GREENCASTLE — Greencastle-Antrim nearly let a big lead disappear in the fourth quarter Thursday night, but hung on for dear life and advanced in a District 3 Class 5A consolation game at home.

Bryce Davidson

The Blue Devils held a 44-23 lead midway through the third quarter after back-to-back baskets by Cooper Green and Dez Holman.

But the Barons, led by Chase Book and his 33 points, got on a roll that came close to catching G-A.

No. 7 seed Greencastle (19-6) will play Tuesday at 7 p.m. at home against No. 11 Exeter Township (15-9). There are still four teams alive playing to be District 3’s 9th-place team and qualify for the PIAA State Tournament. G-A will need to win two more games to gain that qualification.

Greencastle led 50-36 after 3 quarters, but Book scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. He tallied a rebound bucket, then Zack Hunt and Mason Olinger hit shots to pull Manheim Central (10-14) to within 56-53 with 1:24 remaining.

The Blue Devils did not help their cause with several turnovers and several quick missed shots. But Green scored on a layup, and after a Barons turnover, Holman sliced through the defense for a score that gave G-A a 60-53 lead.

But Hunt hit a basket and Book drilled a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left to make it 60-58. The Barons fouled twice in a row, but by the time Ryan Schick was put on the line, there was only 2.1 seconds left. Then Schick sank both free throws to seal the victory.

The Blue Devils spread the wealth on offense — Schick posted 15 points, Holman had 14, Alex Albright scored 11, Green had 8 and Davidson added 7.

Exeter Twp. eliminated Elco, 73-59 in another consolation game Thursday.

Greencastle 62, Manheim Central 58
MANHEIM CENTRAL
Maddix Whitman 3 0-0 8, Chase Book 12 3-3 33, Jayvior Morales 0 1-2 1, Zach Hunt 5 0-1 10, Mason Olinger 2 0-0 4, Colin Connely 1 0-0 2. Totals 23 4-6 58.
GREENCASTLE
Dez Holman 5 4-4 14, Alex Albright 4 1-2 11, Landen Swain 1 1-2 4, Bryce Davidson 3 0-0 7, Camden Eby 1 0-0 3, Ryan Schick 4 6-7 15, Brady Kagarise 0 0-0 0, Cooper Green 4 0-0 8. Totals 22 12-15 62
Manheim Central     13       7     16     22     —     58
Greencastle               22     15     13     12     —     62
3-point shots — MC 8 (Book 6, Whitman 2); GA 6 (Albright 2, Swain, Davidson, Eby, Schick).