WPIAL Class A boys final preview: Section rivals Vincentian, Union set for rubber match

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 | 7:45 PM

There won't be many surprises when Vincentian and Union meet for Thursday's WPIAL Class A championship.

The two teams split during Section 1 action this season. So, what better place for a third meeting than Pitt's Petersen Events Center?

“I talked about it all year — I thought we had the best section. We had three teams in the semifinals. It was good to have our section represented well. Union has been a tough team all year. They gave us our only loss in single-A,” Vincentian coach Tim Tyree said. “I talked to Union's coach at the playoff pairings meeting and told him I'd be happy to play a third time at the Pete. It's good for our section and good for our kids. We're happy to see them again. We want to get some revenge for that loss, but we're just happy to be in position to play for the championship.”

The third-seeded Scotties (17-5) are eager to take on the top-seeded Royals (17-7) again.

“I guess you could say it's an easier scout. I am sure they will make some adjustments and we will, too,” Union coach Mark Stanley said. “It'll just come down to who can put the ball in the hoop and who makes the fewest the mistakes. It'll be two good teams going at it.”

The contest features two of the WPIAL's top scorers going head to head in Union's Tre Charles (23.3 points per game) and Vincentian's Zach McDonough (20.8). Charles scored 31 points in the Scotties' 83-72 home win over the Royals on Feb. 2. Vincentian won the first meeting 83-59.

“I really like our matchup. We beat them at home without McDonough. The key with that was keeping Tre Charles in check. Tre is a heck of a player. Alex Griggs is a 14-year-old freshman and was able to do it. He is one the best 14-year-olds I've seen,” Tyree said. “He has done a good job on everybody he's played against. Tre was able to get off and really get them going in the second meeting. Alex has been leading us this year, and I look forward to that matchup.”

The Royals know they can't afford to overlook Union's other top scorers in Nate Meeks (11.0), Evan Pinkerton (10.2) and Seth Pinkerton (10.1).

“Union is a very good team and is well-coached. The key against Union is to play very solid defense and get out on the shooters,” McDonough said. “Getting to the championship game has been a team goal the whole year, and we've really been working hard to try and reach it. We realize that only two teams make the championship and we feel blessed to make it this far.”

The Scotties hope to replicate their success from their previous victory over Vincentian, which ignited a six-game winning streak.

“It feels good to play them again since we split with them. We have good hope coming into this game. We know a lot about them, so we can prepare better,” Charles said. “It feels great to get to the championship. We've been working on it. It's time to open up some eyes. We just have to play our game and rebound and make some shots.”

Union hopes its quickness counteracts Vincentian's height advantage. Royals 6-foot-6 freshman Angelo Reeves can cause havoc in the paint.

“They are very good. It's a contrast of styles. They are a little bigger than us,” Stanley said. “Our guys play hard and with a little chip on their shoulders. We're going to the Petersen Events Center and we want to enjoy it, but, when the ball goes up, it's time to play. We're up against a very good opponent. We're definitely going to enjoy it, have fun and get after it. We want to go down there to win.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Class A boys

Vincentian vs. Union

7 p.m. Thursday, Petersen Events Center

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No. 1 Vincentian (17-7)

Coach: Tim Tyree

No. Player, Pos., Ht., Yr.

5 Alex Griggs, PG, 6-0, Fr.

13 Zach Collins, G, 5-11, Sr.

23 Kyler Fedko, G/F, 6-2, Sr.

24 Angelo Reeves, F, 6-6, Fr.

35 Zach McDonough, G/F, 6-2, Sr.

No. 3 Union (17-5)

Coach: Mark Stanley

No. Player, Pos., Ht., Yr.

1 Tre Charles, PG, 5-11, Sr.

2 Matt Costello, G, 5-7, Sr.

20 Jayson Pasquarello, C, 6-2, Sr.

22 Seth Pinkerton, G, 5-11, Jr.

24 Evan Pinkerton, G, 5-10, Sr.

Title-game history: Vincentian won titles in 2011 and 2013. Union claimed the 2003 championship.

Stat leaders: V: McDonough, 20.8 ppg; U: Charles, 23.3 ppg.

Notable: This is the third meeting between the two squads. In Section 1 play, Vincentian won the first one at home 83-59, while Union took the second 83-72, on its home floor. Union is the only Class A team to beat Vincentian this year. Both squads like to push the ball. Vincentian leads Class A in scoring (70.7), while Union ranks fourth (66.7). Union's last trip to the WPIAL championship was exactly 15 years to the day of this game. As a No. 13 seed, the Scotties beat Clairton for the championship at the A.J. Palumbo Center and finished second in the state after a loss to Scotland School in the PIAA title game. Vincentian and Union both played in the WPIAL semifinals last year. Tyree, a former Monessen and Cal (Pa.) player, is in his first year as a head coach at Vincentian.

Predicted winner: Vincentian

Tags: Union, Vincentian Academy