Burrell boys pull 1st-round upset, knock off 6th-seeded Seton LaSalle

By: Nathan Breisinger
Monday, February 19, 2024 | 9:08 PM

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Sometimes all it takes is one win to kick-start a playoff run.

For Burrell, its postseason started by upsetting sixth-seeded Seton LaSalle in a WPIAL Class 3A first-round boys basketball game Tuesday.

A year ago, the Bucs’ season came to a halt in the opening round against Yough. This time, they weren’t going to let their season end in the same manner as they escaped with a 55-50 victory at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Burrell will move on to the Class 3A quarterfinals to play No. 3 Shady Side Academy, which defeated No. 14 Beaver Falls, 79-62.

“We talked to them before the game and said, ‘The first one is always the hardest,’” Burrell coach Mike Fantuzzo said. “It’s the toughest one to get through, and we got over the hump.”

It took an exceptional performance from one of the supporting cast members: junior Tucker Bitar. While he typically adds a secondary scoring touch, he was needed for all 21 of his points to pace the 11th-seeded Bucs (14-6) over the Rebels (16-6).

“Tuck’s been a key for us all year,” Fantuzzo said. “He’s hard to guard. We feel comfortable with him one-on-one.”

The 5-foot-9 guard sparked the Bucs offense as he drove into the Rebels’ interior defense, where he did a bulk of his damage.

“It’s been like that all year for me,” Bitar said. “I haven’t shot the ball well this year, but I’ve got to the hoop. Getting to the hoop is the go-to for me.”

As Bitar continued to move the meter for Burrell, the Rebels slowly crept back into the game after trailing by as many as 10 halfway through the third quarter.

Forward Keenu Brooks keyed Seton LaSalle’s push. He scored 12 of his 14 in the second half, with a handful of finishes coming after his own offensive rebounds.

“Keenu did a great job for us,” Rebels coach Mark Walsh said. “He’s doing a really good job as a sophomore, and we couldn’t ask for more.”

Brooks’ play in the paint was aided by a critical and-one play from Seton LaSalle’s leading scorer, Pat Weldon, who closed the deficit to two. Then, Ian March scored in the paint to tie the score at 48-48 with 1 minute, 52 seconds left in the game.

However, the Bucs showed poise at the free-throw line down the stretch.

The Bucs’ veteran players — Bitar, Macky Bennis and Dylan McKallip — went a combined 7 for 8 at the line to shut the door.

Bennis finished with 15 points, and McKallip added seven.

“These guys have so much experience. It’s nothing new. They knew how to handle the situation,” Fantuzzo said.

The Bucs started fast, with Bitar scoring the opening two buckets of the game and McKallip adding a 3-pointer en route to an 11-3 lead.

“Started off the game very slow. They got on us, and we dug ourselves in a hole,” Walsh said.

Esau King-Buchak complemented the aggressive play of Bitar as he scored 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter.

“Great game for him to come alive,” Fantuzzo said. “He really stepped up and did the little things we talk to him at practice.”

Another highlight for Bitar came on a high-IQ individual effort in the second quarter. After his 3 went awry, he charged in for the rebound and secured it. Then, while in the paint, he faked a pass to the outside, which lost his defender and led to an easy lay-in.

“I never crash rebounds. I knew that one was off,” Bitar said. “They jump at everything. We learned that watching film.”

Even after a mini 5-0 Rebels run, Burrell took control into the locker room after Bennis made a one-handed rainbow shot of a prayer to conclude the opening half to give the Bucs a 31-23 lead.

“For once, we got some momentum on our side,” Fantuzzo said laughing.

Bennis’ 3-point rhythm was on display again in the second half as he buried a triple from the top of the key to extend the lead to 10.

As Seton LaSalle cut the deficit, they needed a lift from Weldon as he added two pivotal buckets to bring the Rebels within striking distance.

March added the equalizing bucket, but it wasn’t enough.

“That was a great moment,” Walsh said about the tying basket. “I probably could’ve done a little better job coaching the last couple minutes there. I let the momentum roll with it.”

Weldon finished with 15 points, and Hayden Merchant added 12.

Tags: Burrell, Seton La Salle