Minersville secured its first-ever Schuylkill League Championship title with a thrilling 47-44 overtime victory against Pottsville on February 13, 2026. The game, held at Pottsville’s Martz Hall, witnessed the Battlin’ Miners rallying from a seven-point halftime deficit to clinch the championship.
The Battlin’ Miners, finishing the season with a record of 23-1 and 13-1 in the league, displayed resilience and determination. After trailing 24-17 at halftime, they surged back in the second half, outscoring Pottsville 30-20. Key contributions came from players like Shazier Bethea and Chase Zimerofsky, who delivered crucial shots in the final minutes to seal the win.
“We didn’t want to talk about last year; this is a new team and a new year,” said Minersville head coach Chris George. “All these kids, Minersville, the town, and the program are all a part of this. It’s something special to build up to these historic moments for these guys.”
Minersville’s journey to this championship was marked by a 20-game winning streak following their only loss of the season to Pottsville on December 11, 2025. The Battlin’ Miners were determined to overcome last year’s championship defeat, where they lost to Pottsville 50-43.
“We didn’t like losing the championship last year, so we knew we could come back and get it this year,” Bethea stated. “We really played good team defense in the second half.”
The second half proved pivotal for Minersville. With a combination of strategic three-pointers from Camden Rogers and Zimerofsky, they managed to close the gap and eventually tie the game at 38-38, forcing overtime.
In the overtime period, Minersville took charge. Zimerofsky’s steal set up a layup by Jordan Bowers, giving the team a critical 45-40 lead. Bethea and Rogers led the Miners’ scoring with 14 points each, while Bowers contributed significantly on the boards with 13 rebounds.
Pottsville’s performance was commendable, with senior Christian Alvarez leading their scoring efforts with 21 points, while Davey Kunstek added 14 points and eight rebounds. However, they struggled to maintain their momentum in the second half and overtime.
The first half of the game saw Pottsville establish an early lead with Alvarez and Kunstek scoring key layups. By the end of the first quarter, Pottsville was ahead 9-5. They continued to build their lead in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 24-17 advantage.
As the game progressed into the second half, Minersville began to find its rhythm. The Battlin’ Miners’ defense tightened, limiting Pottsville’s scoring opportunities. Coach George emphasized the importance of teamwork and defensive cohesiveness during this crucial phase.
“All we needed was to hit a couple of shots, and it opens some stuff up,” George remarked. “This is an awesome team, and we put a lot of time in the last few weeks prepping for Pottsville.”
With the championship secured, both teams now look forward to their upcoming matchups in the District 11 playoffs, which will be announced on Sunday. For Minersville, this victory signifies not only a historic achievement but also a testament to their hard work and commitment throughout the season.
