WPIAL playoffs roundup for Feb. 20: McKeesport boys earn opening-round win

By:
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 | 10:42 PM


McKeesport will get to play in WPIAL boys basketball quarterfinals Friday, but they had to pass a test before finalizing their spot in the Class 5A Elite 8.

Deamonte Diggs had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Tigers to a 61-42 win over No. 13 Armstrong in a first-round game at Gateway.

The WPIAL playoff pairings initially had the fourth-seeded Tigers with a bye in the first round before it was discovered Armstrong was accidentally left off the bracket. The River Hawks (8-15) were then paired with McKeesport in an opening-round game.

Tobias Green added 11 points and 15 rebounds for McKeesport (15-8).

Moon 59, Albert Gallatin 44 — Austin Ryan had 16 points and Connor Ryan added 15 to lift No. 6 Moon (18-5) to a Class 5A first-round win at Baldwin. Brady Sunday added 10 points for the Tigers, who will play No. 3 Franklin Regional (18-4) in the quarterfinals Friday..

Joey English had 11 points for No. 11 Albert Gallatin (12-11).

Trinity 61, Greensburg Salem 52 — At Peters Township, the Hillers outscored the Golden Lions, 15-5, in the final two minutes to pull out a WPIAL Class 5A first-round victory. Joey Koroly scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to pace Trinity (19-4). Dylan Kern had 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Marvel McGowan had a game-high 29 points for Greensburg Salem (12-11).

West Allegheny 63, Laurel Highlands 54 — At Peters Township, the No. 7 Indians outscored the Mustangs in every quarter and eased to a WPIAL Class 5A first-round win.

Isaiah Crowe scored 20 points and Jackson Faulk had 16 for West Allegheny (11-11), which will play No. 2 Highlands in the quarterfinals Friday. Bryce Laskey led Laurel Highlands with 32 points, 16 in the fourth quarter. Ilisa Salauca had 10 for the Mustangs (14-9).

Chartiers-Houston 50, Neshannock 47 — Cameron Hanley had 18 points and Andrew Clark added 15 for No. 5 Chartiers-Houston (18-5) in a Class 2A first-round win at West Allegheny. The Bucs will play No. 4 Serra Catholic (18-4) in the quarterfinals.

Niko Rylott had 19 points for No. 12 Neshannock (8-15).

Leechburg 62, Fort Cherry 50 — The No. 8 Blue Devils (14-6) won their first playoff game since 2011 with an opening-round Class 2A victory at North Hills. Christian Hack scored 20 points for Leechburg and freshman Dylan Cook came off the bench to add 14.

The No. 9 Rangers (9-14) were led by senior Nate Higham's 21 points.

Leechburg will play No. 1 Sewickley Academy (18-4) in the quarterfinals.

Shenango 64, Frazier 48 — Josh Young had 18 points and Colin McQuiston added 17 as No. 6 Shenango (15-8) won a Class 2A first-round game at West Allegheny.

Brandon Bennett added 13 points for Shenango, which will play No. 3 Jeannette (18-3) in the quarterfinals Friday.

Brandon Lovis had 13 points to lead No. 11 Frazier (9-13).

Springdale 34, California 33 — Michael Zolnierczyk sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to give the No. 10 Dynamos (13-8) the victory in a Class 2A first-round game at Gateway. Zolnierczyk led all scorers with 18 points. Cochise Ryan had a team-best 16 points for the No. 7 Trojans, who played without leading scorer Ben Wilson for undisclosed reasons. Dru Miller added 10 points for California.

Girls basketball

Mt. Lebanon 31, Penn Hills 30 — Mt. Lebanon's Alyssa Hyland hit two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to give No. 5 Mt. Lebanon (12-11) a Class 6A first-round win at Baldwin. Hyland finished with 15 points for the Blue Devils.

Tayonna Robertston had 12 points for No. 12 Penn Hills (13-9). The Indians nearly won the game but their basket came just after the final buzzer.

Upper St. Clair 38, Butler 32 — Anna Groniger had 16 points to guide No. 9 Upper St. Clair (13-9) to a Class 6A first-round win at North Hills. The Panthers will play No. 1 North Allegheny (22-0) on Friday at a time and site to be determined.

Alyssa Eyth had 15 points for No. 8 Butler (13-10).

Tags:

More High School Basketball

Westmoreland high school notebook: Puck drops for area’s PIHL teams
Penn Hills notebook: Basketball grad to play professionally in Ireland
New coach Gabby Baldasare excited to fill big shoes with North Allegheny girls basketball
Dana Petruska comes out of retirement to take over as girls basketball coach at Deer Lakes
Imani Christian basketball player among 3 transfers ruled ineligible by WPIAL