Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon win first-round playoff games
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Zac D’Alesandro drives to the basket during WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball playoff action against Hempfield.
Despite heavy defensive pressure, Mt. Lebanon's Christian Mallon rises up for a shot during the Blue Devils' 75-51 playoff win over Hempfield.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon’s Christian Powers races down the court on a fast break during WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball playoff action.
The Upper St. Clair (6-7) and Mt. Lebanon (15-8) boys basketball teams easily handled first-round playoff assignments en route to a showdown between the rivals in the WPIAL Class 6A tournament.
The Panthers cruised to an 85-59 victory against Penn-Trafford. USC opened up a 30-7 first-quarter edge before settling into a 48-30 halftime advantage.
“The fast start was the key,” said USC head coach Dan Holzer. “We were crisp, fast and confident.
“We were so ready to play. We were excited to get this opportunity, especially the seniors.”
USC’s Porter Rauch scored a career-high 27 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.
“Porter was tremendous. Focused,” said Holzer. “He knew we needed him to have a big game for us to be successful and he did it. He produced.”
Panthers seniors Tanner O’Grady, who scored 17 points, and Mike Pellicci, who added 14, were joined in double figures by sophomore Devin Hall, who pitched in 15 points.
A fast start and balanced scoring also spearheaded Lebo’s assault on Hempfield.
In a 75-51 triumph, Christian Powers scored 21 points for the Blue Devils, while Christian Mallon scored 16 and Zac D’Alesandro added 15.
The Blue Devils jumped ahead, 20-15, and used a 25-point third quarter to break the game open.
“Our defensive pressure was key. It kept them on their heels on offense,” said Lebo coach Joe David. “We didn’t have a real good second quarter but the third really opened things up for us.
“We are happy to get the first one under our belts but the game had a weird top of feel to it, like we won a normal game,” he added.
The clash with USC would be anything but normal as the rivals will meet for the third time this season. The teams split close contests and finished tied for the section with 7-3 records.
All quarterfinal winners gained a spot in the semifinals set for March 1 at sites and times to be determined. The teams also earned a berth in the PIAA tournament.
The WPIAL Class 6A championship game is set for 7 p.m. March 5 at the Petersen Events Center. The PIAA finals will be played at 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
BP eliminated
Bethel Park succumbed to Pine-Richland, 64-41, in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
Dolan Waldo scored a team-high 15 points for the Black Hawks and Ben Guffey scored 12. BP finished 16-7 overall.
CV, SF ousted
In the Class 5A tournament, Chartiers Valley and South Fayette were eliminated.
The Colts dropped a 72-57 decision to Penn Hills and finished the season at 8-15 overall.
The Lions succumbed to Shaler in overtime, 68-64, and finished the year at 14-9 overall.
Jayden Davis exploded for 32 points while Drew Sleva contributed 10 in the CV loss.
Brandon Jakiela was tops for the Lions, pumping in 22 points. Logan Yater followed with 17 points and Nate Deanes added 11.
Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon met in the WPIAL Class 6A boys’ basketball quarterfinals on Feb. 25. The result of the game was too late for publication.