Yedsena and Zawada leads Mahanoy Area past Marian Catholic to remain undefeated

TAMAQUA — Jace Yedsena and Tanner Zawada combined for 43 points as the Golden Bears improved to 11-0, Friday night taking down Marian Catholic 67-53. Yedsena finished with 23 points and six rebounds, while Tanner Zawada finished with 20 points, four steals and six rebounds. “They are four year starters and we know what we’re going to get out of them night in and night out,” said Mahanoy Area head coach Teddy Styka.

“They are tough kids and make everyone else around them better.” The Golden Bears got out to a 14-6 start in the first frame. Zawada scored seven of his 20 points in the quarter.



“To get out early and keep the lead it felt good,” said Zawada. Marian got back into the game, finishing the quarter on a 7-2 run to trail 18-13. Mahanoy Area came out in the second quarter hot.

The Golden Bears started the quarter on a 8-2 run forcing a Marian timeout. The Golden Bears controlled the quarter, getting the lead to as high as 15 points. Yedsena had it going in the quarter as he scored 11 of his 23 points in the quarter.

“When they went into that zone, I was driving, scoring, kicking and hitting everyone,” said Yedsena. Mahanoy Area outscored the Colts 22-10 in the second quarter to take a 38-23 lead at the break, as Yedsena hit a turnaround jumper to close out the half. Mahanoy Area Tanner Zawada (5) and Peyton Sendatch (1) force the turn over as they trap Marian Justin DeLa Cruz (4) in the first half of the game of Friday Jan.

3, 2025 in Tamaqua.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mahanoy Area Ryan Zilker (25) goes up for the shat as Marian Rocco Griguoli (45) and Justin DeLa Cruz (4) defend in the first half of the game of Friday Jan. 3, 2025 in Tamaqua.

(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mahanoy Area Jace Yedsena (3) Peyton Sendatch (1) and MarianBryan Ferreira (10) work for the rebound in the first half of the game of Friday Jan. 3, 2025 in Tamaqua.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mahanoy Area Jace Yedsena (3)and Marian Bryan Ferreira (10) dive for the loose ball in the first half of the game of Friday Jan.

3, 2025 in Tamaqua.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Marian Bryan Ferreira (10) puts up a shot as Mahanoy Area Jace Yedsena (3) defends in the first half of the game of Friday Jan. 3, 2025 in Tamaqua.

(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) Mahanoy Area Tanner Zawada (5) and Peyton Sendatch (1) force the turn over as they trap Marian Justin DeLa Cruz (4) in the first half of the game of Friday Jan. 3, 2025 in Tamaqua.(John Haeger / Staff Photographer) “There were a couple possessions where we locked down and played defense,” said Styka.

“That kind of helped separate us.” The Golden Bears started right where they left off in the third quarter, as they got out to a 49-28 lead. “We were hitting shots and getting out in transition,” said Zawada.

“They were hitting tough shots to get back in it but we just kept our poise.” Marian Cut the lead to 14 at the end of three, thanks to two triples by Jacob De La Cruz. The teams went back and forth in the final frame.

Marian cut the lead to 12 with three minutes to go, but the Golden Bears were too much, ultimately closing the game out to secure the 67-53 win. “We just come out and do what we do and stuff like this happens,” said Yedsena. “It was a huge game and a big win,” said Zawada.

“It was nice to get in and get out.” De La Cruz led Marian with 13 points and Gregory Tirpak added 11 points in the loss. Marian will look to bounce back as they travel to Williams Valley Monday night.

Mahanoy Area will look to improve to 12-0 as they host Pottsville Monday night. “We have to refocus and get ready for Pottsville on Monday,” said Styka. “It’s going to be a great game.

They are well coached.” Mahanoy Area (67) — Sendatch 5 0-1 10, Mayberry 2 3-3 9, Yedsena 10 1-1 23, Zawada 6 7-8 20, Rhoades 0 0-0 0, Bowman 0 0-0 0, Oblas 0 1-2 1, Zilker 2 0-0 4, Gallagher 0 0-0 0. Marian Catholic (53) — Nunez 1 0-0 3, Ju.

De La Cruz 2 4-5 9, Ja. De La Cruz 4 3-6 13, Ferreira 1 0-0 3, Rodino 1 2-2 4, Tom 2 1-1 5, Knock 1 0-0 3, Tirpak 3 2-3 11, Griguoli 1 0-0 2. MAH (11-0) — 16 22 15 14 — 67 M(5-5) — 13 10 16 14 — 53.