Northwestern sophomore Deven Bollinger is listed on the school’s official roster as being 6-4.

However, considering his early play in Friday’s game and overall impact on his team’s 55-35 dismantling of Palmerton, the talented forward might as well be 6-10.

The inspired effort of Bollinger, as well as his teammates, in this clash of Colonial League foes launched the Tigers into district playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.

“It feels amazing,” Northwestern head coach Billy Hallman said. “I’m just so proud of the kids because they’ve been putting in a lot of hard work. We challenged the guys and they knew the importance of this game and what was on the line tonight.”

Bollinger, son of Amy (Mlkvy) and Robert Bollinger, and grandson the late Dr. Bob Mlkvy, a Palmerton basketball legend, was fully aware of the importance of this game.

“This definitely feels good,” Bollinger added. “It’s the first time making it to districts in about 10 years, and to get it against a team where most of my family grew up, it’s really nice to get this win.”

Right off the opening tip, Bollinger’s short, baseline jumper opened up the scoring, and he eventually scored nine of his team-high 14 points in the crucial first frame.

“We knew the game was an important one for both teams,” Bollinger said. “The coaches have been challenging me to come out and play every game at the start, the way I usually play to finish games. I think I did that tonight.”

The Tigers eventually raced to a 20-11 first frame edge.

“Normally, we struggle with getting out to a good start,” Hallman said. “But the kids were ready to go the minute they stepped into the gym tonight. The first quarter was huge for us, and we got back to our game, which is up and down the floor, we run our lanes, and if we didn’t get anything on the break, we were patient, and brought it out and got into our offense.”

The Tigers maintained a comfortable lead (27-16) at halftime and continued to widen that margin in the second half as the Bombers never got the deficit under double digits.

For Palmerton (9-10, 7-8), the task ahead of them grows as now they need to win two of their remaining three games to garner an automatic post-season berth.

“Palmerton is a great team and Ken (Termini) does a great job with them,” Hallman said. “I’m rooting for them, and I hope they get two more wins and get into districts themselves.”

Sam Yadush matched Bollinger with 14 points for Northwestern. He remained solid with heady play at point, while harassing the Bombers with his defense.

“Sam does a great job with the ball,” Hallman said. “He makes good decisions, and recognizes when to slow it down, and he sees the floor so well.”

Hallman added about Bollinger, “He’s just more confident this season. He has a year of experience under his belt, he’s a year stronger, and he just played like a man tonight.”

BOARD ADVANTAGE ... Bollinger’s 11 boards helped the Tigers to a 31-23 rebounding edge.

IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ... Other than Bolllinger and Yadush, the Tigers had plenty of stars in the game, as Brandon Mengel put up 10 points and Devin Thomas added nine.

BOMBERS’ BEST ... Palmerton got strong games from Dougherty with 12 points and Justin Hosier with 10.

JVs ... Northwestern won the opener, 61-26

PALMERTON

Yacone 1-0-2-2, Young 0-0-0-0, Baumgardt 0-0-2-0, Dougherty 5-2-2-12, King 0-1-2-1, Kratzer 1-2-2-5, Hosier 4-2-2-10, Buck 0-0-0-0, Silfies 1-1-1-3, Taschler 0-0-0-0, Beahm 0-0-0-0, Quinn 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 13-8-13-35.

NORTHWESTERN

Hebelka 1-2-2-4, Seyfried 2-0-0-4, Yadush 6-2-2-14, Mengel 4-1-2-10, Bollinger 6-1-2-14, McCann 0-0-0-0, Rebert 0-0-0-0, Henry 0-0-0-0, Thomas 3-3-4-9, Holmes 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 22-9-12-55.

Palmerton 11 5 9 10 - 35

Northwestern 20 7 14 14 - 55

Three pointers: P - Kratzer 1; NW - Mengel 1, Bollinger 1.