Chartiers Valley wins WPIAL Class 5A girls’ title
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Chartiers Valley players are all smiles after winning the WPIAL Class 5A title for girls’ basketball. The Lady Colts defeated Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, in the championship game.
Alexandra Ferrella (23) battles for a rebound during Chartiers Valley's win against Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, in the WPIAL Class 5A girls' championship game.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Aislin Malcolm rises to the basket during WPIAL championship action. In the 64-48 win against Thomas Jefferson, the Chartiers Valley freshman pumped in 18 points.
Mackenzie Wagner gets a congratulatory hug from Megan McConnell after Chartiers Valley defeated Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, to win the WPIAL Class 5A girls' basketball championship. The Loyola recruit pumped in 10 points.
Chartiers Valley players hoist the WPIAL title, spoils from their 64-48 victory over Thomas Jefferson in the championship game.
Megan McConnell drives hard to the hoop during WPIAL Class 5A girls' basketball championship action.
Chartiers Valley players pose for pictures after winning the WPIAL Class 5A championship for girls' basketball. The Lady Colts defeated Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, for the title.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Megan and Tim McConnell saw eye to eye regarding how cool winning a WPIAL title was for a daughter and father. Coaching his children, which included T.J. and Matty, was one of the joys McConnell experienced while Chartiers Valley floor boss.
Behind the 18-point performances by junior Megan McConnell and freshman Aislin Malcolm, Chartiers Valley defeated Thomas Jefferson, 64-48, at the Petersen Events Center and captured the WPIAL Class 5A girls’ basketball championship.
It was the Lady Colts second title in the last three seasons but the seventh for their coach. Tim McConnell, Megan’s father, led the boys to six championships before taking the position as the girls’ floor boss.
Also in double digits for the Colts were Gabi Legister (14) and Mackenzie Wagner (10). The two are bound for Kennesaw State and Loyola respectively.
Yale recruit Jenna Clark led TJ with 19 tallies. Alyssa DeAngelo followed with 17 markers.
In beating the Jaguars for the third time this year-the teams competed in the same section during the regular season-the Colts connected on 18 of 34 shots from the field for a 53 percent conversion rate.
The Colts used a 15-0 run in the second stanza to create separation from the Jaguars. Three-point field goals from Malcolm triggered the uprising, which afforded CV a 27-10 edge, and culminated the run. Though TJ responded with two quick hoops, McConnell buried a 3-pointer to insure the Colts a 30-15 halftime lead.
After intermission, CV outscored the Jaguars, 20-9, in the third quarter. Though TJ outscored the Colts in the final frame, 24-14, the damage was done and CV had its championship trophy.
With the win, the Lady Colts remained perfect on the year. CV was 25-0 heading into the PIAA tournament. Additionally, the Colts became the 17th team to go unbeaten while winning a District 7 title.
“To be undefeated and to win a WPIAL championship is special,” said McConnell. “When a team can go 25-0 and not lose one game, it shows the character of these girls. They came ready to play night in and night out.”
Meanwhile, it was not the night for the Jaguars to make their own history. The No. 7 seed in the tournament was trying to earn its first title. The only other time TJ appeared in the WPIAL final was 1980. The Jaguars had a dramatic run to the championships upending No. 2 Oakland Catholic, in the semifinals and No. 3 seed Gateway in the quarterfinals.
Both teams qualified for the PIAA tournament.
The Colts drew General McLane in the opener on March 9 at Peters Township while TJ (19-6) battled Trinity (12-12) at Mt. Lebanon.