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By: Richard Hillwig | Monday, March 10th 2025
As time winded down in the 3rd quarter, the Wildcats were staring down the possibility of their season coming to an end, trailing 52-39. But when it mattered most, the resilience of the Wildcats was put on full display in the final eight minutes.
The Wildcats trailed for 31 minutes, and in the 32nd minute, the Wildcats got their first lead (59-58) of the night on a Kyle McNeil and-one at the completion of a three-point play. From that point forward, the Wildcats never let the lead go.
“They got us off the jump, but we really fought back,” said Ian DeCerb.
The Eagles jumped out to a 7-2 and continued to keep the Wildcats at bay for the first three quarters. Anytime the Wildcats got within the one to two point range, the Eagles would always counter.
“I think we really kept our composure,” said DeCerb. “We didn’t get down on ourselves when things weren’t going our way. We didn’t get some of the calls, but I thought we bounced back very well.”
“Not a lot went right tonight, but they kept scrapping,” said head coach, Brad Wetzel.
DeCerb had 25 points and 13 rebounds on the night, but his 15 first half points really kept the Wildcats in the game.
“If you are going to say one guy who really rose to the occasion tonight, I thought that Ian DeCerb became a man tonight. He really showed this team that he would fight for them. He (DeCerb) was an animal. There were moments like ‘Ian, take over’, and he did.”
Max Butler had three free throws in the final minute, and two of DeCerb’s 25 came at the line in the final seconds. Butler finished with 13 points and six rebounds, and John Wetzel had 11 points and five rebounds.
Jayden Ware had 19 points, Aidan Dauble had 16 points, and Brady Murray had 12 points for the Eagles.
This game against Exeter was the Wildcats first PIAA playoff game since 2017. And now, it marks the 1st PIAA playoff win for Brad Wetzel as head coach of Greater Latrobe, who was a part of the last PIAA win as a player back in 1987.
“This is a special group of guys,” said Wetzel. “They play for each other, they fight for each other.”
Not only was it memorable for the team to pick up the state playoff win, but the victory gave Wetzel his 300th win as Greater Latrobe’s head coach in his 23rd season.
“A lot of players deserve credit for the 300 wins and I’ve had some great kids along the way to put those numbers up,” said Wetzel. I’m proud of them just like I am of my staff and everybody who has helped to take part in it. A lot of generations of players took part in that.”
“To happen on night like this, our first state win, advancing in the state playoffs, and all that, it’s just extra special,” said Wetzel.
The Wildcats will face off against Greater Johnstown (25-1), who was the champion out of District 6, on Tuesday with the site to be determined. The last time the Wildcats won a PIAA before tonight, was against Johnstown, 87-56, back in 1987.
“I love these guys and I don’t want to stop playing with them,” said DeCerb.