Basketball

High school roundup for March 8, 2021: 11th-seeded Ellwood City pulls off Class 3A upset

March 8, 2021

Joseph Roth scored 30 points, Alexander Roth added 21, and Ellwood City, the Cinderella of the WPIAL boys basketball playoffs, upset No. 3 Shady Side Academy, 81-73, in overtime Monday night.

South Allegheny’s Omar Faulkner dunks against Seton LaSalle in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals Monday, March 8, 2021.

South Allegheny clamps down on Seton LaSalle in Class 3A quarterfinals

When South Allegheny entered the halftime locker room leading by 13 in Monday’s WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal matchup, there was a mutual sense of disappointment felt by the group.

Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock scores on a layup against South Park on Monday, March 8, 2021, in a WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal game at Belle Vernon

Devin Whitlock walks the walk, leads Belle Vernon past South Park

If a team is game-planning to face the Belle Vernon boys basketball team, one of the first things a coach should do is give his team a commandment: “Thou shalt not chirp or trash talk Devin Whitlock.”

Latrobe’s Emma Blair with a put back between Hampton’s Kayla Hoehler (l) and Addie Klocko during the girls WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal round playoff game on Friday, March 8, 2021 at Hampton High School.

Latrobe handles pressure, tops Hampton to move into Class 5A semifinals

Emma Blair hadn’t done much offensively for Latrobe up until the fourth quarter Monday night.

Southmoreland’s Olivia Cernuto plays against Mt. Pleasant on Jan. 14, 2021, at Mt. Pleasant High School.

Southmoreland leans on big-game experience as it readies for Quaker Valley

The WPIAL girls basketball semifinals can be daunting for newcomers.

Ellwood City coach Steve Antuono celebrates with his players after Thursday’s win over Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Team of the Week for week ending March 7, 2021

When the WPIAL playoff brackets were released in boys Class 3A, an Ellwood City team that finished strong with four straight wins and was tied for second in the deep Section 1-3A was the No. 11 seed.

Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Team of the Week for week ending March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021

After the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL girls basketball playoffs ends Monday, there will be two double-digit seeds left who are looking to be the Cinderella of the 2021 postseason.

Woodland Hills’ Peyton Pinkney scores over Latrobe’s Anna Rafferty last month. Latrobe and Woodland Hills reached the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals, to be played Monday.

TribLive High School Sports Network broadcasts: Week of March 8, 2021

The Madness is winding down with plenty of gold at the end of the rainbow as HSSN prepares for champions to be crowned in the district and state this week here on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Baldwin’s Joey Starzynski competes against Canon-McMillan on Feb. 23, 2021, at Baldwin.

Senior comfortable in starring role for Baldwin boys basketball

Joey Starzynski has been on center stage in the Baldwin basketball program for the past two years.

Franklin Regional’s Sophia Reitz and Sophia Yaniga fight for a rebound with Gateway’s Dynasty Shegog Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 at Gateway High School.

Up-and-down season provides ‘learning experiences’ for Gateway girls

The Gateway girls basketball team hoped for good things from their WPIAL Class 5A preliminary-round game March 1 at Mars.

Mt. Lebanon’s Ashleigh Connor shoots a free throw against Bethel Park in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals Saturday, Macrh 6, 2021.

Mt. Lebanon edges Bethel Park in Class 6A battle

March 6, 2021

Senior Morgan Palmer drained a key 3-pointer in overtime then connected on a free throw with 4.5 seconds remaining to give Mt. Lebanon a thrilling 59-58 overtime win over Bethel Park in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.

Hampton junior guard Matt DeMatteo is also the school’s starting quarterback.

Hampton boys look to grow from tough season

A season that began with a delay ended with a dud for the Hampton boys basketball team.

Fox Chapel junior Jake DeMotte holds his form after shooting a 3-pointer against Norwin on Feb. 9.

Junior Jake DeMotte arrives for Fox Chapel, plays key role in playoff victory

Throughout this season, the Fox Chapel boys basketball team has gotten contributions from several players.

Plum’s Ta’Rasi Means pressures West Allegheny’s Nodin Tracy during their WPIAL Class 5A playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at Plum High School.

Plum basketball teams enjoy playoff success before bowing out

For the Plum girls basketball team, joy at winning the program’s first playoff game since 2002 on March 1 turned to disappointment the next day as covid issues forced the Mustangs to bow out of the WPIAL Class 5A tournament ahead of a first-round matchup against No. 2 Chartiers Valley.

Trinity’s Michael Dunn scores over Highlands’ Antonine McDaniel during a WPIAL Class 5A first-round playoff game on Wednesday.

What to watch for in WPIAL sports on March 6, 2021: Trinity looks for another upset

March 5, 2021

With each round of the WPIAL basketball playoffs on a three-day cycle, Saturday is smack dab in the middle of the elite-eight round.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for March 5, 2021

High school

Upper St. Clair’s Luke Banbury (25) scored 30 points against Seneca Valley on Friday night.

High school roundup for March 5, 2021: Upper St. Clair boys, girls move into semifinals

Luke Banbury scored 30 points, David Pantelis added 17, and Upper St. Clair defeated Seneca Valley, 72-70, to fend off an upset bid in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals Friday night.