WPIAL playoff basketball roundup for Feb. 26: Lincoln Park rallies past Aliquippa in semifinals

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 | 12:09 AM

The Lincoln Park boys basketball team trailed after every quarter of its WPIAL Class 3A semifinal game against Aliquippa … except the one that mattered most.

The top-seeded Leopards overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half Monday night and earned a 59-57 victory over the rival Quips to earn a spot in the WPIAL championship game.

They will play No. 2 Seton LaSalle at 9 p.m. Thursday at Petersen Events Center.

Keeno Holmes had 25 points for Lincoln Park (18-6), which rallied with a 20-8 run late in the third quarter and into the fourth at Geneva College.

MJ Devonshire missed two free throws with 1 second left for Aliquippa (17-7). Zuriah Fisher and William Gipson had 15 points for Aliquippa.

Union 74, Imani Christian 67 — Nate Meeks had 22 points, including six 3-pointers, to guide No. 3 Union (17-5) to a WPIAL Class A semifinal win at Peters Township.

Tre Charles had 18 points, and Evan and Seth Pinkerton each had 17 in the win.

Sam Fairley scored 26 for No. 7 Imani Christian (13-10).

Vincentian Academy 59, Cornell 45 — Zach McDonough had 29 points to guide No. 1 Vincentian Academy (17-7) to a WPIAL Class A semifinal victory at Northgate.

The Royals will shoot for the third WPIAL in school history against Union at 7 p.m. Thursday after rolling past section rival Cornell. Alex Griggs added 11 while freshman Angelo Reeves collected 12 rebounds for Vincentian.

Desmond Ross scored 14 points for No. 5 Cornell (18-7).

Girls basketball

Beaver 53, Blackhawk 40 — Robert Morris recruit Bella Posset scored 20 points and Sydney Barney and Emma Pavelek each had 11 as No. 3 Beaver (18-5) won a WPIAL Class 4A semifinal at Geneva College.

Beaver opened a 21-12 lead over section rival Blackhawk (19-3). The Bobcats will be making their first trip to the WPIAL championship game where they will face No. 1 Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic at 7 p.m. Friday at Petersen Events Center.

Mackenzie Amalia and Mady Aulbach each had 11 points for the No. 2 Cougars.

Chartiers-Houston 54, Brentwood 45 — Temple recruit Alexa Williamson had 31 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 3 Chartiers-Houston (19-5) to a WPIAL Class 2A semifinal win at Peters Township.

Madison Simpson added 10 points for the Bucs, who won the WPIAL title last season. They will play No. 1 Vincentian Academy in the championship game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Petersen Events Center.

Natalie Murrio had 11 points and Anna Betz added 10 for No. 7 Brentwood (17-7), which led 29-23 at halftime.

Vincentian 59, Serra Catholic 30 — It's back to the finals for the seventh straight year for the No 1-seeded Royals (22-1), who earned a WPIAL Class A semifinal victory at Northgate. Vincentian was led by Katie Bartlett's 19 points and 15 rebounds while Duquesne-bound Caroline Elliott had 17 points and seven rebounds. The No. 5 Eagles (16-8) were led by Rayna Andrews, who had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Tags: Aliquippa, Beaver, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Chartiers-Houston, Cornell, Imani Christian, Lincoln Park, Union, Vincentian Academy