In almost every game of the 2014-15 season, the Parkland boys basketball team was clearly the better of the two teams. Even in a last-second loss to Saint Joe's Prep, their only loss on the year, the Trojans could have seen themselves on the winning end.

But last Wednesday night at Souderton High School, Parkland (28-2) ran into a buzz saw that was Pennsbury High School (24-6).

The Falcons were the better team on the court in every aspect. They were bigger, stronger, faster, and more aggressive on the evening, and took down the District 11 champ 57-41.

It was the third year in a row that the Trojans were District 11 Class AAAA champions that saw their year end in the second round to a District 1 team.

The previous two losses, to Great Valley (64-61) in 2013 and to Bayard Rustin (60-57) last year, were winnable games. This year's second-round matchup seemed to get away from Parkland early in the second half.

Parkland led 3-2, then didn't really come close to taking back the lead thanks to a stout Pennsbury defense.

The Trojans could never seem to get into any offensive rhythm. The 41 points were the team's second-lowest this season behind the 40 points against Whitehall's stall-ball. It was also well below their season average of 64 points per game.

Parkland shot just 14-for-44 from the field. Sophomore forward and leading scorer Sam Iorio was shutout and hit just two free-throws. The Falcons were one of the few teams that the Trojans have seen this year that can match their height and athleticism.

"It wasn't our night," head coach Andy Stephens said. "I don't want to say we lost to a better team, but we lost to a really good team. For whatever reason shots weren't falling, and their defense really made us play a different style from what we're used to. Especially in the first half, we had a lot of open looks that just wouldn't go down."

Parkland finished the first half just 6-for-22 in field goals and trailed by double digits at 26-15.

It was a better second half for the Trojans as they fought back to get to within 46-38, but the halftime hole proved to be too much to overcome. Pennsbury also hit 9-of-12 free throws to seal the deal down the stretch.

"We clawed and clawed in the second half but they made better plays at significant times," noted Stephens. "They were driving to the rim and then we went to a zone. They were kicking the ball out to their fourth and fifth options and they were making shots.

"We just didn't have enough tonight."

Parkland ended the 2014-15 season with 28 wins and a conference and district championship. With the starting lineup all expected back, next year could be even more special for this group.

"We're going to miss Kevin [Delourie] and Justin [Jones] and we saluted them, but I wanted the other guys to take this feeling in," said Stephens.

"Do we want to be in this same situation next year, or do we want to move on and maybe play for a state championship and win it? We'll have some good players back next year, but it's always tough because one bad game can knock you out."