said.

Clay Basalyga, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds, picked up his play in the fourth scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds.

Central York head coach Kevin Schieler believed the Comets’ cohesion on the court was the key to their win.

“They have fantastic discipline and they’re a fantastically coached team,” he said. “Every time we did something, they made some adjustments. Every single guy who stepped on the floor executed everything well.”

Abington Heights (22-3) will play LaSalle College (20-6) in the second round of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 at Freedom High School in Bethlehem.