Jersey Shore gave seven-time state champion Allentown Central Catholic all it could handle Saturday on its home court, dropping a 52-49 heartbreaker in the Class AAAA state tournament’s first round. Jersey Shore (17-10) held a five-point lead late in the first half and then rallied from seven down late to close within 50-49 in the final minute.

The Bulldogs had two shots at taking the lead but were unable to convert and, following two Vikettes free throws, were not able to put up a shot with less than a second remaining. Peyton Dincher scored 19 points in the final game of a decorated career, finishing with 2,026 career points.

She and fellow seniors Sophia Stover (8 points), Cailyn Schall and Hannah Heaton helped Jersey Shore win three straight HAC-I championships and reach three straight state tournaments.

Junior Avery DePasqua had a strong game, scoring 10 points as Jersey Shore pushed the District 11 champions hard from start to finish.

Girls Basketball

Class AAAA State Tournament

Allentown Central Catholic 52, Jersey Shore 49

JERSEY SHORE (49)

Peyton Dincher 5 7-8 19, Sophia Stover 3 0-0 8, Avery DePasqua 4 1-3 10, Cailyn Schall 2 0-0 5, Hannah Heaton 1 0-0 2, Kylie Schall 2 0-0 5, Jess Millbrand 0 0-0 0, Gracelyn Frantz 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 8-11 49.

ACC (52)

Shaniya Roberts 1 0-0 3, Annika Spinosa 6 0-0 17, Morgan Seagreaves 3 4-6 10, Skylar Taylor 1 0-0 2, Milly Wolf 8 3-3 20. Totals 19 7-9 52.

Jersey Shore 10 13 13 13–49

ACC 11 12 15 14–52

3-pointers: Jersey Shore 6 (Dincher 2, Stover 2, DePasqua, K. Schall); ACC 7 (Spinosa 5, Roberts, Wolf).

Records: Central Catholic 16-10. Jersey Shore 17-10.