After falling short in last year's championship game (a 71-64 loss to Vesuvio's), Martin's Printing wasn't about to let history repeat itself this season. On Wednesday evening in the Tamaqua Area Athletic Center, fourth-seeded Martin's Printing claimed its first-ever Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission (ESRC) summer basketball league championship with a 69-58 victory over third-seeded E Mortgage Management.

In the playoffs, Martin's defeated fifth-seeded Lucky's Deli 85-57 in the quarterfinals, upset top-seeded and defending league champion Vesuvio's 69-56 in the semis, and avenged a regular season loss to E Mortgage Management (58-44) with an 11-point victory in the championship game.Martin's Printing, who is undefeated this season when playing indoors (4-0), caught a huge break when a severe storm rolled through the area minutes prior to tip-off and moved the championship game from the North and Middle Ward Playground to the Tamaqua Area Athletic Center.From there, Martin's wasted no time setting the early tone by racing out to a 23-13 lead in the game's first 10 minutes. Martin's found a comfort level behind the three-point arc, as 12 of its 24 field goals came from long distance, including five treys in the opening 10 minutes. At the half, Martin's found itself with a commanding 38-27 lead.Every time E Mortgage Management tried to mount a rally, Martin's Printing answered right back and the lead was in double-digits for most of the second half (with Martin's largest lead swelling to 18 points).Martin's Printing used a balanced scoring attack by placing five players in double-figures. Brandon DeCosmo drained five-three pointers with a team-high 17 points to lead the way. Christian Laputka added 13 points, while Damian Fritz added 11. League scoring leader (and league MVP) Ethan Eichhorst factored in with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Jordan Wartman contributed 10 points off the bench.For E Mortgage Management (8-3), Cory Houser scored a game-high 29 points off 10 field goals, including four three-pointers. Houser scored 21 of his team's 31 second half points. Danny Miller added 10 points, while Tom Toth pulled down nine rebounds.Despite the loss, E Mortgage Management ended up outrebounding Martin's, 35-26.With the win, Martin's Printing will represent the ESRC and the Tamaqua-area in the 24th Annual Tournament of Champions, which is being held next week at the Catasauqua Borough Playground. After receiving a first round bye, Martin's Printing will take on the winner of Mountain Top /North Catasauqua on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.MARTIN'S PRINTINGCleveland 2-1-2-6, Laputka 5-0-0-13, Fritz 5-1-2-11, Dolan 0-0-0-0, Ferentz 0-0-0-0, Wartman 3-2-2-10, Eichhorst 3-3-6-10, Sharkey 3-2-2-10, DeCosmo 5-2-2-17. TOTALS: 24-9-16-69.E MORTGAGE MANAGEMENTDerr 2-1-2-5, Toth 1-0-0-2, Frey 2-3-6-7, McMasters 2-0-0-5, Miller 3-2-2-10, Tamagini 0-0-2-0, Houser 10-5-6-29. TOTALS: 20-11-18-58.Martin's 23 15 16 15 - 69E Mortgage 13 14 12 19 - 58Three-Pointers: Martin's Printing - DeCosmo 5, Laputka 3, Sharkey 2, Cleveland 1, Eichhorst 1; E Mortgage Management - Houser 4, Miller 2, McMasters 1.LEAGUE MVPEthan Eichhorst (Martin's Printing)ALL-ESRC FIRST TEAMMike Conley (DJ 1:01); Brandon DeCosmo (Martin's Printing); Ethan Eichhorst (Martin's Printing); Cory Houser (E Mortgage Management); Danny Maguschak (Vesuvio's); Kyle McGee (Sherry Dental)ALL-ESRC SECOND TEAMParris Cleveland (Martin's Printing); Mike DeMarco (Vesuvio's); Jeremy Frey (E Mortgage Management); Jake Szczecina (Dedicated Fitness); Shavinskin Thomas (Sherry Dental); Erick Trabal (Batter's Box)