YORK — James Buchanan played Red Lion very tough for the first two games, but the Lions were able to score late to win both of them.

That led to a 3-0 victory over the Rockets in a semifinal match of the South Central Athletic Conference on Tuesday evening at Central York.

The first set was tied 22-22, but the Lions (21-2), ranked No. 4 in District 3 Class 6A, scored the next 3 points to win 25-22. In Game 2, Red Lion held a 23-22 lead and then closed it out with 2 straight points. The third game was a 25-11 decision.

“We knew coming in that Red Lion was going to make us play our best and for the first two sets, we were right there,” JB coach Erica Piper said.

For James Buchanan (16-3), Kendyl Stoner produced 13 kills and 11 digs. Shelby Crider contributed 6 kills, 5 service points and 3 aces.

Also for JB, Lexi Martin knocked down 7 kills, had 3 blocks and 2 aces; Brynleigh McCracken compiled 16 assists and 8 digs; Aubrey Trei had 5 points and 11 digs; and Aamiyah McCullough had 8 assists and 6 digs.

Piper said, “I think they wore us down a little. We have some things to work on and we’ll be ready for districts.”

The Rockets will play in the District 3 Class 3A playoffs starting Monday, Nov. 2, meeting rival Bermudian Springs in a semifinal match. The Eagles (14-3) are 2-1 vs. JB this season, but the Rockets beat them in the SCAC quarterfinals on Monday.