WPIAL champs continue winning ways in state playoffs
Megan McConnell drives to the basket after stealing the ball from a Hickory player during PIAA playoff action. McConnell fired in 15 points, including a pair off this layup, as Chartiers Valley won its first-round game, 48-27. The Colts now will play Trinity at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Peters Township.
Bethel Park guard Maria Cerro attempts to drive past a Penn Hills defender during PIAA girls’ basketball action. The Hawks dropped a 43-29 decision to the Indians and ended their season at 19-8 overall.
There was no WPIAL letdown for three area champions as Chartiers Valley, Chartiers-Houston and Bishop Canevin advanced in the PIAA girls’ basketball tournament. In first-round state playoff action, the Colts handled Hickory, 48-27, the Bucs crushed Cranberry, 56-18, and the Crusaders dispatched Central Cambria, 51-30.
The three district champions will now compete in the quarterfinals March 16. The Colts (20-7) will be embroiled in a rematch with Trinity, which they defeated in the WPIAL semifinals, at 7:30 p.m. at Peters Township. Canevin (20-5) faces East Allegheny (24-1) in the prelim game at 6 p.m. C-H (24-2) will challenge Bellwood Antis (23-4) at 6 p.m. at Hempfield.
What worked for the girls during the regular season continues to carry the teams in the post-season.
“Defense,” said C-H skipper Laura Montecalvo. “We always focus a lot on defense and we are reaping the benefits of that now. We do have a good transition game and we know that if we play good defense then we’re going to get opportunities in transition, which is where we excel.”
That showed against Cranberry. The Bucs breezed to a 30-13 lead at halftime and used a 22-0 run two minutes into the third stanza to extend that margin.
Jala Walker led the Bucs with 23 points, 11 coming during the scoring spree. Alexa Williamson finished with 21 tallies and 14 rebounds. Keaira Walker, who had seven points, led in the rebounding department with 13.
Meanwhile, the Colts limited Hickory to seven points in the first half and cruised to victory.
Megan McConnell led the onslaught, burying three, 3-pointer field goals and finishing with 15 points. Mackenzie Wagner pitched in eight despite missing much of the second quarter. Abbey Collins and Gabby Legister both finished with seven tallies.
In the Canevin win, Brionna Allen and Sarah Green both finished in double digits with 16 and 12 markers.
3 others advance
Three other area teams advanced in the state playoffs and will play games on March 16 at sites and times to be determined. Posting wins in the first round were: the Mt. Lebanon and South Fayette girls as well as the Bishop Canevin boys.
Lebo (19-6) beat State College, 62-44. Kate Sramac (21), Alyssa Hyland (13) and Kenzie Bushee (10) scored in double figures for the Blue Devils, who used a 10-3 run in the third quarter to streak to victory. The Blue Devils now face WPIAL champion North Allegheny (25-1). The Tigers have won 15 in a row, including a district semifinal triumph against the Blue Devils.
The Lions edged Obama Academy, 51-49. Against the Pittsburgh City League champions, Maura Castelluci and Sam Kosmacki tossed in 16 and 15 tallies. SF (18-6) was scheduled to play Hampton (23-3) next.
Canevin defeated Brockway, 74-38. For the Crusaders, whose next opponent is Wilmington, Mitchell King exploded for 27 points. Walter Bonds followed with 17 markers.
Teams eliminated
With losses in the first round of the state playoffs, the Bethel Park and Keystone Oaks girls as well as the boys’ squads from Canon-McMillan, Seton-La Salle, Chartiers Valley and Chartiers-Houston ended their seasons.
In a rematch of the WPIAL 6-A semifinal game, Penn Hills gained its revenge on the Lady Hawks. The Indians coasted to victory, 43-29, against the Hawks, who they held scoreless in the first frame and led, 21-8, by intermission.
Desiree Oliver led the Indians (22-3) with 25 points, nine rebounds, six steals and eight assists.
For BP, which finished the season at 19-8 overall, Kamryn Lach pumped in 11 points, nine off 3-point field goals in the second half.
Justina Mascaro followed with eight markers in her final scholastic contest. Having recovered from ACL surgery, she had fueled BP’s late-season comeback and helped the Hawks earn a trip to the WPIAL finals.
The KO girls lost to Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, 53-38. The Trojanettes have won 11 in a row, including the WPIAL title game. For the Golden Eagles (20-4), Gillian Piccolino pumped in 18 points.
Though they fell behind, 15-8, the Big Macs pulled ahead, 25-4, at halftime but could not hold on as Butler scored a 51-46 victory. R.J. Bell’s 17 markers paced CM, which finished the year at 18-7.
SLS dropped a 47-41 decision to Greenville. George Mike led Rebels with 13 tallies.
CV (17-8) ended its season against Meadville, 55-45. Caleb Zajicek (16), Joe Pipilo (14) and Coleman Vaughn (10) scored in double figures for the Colts.
Finally, Char-Houston lost to Wilmington, 69-38. A.J. Myers finished with 13 points.