CATASAUQUA - Talk about a fast start.

Just over a minute into the game, Notre Dame of Green Pond led Panther Valley 9-0 on three consecutive three-point baskets - two by Cameron Bohn and one by Colin Boyle.

The Panthers were never able to recover as Notre Dame rolled to a 72-41 victory in the semifinals of the District 11 Class 3A playoffs in Wednesday at Catasauqua High School.

“We got beat by a very good team that played very well.” said Panther Valley coach Pat Crampsie.

The Crusaders’ scorching start continued into a 19-5 lead on a three-ball by Andrew Lessing with 2:00 minutes remaining in the first period, Panther Valley was never able to crack into the double-digit deficit after that.

Two free throws by Stephen Hood and two three pointers by Chase Weaver were all the points the Black and Gold could muster in the opening period against the sharp shooting Crusaders whoi led, 23-8 at quarter’s end.

Notre Dame (21-2) kept its feet on the gas pedal outscoring PV by 23-10 for a 46-18 advantage at the intermission.

After relying on long range bombs that found the bottom of the net in the opening quarter, Notre Damr used a powerful inside game to near perfection in the second period.

Danny Darno scored on a layup off a pass from Dainn Vassallo. Isaiah Miles scored on a driving layup off of a steal. After Bohn hit on another three, Darno scored again on a layup and Caleb Hobbie’s putback lengthened the Crusaders’ margin to 28 at the break.

Panther Valley’s second period points came on triples by Drew Kokinda and Hood and free throws from Kokinda, Connor Penberth, and Logan Fisher.

‘Obviously nothing much went our way,” said Crampsie. “We didn’t match their physical play. We also gave up too many points to them off the transition.

“They are very athletic and have really good size. We didn’t get bodies on them box out which never allowed us to climb back in the game. It was disappointing, but how many other teams would have loved to be playing in a district semifinal game? We earned our way here.”

The second half was more of the same. as Notre Dame controlled the score and both the offensive and defensive backboards, not allowing second chance PV shots while scoring layups off missed shots of their own. The Crusaders continued to penetrate the paint. Seven of their third period baskets were of the layup, putback, and short banker variety.

With the mercy rule in effect, both teams freely substituted once the game entered the fourth period.

Crampsie said the Panthers will have to quickly turn the page and focus on Saturday’s consolation game against Saucon Valley and the state tournament berth that is on the line.

“We can qualify for the state tournament with a win and it’s another opportunity for our seniors to keep the season going,” Crampsie said, stressing a short memory will be vital.

Bohn topped the Crusaders with 15. Colin Boyle added 14. Hood paced the Panthers with 13 points, followed by Kokinda who had 12.

DOWNTOWN DREW ... Panther Valley’s Kokinda added to his school record number of three-point baskets with three more, raising his total to 49 for the season.

BETTER THAN AVERAGE … Despite the lopsided loss, both Hood and Kokinda managed to score more than their season’s points per game. Hood’s 13 topped his 10.11 ppg and Kokinda’s 12 points were nearly four above his 8.22 ppg.

PANTHER VALLEY

Hood 4-2-2-13, Kokinda 4-1-2-12, Weaver 3-0-0-8, Penberth 1-2-2-4, Goida 1-0-0-2, Fisher 0-1-2-1, Maynard 0-1-2-1, Jones 0-0-0-0, Buyce 0-0-0-0, Black 0-0-0-0. TOTALS:13-7-10-41.

NOTRE DAME

Bohn 6-0-0-15, Boyle 5-2-2-14, Hobbie 5-0-0-10, Darno 4-2-2-10, Miles 3-0-0-7, Vassallo 3-0-0-6, Lessig 2-0-0-5, Miklos 1-0-0-3, Diaz 1-0-0-2, Damwebber 0-0-0-0, Smith 0-0-0-0, Bodnar 0-0-0-0, Manning 0-0-0-0, Driscoll 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 30-4-4-72.

Panther Valley 8 10 12 11 41

Notre Dame 23 23 17 9 72

Three-pointers: Panther Valley – Kokinda 3, Hood 3, Weaver 2. Notre Dame – Bohn 3, Boyle 2, Miles 1, Lessig 1, Miklos 1.