Bethel Park tops Seton LaSalle in back-and-forth contest

By: Don Rebel
Friday, December 6, 2024 | 11:51 PM

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Early December high school basketball doesn’t usually offer many intriguing storylines as teams search for an identity while trying to put one in the win column.

However, a good storyline wasn’t difficult to find Friday in the first game of the Upper St. Clair boys basketball tip-off tournament.

Two playoff teams from a year ago led by two first-year head coaches looking for their first win going up against their alma mater.

Bethel Park took control early with a big second quarter, then finished strong in the fourth quarter of a back-and-forth contest, defeating Seton LaSalle, 59-54.

Black Hawks coach and Seton LaSalle alum Rico Abbondanza trumped Rebels coach and Bethel Park graduate Kenny Klase.

“They have a tough and gritty team,” Abbondanza said of Seton LaSalle. “I thought we could have played a little bit cleaner as far as offense goes. We missed a lot of easy finishes. To know what you need to fix is a positive.”

The opening quarter was an even affair that ended appropriately deadlocked at 13-13.

Bethel Park took control in the second quarter thanks to the play of the Bruckner bothers, senior Jack and junior Mike, as the Black Hawks led 34-25 at the half.

“The kids played intense,” Abbondanza said. “We got some early momentum and got that momentum with toughness on the defensive side of the ball.”

Things changed out of the break as Seton LaSalle started to convert second and third chances and chipped away at the deficit, pulling to within 45-43 heading to the fourth quarter.

“A lot of our guys have zero varsity experience right now,” Abbondanza said.

The fourth quarter saw fourth lead changes in the first two minutes. The Rebels had a chance to tie, but missed two good looks behind the 3-point line, and on the ensuing drive, Black Hawks junior point guard Owen Turoski was fouled.

He made the first free throw, and then missed the second, which Mike Bruckner rebounded for the Hawks and found an open Turoski for a 3-pointer, giving Bethel Park a four-point possession and some breathing room it would never lose.

Jack Bruckner led the Black Hawks with 14 points and Mike Bruckner added 10 points.

Senior Pat Weldon led the Rebels with 13 points, junior Keenu Brooks and freshman Noah Sear scored 11 points each and senior Ryan Marini added 10 points.

Both teams have players who are just starting up basketball because of the long, successful season both schools had in football with Bethel Park losing in the 5A semifinals and Seton LaSalle falling in the WPIAL 2A championship game.

“You’re talking about varsity athletes, multi-sports guys, things carrying over to the basketball court,” Abbondanza said. “We’re missing Tanner Pfeuffer (quarterback out with a wrist injury). He’s competitive, he’s long, and he can run the floor and help on defense. We are definitely deep on athletes.”

Bethel Park (1-1) will play in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against host Upper St. Clair (2-0), which defeated Kiski Area, 46-29, on Friday.

Seton LaSalle (0-2) will battle Kiski Area (0-2) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

Both games can be seen on Trib HSSN.

Tags: Bethel Park, Seton La Salle