Defending Colonial League champs look to repeat

The Colonial League basketball semifinals are over and both of last year’s championship teams are still alive to defend their titles.

The top-seeded Bangor boys team looks for its third straight league title when it takes on No. 2 Southern Lehigh in Friday’s title game, scheduled for 8 p.m. at Easton Middle School. Southern Lehigh seeks its second straight girls crown. The top-seeded Lady Spartans will meet No. 2 Notre Dame (Green Pond) in Friday’s opener at 6 p.m.

BOYS SEMIFINALS

In Wednesday’s boys semifinal games, Southern Lehigh knocked off No. 3 seed Salisbury 68-53.

The Falcons fell behind early and could not catch the Spartans in their third meeting this season. The teams split their two regular season games.

Southern Lehigh’s Lucas Hudsaon scored a game-high 17 points while going 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Sean Welsh (12 points) made all four of his four-quarter free throws to make the Spartans 10-for-10 in the final frame. Kevin Patel (11 points) and Mike Miller (10 points) also contributed to a balanced Southern Lehigh offense.

The Falcons were led by Sean Snyder with 16 points.

In the second boys semifinal Wednesday at Catasauqua High School, the Slaters beat No. 4 Notre Dame (Green Pond) 43-42.

GIRLS SEMIFINALS

After an undefeated regular season, Southern Lehigh came out of its first round bye and opened the postseason with a dominant win over No. 5 seed Northwestern.

The Spartans jumped out to a 31-13 lead in the first half and went on to a 54-38 victory.

Avery Bennett scored 18 points to lead a balance Southern Lehigh offense that saw five players with six or more points. Amand Mobley (11 points) and Olivia Snyder (10 points) also reached double figures.

The Tigers’ Leighanna Lister led all scorers with 18 points Tuesday at Catasauqua High School.

In Tuesday night’s opening game, No. 2 seed Notre Dame beat No. 3 Bangor 32-27.