Bauman brothers lead surging Knoch boys basketball to WPIAL section win over Deer Lakes
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Knoch’s Liam Avon (24) takes a 3-point shot in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Vincent DeFelice (30) shoots over Deer Lakes Collin Rodgers (3) in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The student section goes wild as Knoch surges ahead of Deer Lake in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Jackson Bauman (3) tries to drive through Deer Lakes defensive players JT McCue (2) and Luca Mangieri (4) in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Derek Lang (2) celebrates as Knoch clinches a win against Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch defeated Deer Lake 48-45 in a boys basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Knoch High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch’s lead was fading away. But it never disappeared completely.
The Knights’ clutch foul shooting wouldn’t let it.
Jackson Bauman sank four free throws in the last 49 seconds, and younger brother Brody Bauman sank one, enabling Knoch to hold off Deer Lakes 48-45 Friday night to take the WPIAL Section 1-4A boys basketball lead in front of a packed home gym.
“The team trusts the ball in my hands, and I’m comfortable in those situations,” Bauman said. “I’m not gonna let them down.”
Knoch (14-5, 9-1) won for the sixth time in seven games, but it didn’t come easily. The Knights led Deer Lakes (16-4, 9-2) by 12 points (39-27) with 6:15 to play. The Lancers went on an 11-0 run at that point to pull within a point with 3:26 remaining.
But Knoch never gave up the lead.
“That’s a sign of growth,” Knoch coach Alan Bauman said. “In four of our five losses this year, we had the lead in the fourth quarter but never closed it out. Tonight, we did that.”
Consecutive layups by Vinnie DeFelice and Liam Avon extended the Knights’ lead to 43-38, but a Nate Moore layup pulled the Lancers within three. Jackson Bauman then hit two free throws with 49 seconds left.
A JT McCue layup again pulled Deer Lakes within three. This time, Brody Bauman sank 1 of 2 free throws with 19 seconds to go. Jackson Bauman grabbed a deflected ball for a steal, sank two free throws with 9.2 seconds on the clock and the issue was finally decided.
“Brody is a sophomore, and for him to hit a big free throw in a clutch moment like that was big for him,” Coach Bauman said.
Jackson Bauman led the Knights with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Teegan Finucan added 14 points, including four treys in the second half. He needs nine points for 1,000 in his career.
Finucan managed only two points in the first half before sinking three treys in the third period. Knoch went on an 18-2 run in the middle part of the game, turning an eight-point deficit into an eight-point lead it never lost.
“I know my teammates have my back when I’m struggling,” Finucan said. “I found a spot and found my shot (in the third period).”
“When Teegan locks in like that, he’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the WPIAL,” Coach Bauman said.
Moore paced Deer Lakes with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Luca Mangieri contributed 10 points, point guard Collin Rodgers eight points and six assists.
“This was a defensive grind for four quarters, and we expected that because that’s how both teams play,” Deer Lakes coach Albie Fletcher said. “We figured this game would be in the 40s.
“They started hitting some long 3s and built a lead on us. I thought our defense was pretty good throughout. My hat’s off to Knoch. They hit the shots.”
Deer Lakes had won nine of 10 games entering Friday’s contest.
“They have a great team ... good point guard, good big man, good coaching,” Jackson Bauman said. “We knew they were gonna make a run at us. We made the plays at the end to win.”
The Knights head to North Catholic on Tuesday in a game that will likely decide the section title. The Trojans’ lone section loss was at Knoch earlier in the season.
DEER LAKES 45
JT McCue 3-10 0-2 6, Collin Rodgers 3-15 0-0 8, Luca Mangiori 4-6 1-2 10, Brayden McCoy 0-1 0-0 0, Evan Moore 0-7 7-9 7, Nate Moore 5-7 2-4 14. Totals: 15-40 10-18 45.
KNOCH 48
Jack McCool 0-0 0-0 0, Derek Lang 2-4 0-0 4, Jackson Baumn 5-9 8-8 18, Brody BaumN 0-3 2-4 2, Roman DeFelice 0-3 0-0 0, Teegan Finucan 5-11 0-0 14, Liam Avon 2-3 0-0 4, Vinnie DeFelice 2-3 1-2 6, Zane Pacek 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 16-37 11-16 48.
Deer Lakes 13 4 8 20 - 45
Knoch 7 13 14 14 - 48
3-point goals: Deer Lakes 5 (Rodgers 2, Moored 2, Mangieri), Knoch 5 (Finucan 4, V.DeFelice)
JV: Knoch, 37-31 (K: Evan Fink 11, DL: Aaron Fletcher 8)
Tuesday: Knoch at North Catholic
