Chartiers Valley “Flohrs” North Allegheny in WPIAL final
Chartiers Valley players mob Matty McConnell after he was instrumental in helping them claim a WPIAL title. In a the Quad-A championship win over North Allegheny, 78-67, McConnell fired in 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished up five assists.
Eddie Flohr soars to the hoop during WPIAL Quad-A boys’ basketball championship game against North Allegheny. Flohr exploded for 24 points, 20 in the second half, as Chartiers Valley came back to beat the Tigers.
Joe Antonucci drives to the basket during WPIAL Quad-A boys’ championship action. The junior scored 14 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as Chartiers Valley defeated North Allegheny, 78-67.
Chartiers Valley rebounded from a 14-point first-quarter deficit and 10-point halftime disadvantage to defeat North Allegheny, 78-67, in the WPIAL Quad-A boys’ basketball championship game played Feb. 28 at the Petersen Events Center.
The triumph proved remarkable on several levels.
For starters, the Colts uncharacteristically surrendered 27 points in the first frame and three opponents registered double figures: Cole Constantino (27), Will Sandherr (18) and Mike Fischer (10). With less than five minutes to play in the second stanza, they trailed, 34-20, after Constantino buried one of the Tigers’ 11 3-point field goals. NA drained eight-long range shots in the first half as they mounted a 43-33 lead.
“We did not guard well in the first half,” said CV head coach Tim McConnell. “They were hitting some deep shots. So, we had to make them take tougher shots.
McConnell also admitted to throwing a “tirade” at halftime. Eddie Flohr bore the burnt of his coach’s rant.
“I probably got on him the most because I know how good Eddie Flohr is. He’s been special to this program for three years. The job he did in the first half was not the job he did all year.
“I told him he’s going to need to respond. We are going to have to play better defense. We are going to have to drive better. And, I actually told Eddie that I love him.” McConnell quickly added, “in a certain way.”
Flohr answered to that. “My play on the court was like saying I love you too,” he deadpanned.
Flohr picked up the defense and he also helped support Matty McConnell on offense. McConnell had been the whole show in the first half, scoring 21 of the Colts’ 33 points. In the second half, Flohr registered 20 of his 24 points and dished up five assists. His 13 points triggered CV’s third quarter recovery. The Colts outscored the Tigers, 24-6, in the frame and took the lead for good on two free throws by Flohr at the 2:47 mark.
Of McConnell’s motivational speech Flohr said, “It sparks you. You just want to go out there and help your team with the victory. My teammates played great. They helped out.”
Flohr cited Joe Antonucci. The 6-2 junior forward fired in 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
“Joe was tremendous on the boards,” Flohr said. “I believe he had big points, too. He played great.
“Matty picked us up big time in the first half,” Flohr continued. “He kept us in the game so that we were only down 10. We picked up our defensive intensity and won the game.”
While he played on an even keel, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals, Matty McConnell provided an emotional lift when he nailed a half-court shot to end the third quarter. The basket widened CV’s lead to 57-49. The shot proved memorable on a personal level, too, as McConnell reached the 2,000-point plateau for his scholastic career. His brother, T.J., also surpassed the milestone for his playing career at CV.
Of the buzzer-beater, McConnell said, “That was one of the greatest shots I made in my high school career.” Of joining the 2,000-point club with his brother, he added, “It means a lot to have that honor with him. It’s really special.”
Special too is the fact that both McConnell brothers won WPIAL championships in their senior seasons. Plus, they did so while playing for their father.
“To have two children win WPIAL championships what more could you ask for as a father and a coach?” said Tim McConnell. “It’s special to have your first child score 2,000 points and win a WPIAL title and then for Matty to get in the club and win a WPIAL, it’s a dream come true. You couldn’t write a better script.”
Oh, but the screenplay does improve, because Coach McConnell himself entered an exclusive group when he collected his sixth WPIAL championship. He is the fifth coach in the district to accomplish the feat. Plus, in only 22 seasons, he already has accumulated more than 500 career victories.
McConnell and his Colts embark on their quest for their first state title on March 7 when they play Mt. Lebanon at 2:30 p.m. at Canon-McMillan in the first round of the PIAA tournament.