HALIFAX – Onward and upward!

The East Juniata boys basketball team will battle for the Tri-Valley League Championship Thursday after defeating Halifax Tuesday, 63-50.

Jake Brackbill led the Tigers offensive attack posting a team-high 17 points.

Caden Geedey followed with 15 en route to the victory.

Halifax was led in double-digit scoring by Ward Gainer who posted a game-high 21 points in a losing effort.

Judah Myers rounded out the double digit scoring leaders, posting 11.

East Juniata got off to a strong start in the first, outscoring Halifax 18-13.

Owen Dressler led things for the Tigers scoring in the period, posting five. Dressler just missed scoring in double digits, finishing with a solid nine points.

The momentum continued in East Juniata’s favor in the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats by four, 13-9.

Going into the intermission, the Tigers enjoyed a 31-22 advantage. The lead would put East Juniata only two quarters away from the title game.

Coming out of the intermission, the Tigers’ offense continued to roll right along as they added to its lead, posting a strong 12-5 effort, upping its advantage to 43-27.

There was no stopping the East Juniata offense in the final stanza as it left no doubt of who would come out with the win, saving the best for last with a 20-point performance.

Halifax didn’t go out without a fight as they posted 23. But it was too little too late.

The Tigers will face the winner of the Greenwood/Saint Joseph’s Academy winner for all the marbles and the chance to be called TVL champion.