By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

TYLERTOWN — Just when they needed him most, St. Stanislaus junior center Max Baria stepped up for his Rock-A-Chaw teammates Thursday night.

Baria poured in a game-high 27 points, a career-high for the post product, including 13 in the decisive fourth frame as SSC rallied to pull out an exciting 58-51 win over West Marion in the semifinal round of the Region 8-3A Tournament.

The decision runs the Rocks into Friday night’s title tilt at 8:30 vs. arch-rival St. Patrick here at Tylertown High School, the site of the annual affair.

St. Stanislaus trailed slightly at 41-40 entering the final period and the Trojans maintained that small lead mid-way through the quarter. but Baria helped SSC out-score West Marion 18-10 down the stretch to pull out the victory.

Bara showed his touch not only around the rim but at the free throw line as well, as he went 9-of-11 from the charity stripe in the fourth frame to help seal the win.

Baria also scored six point in the third stanza, giving him 19 of his 27 point night in the second half.

Rock-A-Chaw guard Allan Gilliam made a perfect partner for Baria in an effective inside-outside combination, as he chipped in 13 points to the winning effort.

St. Stanislaus had already clinched a berth in the upcoming Class 3A South State playoffs before the latest win, but the win over St. Marion secured a home game in the opening round of the playoffs next Tuesday in the friendly confines of Brother Peter Gymnasium.

Kenyata Peters tallied 20 points for West Marion and Terry Johnson had 11 points.