FREELAND - Weatherly’s berth in the district playoffs was an opportunity to gain some valuable experience.

While the sixth-seeded Wreckers dropped a 63-45 decision to MMI Prep Friday night in a District 11/2 sub-regional quarterfinal game, the contest gave Luke Medico’s club a taste of postseason basketball.

“The kids could not have put forth a better effort,” Weatherly head coach Medico said. “It was a different outing from last time. The effort was amazing and we played with heart. There was no quit in them and I was extremely proud.

“We got out-played. There was some holes in the defense, but I would guess there was anywhere from eight to 10 unforced turnovers. We cut down those things ... we’re still a very young team. I have no beef with their effort at all. It was a great effort.”

The last time the two teams faced each other was just over two weeks ago when MMI Prep (14-9) rolled to a 26-point victory. The Wreckers kept Friday night’s game much closer, and trailed by 10 after the first quarter. Although the outcome wasn’t favorable for Weatherly, the Wreckers still gained some playoff exposure.

“For them, I think it’s amazing to get the taste,” Medico said. “I had it back in the day when we went to Martz Hall and it was just an amazing time. I think them seeing how much the town supports them and how many people came out (was good for them).

“It (the loss) is going to sting right now, but ultimately it’s going to lead to great things because they’ll know what to expect.”

Ian McKeegan led the Wreckers with 18 points and was up against MMI Prep’s Brendon Brobst for most of the night. Brobst finished with 20 points for the Preppers, while teammate Ryan Sones scored a game-high 23 points.

“We played well in spurts,” MMI Prep mentor Joe Flanagan said. “These guys were kind of in the same situation last year. We had a play-in game to win a game to get into the next one, and I think their leadership showed a little bit.

“We’ve been playing good down the stretch, and hopefully we can keep that going.”

Niko Saldukas was the other double-digit scorer for the Wreckers with 14 points.

WRAPPING UP THE SEASON ... Weatherly finished the 2023-24 season 2-21 in Medico’s first year as head coach. Weatherly’s two wins on the season came within 10 days of each other, first on Dec. 28 against Columbia/Montour Vo-Tech and then on Jan. 8 at home against Shenandoah Valley.

NEXT UP... MMI Prep faces No. 2 seed Bethlehem Christian in the next round of the 1A sub-regional tournament. Bethlehem Christian participated in the Slatington Rotary basketball tournament in December and finished in third-place.

WEATHERLY

Kokinda 0-0-0-0, Ortiz 1-0-0-2, Stauffer 3-0-0-6, Donish 1-0-0-2, McKeegan 8-2-3-18 Saldukas 4-6-8-14, Wagner 1-0-0-3, T. Hinkle 0-0-0-0, S. Williams 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 18-8-11-45.

MMI PREP

Lispi 1-0-0-3, Pantages 3-3-4-9, Floyshak 2-2-4-8, Sones 7-9-11-23, Brobst 7-4-6-20, Rodriguez 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 20-18-25-63.

Weatherly 8 12 12 13 - 45

MMI Prep 18 17 12 16 - 63

Three-pointers: Weatherly - Wagner 1; MMI Prep - Brobst 2, Floyshak 2, Lispi 1.