Big Spring and Bishop McDevitt Set to Face Off in District 3 4A Semifinal

The two teams will meet for the third time this season with a spot in the championship game on the line.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Big Spring and Bishop McDevitt will square off in the District 3 Class 4A semifinal on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the championship game. The Bulldogs are making their third consecutive state tournament appearance, while the Crusaders are seeking their first title game berth since 2020.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in the Mid-Penn Capital Division, with Big Spring and Bishop McDevitt having split their two regular season meetings. The winner will take on either top-seeded Berks Catholic or No. 4 seed Middletown in the district final.

The details

Big Spring raced to a 50-40 win at home over Oley Valley in Friday's quarterfinals, while the Crusaders earned a 73-65 victory at home against Trinity. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Ethan Hammer, who averaged 20 points per game in the two regular season contests against Bishop McDevitt. Freshman Joven Strine has also emerged as a key contributor for Big Spring, scoring 19 points in the quarterfinal win and 23 against McDevitt in January.

  • Big Spring defeated Bishop McDevitt 50-48 at home on Dec. 22.
  • Bishop McDevitt defeated Big Spring 63-52 at home on Jan. 27.

The players

Ethan Hammer

Senior guard for Bishop McDevitt who averaged 20 points per game against Big Spring this season.

Joven Strine

Freshman who has emerged as a key contributor for Big Spring, scoring 19 points in the quarterfinal win and 23 against McDevitt in January.

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What they’re saying

“They're excited as can be, and I want to make sure they stay excited because it is still an awesome feat. This is the third time we'll go to states in school history, 50 years. It's three times in a row, but it's a new team each year. I'm really excited for them.”

— Jason Creek, Big Spring head coach (The Sentinel)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This matchup between Big Spring and Bishop McDevitt features two of the top teams in the Mid-Penn Capital Division, with the winner advancing to the District 3 Class 4A championship game. Both teams have had success against each other during the regular season, setting up an intriguing semifinal showdown.