Chartiers Valley boys ready to make deep run in playoffs
Brandon Sensor delivered some bad news for Chartiers Valley’s opponents in the WPIAL Class 5A boys’ basketball tournament.
As the Colts (16-5) prepared to play Albert Gallatin (5-14) in their first-round playoff game set for 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at Peters Township, Sensor said that he didn’t think his team has played it’s best basketball yet.
Since he took the helm as head coach this winter, Sensor has strived for both improvement and consistency. They have managed the former and are still searching for the latter.
“Our motto to start the season was to get a little better each and every day. The guys embraced that and I think we have accomplished that. We have improved throughout the season,” Sensor said.
He emphasized how the Colts have gotten better playing as a team. They share the ball on offense and play well on defense.
Brayden Reynolds is the playmaker, dishing up 5.5 assists per game while averaging 11 points.
Joe Pipilo ranks No. 1 on the team in both scoring (15 ppg) and rebounding (8 rpg). The senior also manages two steals per game.
Jared Goldstrom also manages double-digit scoring, maintaining a 15-point average.
The Colts have owned six- and seven-game winning streaks during the regular season but finished 1-3 after upsetting Moon in double overtime, 69-66. The Tigers won the Section 2 title with a 13-1 record and are seeded third in the WPIAL tournament with a 21-1 overall mark.
Mars (14-0, 21-1) is seeded No. 1 while Penn Hills (12-0, 19-3) and Woodland Hills (9-3, 17-5) are positioned at No. 2 and 4. Montour (10-4, 14-8) is another team to watch as the Spartans finished third in Section 2 and beat the Colts in both their encounters. One of the losses, 59-54, came on the heels of the Moon triumph.
Sensor dismissed the loss being one due to an emotional letdown. He said that Montour is a “very good team” and “hats off” to the Spartans for beating the Colts both times.
“We learned a lot about ourselves and got better from the loss,” Sensor said.
The Colts rebounded with a 50-44 win against West Allegheny to close out section action. They tuned up for the playoffs by taking on Mt. Lebanon (9-1, 19-3), which is seeded third in the Class 6A tournament.
“We are looking for consistency,” said Sensor, “but we realize it’s a process and you’re going to face adversity. We learn from our wins but we learn even more from our losses. That’s something that has been consistent all year. We’ll keep improving and put the best version of ourselves on the court in the playoffs.”
Though Mars is the defending champion and Penn Hills won the 6A title in 2018, the Class 5A playoffs are wide open and feature some talented players in Keandre Bowles from Woodland Hills (29.3 ppg), Donovan Johnson from Moon (23 ppg), Deamontae Diggs from McKeesport (20.1 pps) and Jackson Faulk from West Allegheny (20.8 ppg). The Tigers also have three experienced guards in twins Connor and Austin Ryan and Jioni Smith.
“Every team that made the 5A playoffs is a team to beat,” Sensor said. “There are a lot of tough teams and a lot of them have a shot (at the WPIAL title). We’re certainly going to give it our best shot.”
Along with the effort, the Colts plan on having a positive experience throughout their playoff run.
“The postseason is a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to just that. Having fun,” Sensor said. “These guys have worked all season and some of them four years for these games we’re about to play. We’re going to take it one game at a time and play every game like it’s our last. It’s important to work hard and prepare hard, but it’s also important to enjoy the ride and appreciate the team and family that you are on it with.”
Mt. Lebanon (19-3) and Upper (19-3) earned the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the WPIAL Class 6A boys’ basketball tournament behind No. 1 Pine-Richland (20-2) and Latrobe (18-2).
Both teams received first-round byes and will not play until Feb. 23 at sites and times to be determined.
Lebo’s opponent will be the winner between Fox Chapel (15-7) and Seneca Valley (11-10) while USC will face the winner between Butler (17-4) and Connellsville (8-14). Those first-round games are set for Feb. 19.
Also in Class 5 A, Peters Township (15-7) battles Penn-Trafford (14-8) at Mt. Lebanon while Canon-McMillan (14-8) will play North Allegheny (13-8) at West Allegheny. Both games are set for 8 p.m. Feb. 19.
All Class 6A semifinal games are scheduled for Feb. 27 with the championships set for 9 p.m. March 2.
In Class 5A, Chartiers Valley (16-5) challenges Albert Gallatin (5-14) at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at Peters Township. The winner will play the winner of the Woodland Hills vs. West Allegheny contest in the quarterfinals.
All Class 5A semifinals are set for Feb. 26 with the championships to be played March 1 at 9 p.m.
In Class AAA, Seton LaSalle (17-4) plays Southmoreland (12-9) at 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at Gateway while Keystone Oaks (12-10) takes on Washington (13-8) at 2:30 p.m. at Peters Township.
The Class AAA finals will be played at 9 p.m. Feb. 28.
All WPIAL championship games will be played at the Petersen Events Center.