RECAP: 2/17/23
Photo Credit: @MoonTigersBB
BOYS BASKETBALL
5A BOYS FIRST ROUND
McKeesport 56, Moon 50
The first upset of the postseason in the Big 56 came in the first game as 12th-seeded McKeesport (10-10) went on the road to upset 5th-seeded Moon (12-10) 56-50 to open 5A tournament play.
Things were tight throughout the first quarter with the only separation being an Aemond Knight buzzer-beating bank shot that gave McKeesport a 14-12 lead after a quarter of play. The defense really picked up in the second quarter. There were only two points scored in the first four minutes of the quarter. McKeesport would be able to muster eight points in the final four minutes of the quarter and take a 22-16 lead into the half. Both teams shot under 40% in the first half.
The third quarter started the same as the second quarter as Moon outscored McKeesport 4-0 in the first four minutes of the game to cut McKeesport’s lead to 22-20. McKeesport would respond with an 11-2 run to finish the quarter and take a 39-29 lead into the final frame. McKeesport got the lead up to 12 before Moon made it’s push. Moon got the deficit down to as close as five but that is as close as they could get it as McKeesport escaped with a 56-50 victory.
Travarese Rowe had 20 points for McKeesport. Caiden Holtzman added 10 points, all in the second half. Elijah Guillory led Moon with 27 points. Michael Santicola finished with 16 points before fouling out.
McKeesport will await the winner of Gateway and Woodland Hills who will matchup tonight at 8 pm.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
5A GIRLS PRELIMINARY ROUND
Plum 46, Montour 38
Playing without Dannika Susko due to injury, 16th-seeded Plum was still able to take care of business on their home floor and defeat 17th-seeded Montour 46-38.
Plum got a great start from their leading scorer Megan Marston, who had 16 of her 23 points in the first half. Plum led 13-11 after a quarter of play and 27-21 at the half.
Montour would not go away quietly though as they started the third quarter on a 10-2 run and was able to grab the lead back at 31-29. Riley Stephens hit a 3-pointer for Plum to give the Mustangs the 32-31 lead back and they would keep the lead the remainder of the way. Plum built the lead up to 42-31 in the fourth quarter when Montour made another push getting the lead all the way back down to four with 4:36 to play but that would be the last time they scored as Plum’s defense finished the game strong and gave them the 46-38 win.
Pascale Olczak had 11 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks for Plum. Raegan Kadlecik had 16 points for Montour. Plum played great defense on Montour leading scorer Jordyn Wolfe as she was held to eight points.
Montour will head to South Fayette on Tuesday to take on the top-seeded Lions in the first round at 8 pm.