Latrobe Boys Use Size to Claw Past Franklin Regional in Must-Win Game

In a high-stakes showdown with everything on the line, the Latrobe Wildcats kept their postseason dreams alive Friday night.

They leveraged a significant size advantage to overpower the visiting Franklin Regional Panthers in a critical Section 1-5A contest.

The final score of 58-43 tells a tale of two halves.

Latrobe looked like a team playing with pure desperation, especially after halftime.

The Wildcats unleashed a stunning 29-12 run in the second half, completely shutting down the Panthers' offense.

Rob Young, Latrobe's formidable 6-foot-7 center, was a dominant force in the paint.

He finished the game with an impressive 17 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, continuing his season-long success against the Panthers.

Guard Ian DeCerb, who added 12 points, described the team's mindset as "do or die."

That urgency was palpable in their aggressive, physical defense.

Franklin Regional was held to just four field goals after the break, a testament to the Wildcats' suffocating ball pressure.

The victory was a must-win for Latrobe as they fight for a coveted spot in the WPIAL playoffs.

For Franklin Regional, it was a tough road loss that highlighted an uncharacteristic offensive drought against a determined rival.