Short-Handed USC Advances to State Semifinals

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With only six players available and led by a volunteer coach due to COVID-19, the Upper St. Clair boys basketball team showed the grittiest effort of the season, coming away with a 62-57 win against District 10 champion, Erie High School, in the Class 6A PIAA Quarterfinals.

The Panthers (21-1) held a 26-24 lead at halftime, but came out and opened the third quarter on a 14-5 run to push the lead to double digits.

Erie kept on pushing back but USC, who finished the game with five players, made their free throws and were able to maintain the lead and the win.

Senior David Pantelis finished with a game-high 23 points. Classmates Luke Gensler and Ethan Dahlem put in 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Upper St. Clair will face District 3 champion, Reading, on Tuesday in the state semifinals at a site and time to be determined.