There was a lot of hype surrounding the District 11 Class 4A title game. Parkland, the number 3 ranked team in the state, had won 24 straight games and was widely considered the team to beat in the district. Their opponent, Bangor, was coming in with a 25-1 record and was having one of the best seasons a Slaters team has had in a long time.

In front of a sellout crowd at Sewards Gymnasium at Allen High School last Saturday night, the Trojans (25-3) continued their winning ways and thumped Bangor 68-49 for their fourth straight district title.

“Winning four in a row is really hard to do,” said junior forward Sam Iorio. “Being able to do it with the guys that we have had is really great. We’re a tight knit group, and we’re all really close. It’s going to go down in the history books and we’ll always be remembered as a great team.”

Iorio tallied a game-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including three 3-pointers. He led a balanced offensive attack that saw three other Trojans players score in double figures. Seniors Kenny Yeboah (14 points), Devante Cross (11) and Kyle Stout (10) all eclipsed double-digits in points. Fellow starter Jack Dreisbach had five assists and five rebounds to go along with a second quarter field goal.

“That’s the thing about our team,” said Iorio. “Anyone can contribute on any given night. And for all of us to get on a roll and get hot makes it an even better win.”

Head coach Andy Stephens was satisfied with his team’s play on both sides of the ball.

“I thought our kids were locked in and played really hard,” Stephens said. “It was a gritty team effort and that’s what we needed to beat them because Bangor is definitely a good team.”

Bangor fought close at the beginning. The Slaters actually led 5-3 early in the first quarter, but Iorio converted the three-point play to put the Trojans up for good.

Parkland then went on a 14-0 run capped by a Will Baar three-pointer and doubled up Bangor at halftime, leading 28-14. The lead rose to as much as 21 in the third quarter, and 22 in the fourth quarter before Stephens was able to relieve his starters to a standing ovation.

After beating Emmaus for the fourth time in the semifinals on Wednesday, the Trojans looked forward to playing a different opponent they had not faced this season.

“We watched some film on them and knew what to expect,” Iorio said. “We knew they were quick and can shoot the ball. But it was nice to play a different team than what we had been the last couple games.”

Next up is the PIAA state tournament. Parkland will play District One’s 8 seed Conestoga on Saturday evening at Freedom High School.

“It’s do or die now,” said Dreisbach. “We’ve played some great competition to get ready for the state tournament. I think we’re ready.”