RECAP: 2/2/23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
6A SECTION 1
North Allegheny 56, Butler 29
North Allegheny (13-4, 7-1) jumped all over Butler in the first half, taking a 39-11 lead into halftime and coasted to a 56-29 win over Butler (10-9, 4-4). The win keeps North Allegheny tied at the top of the standings while Butler still sits in third place. Kellie McConnell had 15 points for North Allegheny while Caroline Henderson pitched in 12.
Pine-Richland 45, Seneca Valley 34
After a very competitive first half, Pine-Richland (9-9, 3-5) outscored Seneca Valley (5-14, 1-7) 33-18 in the second half and pulled away for a 45-34 victory. The win and Hempfield’s loss now puts Pine-Richland a game up for the final playoff spot with 2 section games remaining. Madison Zavasky had 18 points for Pine-Richland, Sarah Pifer had 16. Emerson Peffer had 15 points for Seneca Valley. Natalie Hambly helped out with 10 points.
Norwin 48, Hempfield 26
Norwin (17-3, 7-1) took a 30-6 lead into the locker room and never looked back as they defeated Hempfield (8-11, 2-6) 48-26. The win for Norwin helps them keep pace for first place with North Allegheny. The loss now has Hempfield outside of the playoff picture a game back of Pine-Richland for the final spot. Lauren Palangio led Norwin with 13 points. Sarah Podkul led Hempfield with 13.
6A SECTION 2
Upper St. Clair 73, Chartiers Valley 44
Upper St. Clair (16-2, 9-0) used a 23-9 third quarter to expand on a 6-point halftime lead and ultimately beat Chartiers Valley (10-7, 6-4) 73-44. The win clinched at least a share of the Section 2-6A title for Upper St. Clair. Chartiers Valley still sits comfortably in third place for the time being. Paige Dellicarri had 15 points for Upper St. Clair. Kate Robbins had 12 points while Rylee Kalocay added 11.
5A SECTION 1
Indiana 68, Franklin Regional 31
Indiana (14-6, 10-0) took advantage of Franklin Regional (6-13, 4-7) playing the second leg of a back-to-back jumping on them early leading 43-12 at halftime and rolling to a 68-31 victory. The win clinched at least a share of the section title for Indiana. Franklin Regional currently sits a game out of a playoff spot. Eve Fiala led all scorers with 29 points, Katie Kovalchick added 21. Sarah Penrod led Franklin Regional with 10 points.
Penn Hills 46, Plum 32
Penn Hills (8-10, 5-6) played lockdown defense most of the night and held off a late Plum (11-8, 5-5) rally to win 46-32. The win for Penn Hills was huge as they now sit a game up on Kiski Area and Franklin Regional for the final playoff spot in Section 1-5A. Penn Hills can also catch Plum as they are now only a half game back of them for third place. Hannah Pugliese scored 15 points for Penn Hills while Egypt Coleman added 13.
5A SECTION 2
Armstrong 48, Hampton 42
In a game that had section title implications all over it, Armstrong (17-3, 8-3) used a big first quarter to keep an arm’s length from Hampton (13-6, 7-3) for the entire night ultimately winning 48-42. The win now puts Armstrong tied for first place with Mars while Hampton sits a half game back of both of them. Emma Paul had 20 points for Armstrong. Meghan Murray threw in 21 points for Hampton while Kat Milon added 11.
North Hills 59, New Castle 50
North Hills (6-13, 1-9) avenged their early season loss to New Castle (4-15, 1-10) holding serve by winning at home 59-50. Taty Bermudez had 15 points for North Hills while Olivia Waters had 14 points and Jayden Arnett added 10. Rihanna Boice scored 18 points for New Castle, Diamond Richardson had 15.
5A SECTION 3
Latrobe 65, Albert Gallatin 46
Latrobe (13-7, 5-5) used a big first and third quarter en route to a 65-46 win over Albert Gallatin (9-11, 3-8). The win give Latrobe a little more breathing room as they now have a 2.5-game lead over Albert Gallatin for the last playoff spot in Section 3-5A. Elle Snyder led all scorers with 22 points for Latrobe. Josie Staigis had 14 points while Carly Berk and Camille Dominick had 12. Mya Glisan had 16 points for Albert Gallatin while Courtney Turner had 14.
Oakland Catholic 77, Penn-Trafford 47
Oakland Catholic (18-2, 11-0) used a very defensive second quarter and then exploded on offense in the third quarter to put away Penn-Trafford (13-5, 6-4) 77-47. The win clinched at least a share of the section title for Oakland Catholic while Penn-Trafford sits in third place. Halena Hills had 17 points for Oakland Catholic. Alexa Washington posted 16 points and Rachel Haver added 14 points. Olivia Pepple led all scorers with 19 points for Penn-Trafford.
McKeesport 62, Thomas Jefferson 37
McKeesport (17-3, 9-1) jumped all over Thomas Jefferson (8-11, 2-8) taking a 44-13 lead into halftime and finishing out with a 62-37 victory. McKeesport is the lone team that can catch Oakland Catholic in the section and they would have to share the title. Rachel Manfredo led the way for McKeesport with 15 points. Brooke Evans added 10. Laekyn Flinn had 17 points for Thomas Jefferson.
5A SECTION 4
Trinity 66, West Allegheny 37
West Allegheny (5-13, 1-7) was able to cut into Trinity’s (13-5, 7-1) lead heading into the fourth quarter but Trinity used a 21-6 final frame to finish off an impressive 66-37 victory. Trinity stays a game behind South Fayette for first place in Section 4-5A. The loss eliminates West Allegheny from playoff contention. Maddy Roberts led Trinity with 17 points. Eden Williamson added 15 points and Ruby Morgan pitched in 14.
Lincoln Park 50, Moon 49
Moon (7-12, 0-8) led most of the first half but a big second half push by Lincoln Park (16-3, 5-3) brought them back for a 50-49 come from behind victory. Lincoln Park sits in third place and has already clinched a playoff spot. Aizlyn Thompson had 15 points for Lincoln Park while Maddie Syka added 11. Maria Depner led Moon with 14 points. Jaedin Griggs added 13 points.
South Fayette 65, Montour 24
South Fayette (17-2, 8-0) played great defense all night not allowing Montour (6-13, 3-5) into double digits in any quarter as they rolled to a 65-24 win. South Fayette remains a game up on Trinity for first place in the section. Even though Montour lost, the West Allegheny loss clinches a playoff spot for Montour as they hold the tiebreaker. Maddie Webber had 18 points for South Fayette. Lainey Yater added 16 points while Ava Leroux pitched in 11 points.