POTTSVILLE – The basketball Gods were not looking down favorably on Marian Wednesday evening.

The Colts’ quest to play for a Schuylkill League championship came to a screeching halt at the Mecca - better known as Martz Hall - where basketball junkies get their annual fill of postseason excitement before the Spring Equinox sounds.

Blue Mountain played the role of spoiler for Marian’s hopes of having teams in both the girls and boys title games on Friday.

The Eagles’ defense was dynamic, they ran their sets to perfection on nearly every possession, got hordes of offensive production up-and-down the lineup, and were dominant on the boards.

Blue Mountain’s stellar performance added up to a 64-46 semifinal round victory, sending it into the championship game against North Schuylkill. The Spartans rallied in the second half to beat Pottsville in the opener of last night’s doubleheader.

Blue Mountain’s Carson Kerstetter dropped in a game-high 17 points to lead the way offensively, while 6-5 Isaac Thomas did his typical yeoman’s work on the boards with 14 rebounds. Brogan Campbell also played a big role in the victory with a 15-point night.

While all those performances were important for the Eagles, it was little-known Matt Caufield who provided the big news, as the senior swingman swung into the offensive limelight early and often.

Caufield - who entered the night averaging a little over a point per game - lit up the Mecca with 15 points, including four triples.

“Matt was awesome,” said Blue Mountain coach Dustin Werdt. “He does a lot of things that people don’t recognize. I couldn’t be happier for that kid that everyone will be talking about him.”

Division 3 champion Marian had its game cooking early as it went head-to-head with the Division 1 runner-up, using a late surge in the first quarter to erase any momentum Blue Mountain was hoping to exhort.

Jesse Rodino, Joey Walko and Julius Currie all drove hard and often for the Colts. A triple from Currie, and Walko’s kiss off the glass on a drive to the basket, tied the score at 11-11 after one quarter.

And at that point - one of Marian’s top players - Frank Valente, who would lead the way with 13 points, had yet to score. But little did anyone realize the Eagles were about to corral the Colts with a stingy defense.

Marian committed seven turnovers in the second quarter, and struggled from the floor, making just one field goal in the period.

Meanwhile, the Eagles were just starting to cook up the winning brew. Tyler Miller, Caufield and Kerstetter had a hand in an 11-0 run to open the quarter.

Rodino put the skids to the run, briefly, but Blue Mountain answered with another spurt to lead 33-16 at the half.

Marian regrouped in the second half and played Blue Mountain to a near draw, but the damage had been done.

“The second quarter ultimately decided the game,” said Marian coach Scott Murphy. “They’re big, they’re physical, they’re athletic and they’re very well coached. You put all those things together, and it makes for a good man-to-man defense. Credit to Blue Mountain.”

SURPRISE, SURPRISE ...Caulfield was definitely the unknown factor. He cranked up his game early when Marian was looking to clamp down on Kerstetter, Thomas and Campbell. The Colts were paying little attention to the senior, and he made them pay.

DA GLASS, DA GLASS … Marian just never matched up inside, and had a difficult time trying to control Thomas. The junior can be extremely impressive when he gets heated up.

UP NEXT … Marian waits to see who it plays late next week in the opening round of the District 11 Class 2A tournament.

MARIAN

Ramirez 1-0-0-2, Vizcaino 0-0-0-0, Miller 0-0-0-0, Chambers 1-2-4-5, Thomas 0-0-0-0, Je. Rodino 5-2-3-12, Bobish 0-0-0-0, Ferrera 0-0-0-0, Walko 2-0-0-4, Currie 4-0-0-10, Valente 4-3-5-13, Hopeck 0-0-0-0, Ja. Rodino 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 17-7-12-46.

BLUE MOUNTAIN

McGhee 0-0-0-0, Walasavage 1-0-0-2, Campbell 4-7-12-15, Brayford 0-0-0-0, Kerstetter 7-3-4-17, A. Grace 0-0-0-0, Miller 3-0-0-7, R. Grace 1-0-0-2, Caulfield 5-1-2-15, Thomas 2-1-2-6. TOTALS: 23-12-20-64.

Marian 11 4 14 16 - 46

Blue Mountain 11 22 15 16 - 64

Three-pointers: Marian - Currie 2, Valente 2, Chambers 1; Blue Mountain - Caulfield 4, Miller 1, Thomas 1.