Chartiers Valley edges way into PIAA semifinals
Chartiers Valley did not play its best basketball but the Lady Colts were good enough to eke out a victory, 39-35, in a PIAA Class 5A girls quarterfinal playoff game on March 16 at Altoona.
“I didn’t think we played one of our better games,” said CV coach Tim McConnell. “I’m glad we found a way to come up with the victory.”
When offense failed, the Colts relied on defense. While they have allowed opponents 41.2 points per game while racking up a 27-2 record, the Colts became more stingy against the Warriors.
After a deadlocked first quarter, 17-17, CV limited Gettysburg to five second-quarter points and edged ahead, 23-22, at intermission. CV’s lead expanded to 36-34 before holding the Warriors to one free throw in the final frame.
In addition to defense, McConnell was pleased with his team’s calmness throughout the contest.
“Keeping our composure and not panicking while not scoring a lot of points was key for us and helped us get the victory,” he said.
Perri Page and Hallie Cowan led CV’s offensive attack. Page fired in 12 points while Cowan finished with 10 tallies.
Page dominated in CV’s previous win against Hollidaysburg, 70-47. In the second round state tournament game played March 12 at Norwin, the Columbia recruit poured in 20 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.
Cowan buried five, 3-point field goals. The Seton Hill recruit finished with 18 points.
Aislin Malcolm joined Page and Cowan in double digits. The Pitt recruit contributed 17 points.
With the game tied, 40-40, at the 5:16 mark in the third quarter, the Colts embarked on a 30-7 run to seal the victory. Hollidaysburg, which finished the year at 24-2, led 19-18 after one quarter but CV forged ahead, 38-34, by halftime.
With the victories, the Colts advanced to the semifinals to face McKeesport, a 58-52 winner over Moon.
A win against the Tigers (23-5) would put Char Valley in the PIAA Class 5A finals for the third time in four years. The Colts won a state title in 2019.
The PIAA Class 5A championship game is set for 5 p.m. March 25 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
Lions oustedSouth Fayette succumbed to Moon, 46-45, in a second-round PIAA tournament game played March 12 at the AHN Arena on the Peters Township High School campus in McMurray.
Mia Webber and Erica Hall finished in double digits with 13 and 10 tallies.
The Tigers trailed the Lions, 13-6, after one frame and 20-17 at halftime.
“We did not play our best basketball,” said SF head coach Bryan Bennett. “Moon played harder than us and they deserved to win the game.”
Despite the defeat, the Lions finished the year at 23-5 overall. They were the WPIAL champions, knocking off Chartiers Valley in the Class 5A final.
“I am extremely proud of this group of kids and what they accomplished this year,” Bennett said. “They showed up everyday with a positive attitude and worked to get better. Their hard work in the end paid off.”