According to Palmerton boys basketball coach Ken Termini, the last time the Blue Bombers held the Slatington Rotary Holiday Tournament trophy over their heads was in 1997.

The long drought finally came to an end Friday night, when the time ran out on Northern Lehigh in the final, and the Bombers returned to the Rotary ‘throne’ with a 55-41 victory.

Behind 19 points from junior Kody Kratzer, who received the event’s Most Valuable Player award postgame, Termini’s squad moved to 6-2 on the season and will utilize the triumph to attack their remaining goals.

“This was a great team win for us tonight,” Termini said. “I think everyone that played or was on the bench tonight stepped up for us. All the players and staff were all locked in and we wanted to be able to bring this home to Palmerton.”

Following the first night’s action, Palmerton standout and senior leader Justin Hosier found out he would be unable to play in the championship game, forcing others to step up.

Kratzer on offense and in other areas of the game, while others found ways to counteract the lack of Hosier in the lineup.

“Obviously, Kody and (Owen) Buck made the All-Tournament team because of their contributions, but Ryan King was right there as well with the best game of his senior season thus far,” said Termini. “I think Hunter Connell, in his first varsity start, had a great game; (Tyler) Christman always plays tough on defense and really makes opponents’ leading scorer work. I just think this was a great team win for us.”

There was a crucial stretch in the final, following halftime, where Jeff Miller’s Bulldogs were unable to get things going on offense. Outside of a Zach Moyer three-pointer on one of them, Northern Lehigh had a string of turnovers on six of their initial seven possessions of the third frame.

The Bombers took advantage of opportunity and transformed a 22-19 lead at the break into a 30-22 advantage with 4:18 left in the third. In that period, the taller Bombers also held a 10-4 edge in rebounding that added to their momentum-changing swing.

King’s contributions were huge in that stretch, as he drilled a late three from the corner and added a drive to spur Palmerton on. Kratzer and Buck added four points apiece in the third, as well.

However, despite the 39-29 deficit after three, Northern Lehigh remained on track to fight, no matter what hurdles they may face.

Down the stretch, they cut the Bomber lead to eight on two occasions, but the Bombers seemed destined to have their moment in the spotlight, eventually pulling away for the win.

“Turnovers and rebounds...It seemed like they had more offensive rebounds tonight than we had total rebounds,” said Bulldogs’ coach Jeff Miller. “We knew those were going to be two keys to us battling with them, coming into the game.”

Zach Moyer’s team-high 14 points for Northern Lehigh, while Ardit Mujovic added 13.

LET’S PICK TEAMS!

... In addition to Kratzer’s MVP award, the other members of the All Tournament team were Buck from the Bombers, Mujovic and Moyer from Northern Lehigh, Ben Schatz from Lehighton and Adam Lauer from Jim Thorpe.

WHERE ARE THE KEYS?

... With rebounding and turnovers playing a large part in wins and losses, the Bombers’ dominance in both categories proved to hold water. They outrebounded the ‘Dawgs 36-28 (16 offensive rebounds), while committing only 11 turnovers to the Bulldogs’ 21.

STOP THE PRESS!

... In Friday’s paper, the Times News incorrectly identified the player with the game-winning field goal for the Bulldogs in the opening round’s second game. At press time, we said Jaden Marlatt converted the layup to win. However, it was Moyer who gave the Bulldogs the narrow win over Lehighton.

PALMERTON

Connell 1-1-4-3, Kratzer 6-5-6-19, King 5-1-2-12, Frank 1-0-0-2, Mooney 0-0-0-0, Christman 2-2-2-6, Kresge 0-0-0-0, Stuck 1-0-0-2, Buck 4-3-4-11. TOTALS: 20-12-18-55.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

Mujovic 4-3-7-13, Hammond 0-0-0-0, Richards 2-3-6-7, Olewine 2-0-1-5, D. Smith 0-0-0-0, Moyer 4-5-7-14, C. Smith 0-2-2-2, Marlatt 0-0-0-0, Repsher 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 12-13-23-41.

Palmerton 8 14 17 16 - 55

No. Lehigh 5 14 10 14 - 41

Three pointers: P - Kratzer 2, King 1; Mujovic 2, Olewine 1, Moyer 1.