If each half was just a bit shorter, Serra Catholic boys basketball coach Bob Rozanski might sleep better tonight.

Under the circumstances, however, Rozanski can't stop thinking about the possibility of playing No. 1-seeded Sewickley Academy for the WPIAL Class A championship without two important starters. One way or another, the game tips off at 7 p.m. Friday at Palumbo Center.

Serra defeated Neshannock, 88-74, on Tuesday night in a semifinal at Northgate High School. It was defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Serra's 21st victory in 23 games, but it was anything but routine.

First the good news: Senior guard T.J. Heatherington set a WPIAL playoff record with 50 points. But it was an achievement that got a boost when T.J.'s brother Rob was thrown out of the game for fighting in the final 11 seconds of the first half. Rob, after all, scored 14 before his ejection.

Then, in the final 30 seconds of the game, senior forward Eric Jurofcik injured his knee. Rozanski said he didn't know if Jurofcik, who was due to get an MRI last night, could play Friday.

Rob Heatherington is definitely out, due to the ejection which carries an automatic one-game suspension.

Rozanski said Heatherington and Neshannock's Tony Kirkwood, the player guarding him, became entangled and fell to the floor.

"The referee claims punches were thrown by each kid (as they got to their feet)," said Rozanski, who added that Kirkwood also will be suspended for Neshannock's first PIAA playoff game next week. "This is the first time in 31 years we have had something like this happen."

WPIAL fans never have seen anything like T.J.'s performance. He hit 18 field goals, and made 13 of 18 free-throw attempts.

Rozanski was concerned about losing Rob, so he unnecessarily told T.J. to pick up the scoring pace.

"We didn't have to tell him. He knew he had to do more."

T.J. scored 36 in the second half, playing most of it with three fouls. "We even sat him for a couple of minutes," Rozanski said.

"We were on edge. He plays at that breakneck speed and we were concerned with him picking up (a charging foul)."

Amazingly, T.J., who never fouled out, hit only one 3-pointer. Serra plays basketball the old-fashioned way.

"Our kids go to the hoop," Rozanski said. "We have a good inside game. Some schools get caught up in the 3-pointers to the point that it can be detrimental. I like getting that good shot in close and tight. A lot of good things can happen when you do that."

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