A-K Valley basketball notebook: Springdale boys experience ‘eerie situation’

By: Alec Italiano
Thursday, February 8, 2018 | 11:16 PM

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Springdale probably can't be blamed if it feels a case of unwanted deja vu going into its Section 2-2A boys basketball finale Friday at Riverview.

The Dynamos (10-8, 5-6), who come into Friday tied with Greensburg Central Catholic (6-14, 5-6) for the fourth and final playoff spot from the section, can clinch a berth with a win over the rival Raiders or GCC loss to Jeannette.

If that sounds familiar, it's because Springdale faced a similar win-and-in scenario last year but lost to Riverview, 59-51, to finish on the outside of the playoffs. Adding to what Springdale coach Seth Thompson called an “eerie situation,” Riverview (2-17, 0-10) comes into Friday's 6 p.m. contest winless in section play — just like last season. And the Raiders pushed Springdale in their first meeting this season before the Dynamos rallied in the fourth quarter for a 60-51 win.

Although Thompson said Springdale hoped to avoid the situation, he felt last season's experience could help the Dynamos.

“I feel like having that bad experience last year and having never wanted to experience that again, I think that will help more than it will hurt,” Thompson said. “If you're in a bad experience, you try not to let it happen again.”

Raiders in

Riverview's girls basketball team potentially faced a win-and-in situation in Friday's home contest against Springdale, but that need dissipated Thursday night.

With Northgate's loss to Sto-Rox, Riverview (10-9, 6-7) clinched at least a share of fourth place in Section 2-2A and a WPIAL playoff berth. The Raiders split their season series with Northgate, so they're in even if they lose to Springdale.

The girls game is set for 7:30 p.m., after the boys game.

“It should be a great atmosphere with the doubleheader,” Riverview girls coach Keith Stitt said. “It's senior night for both the boys and girls, so that adds to everything. Anytime Springdale and Riverview play, whatever the sport is, it's always pretty competitive and pretty intense.”

Playoff payoff

It will be a busy basketball postseason in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

Boys teams to clinch include Fox Chapel in 6A; Highlands in 5A; Deer Lakes, Freeport and Valley in 4A; Burrell in 3A; and Leechburg in 2A. Girls teams that qualified include Plum in 5A, Deer Lakes and Freeport in 4A, Apollo-Ridge in 3A, Leechburg and Riverview in 2A and St. Joseph in A.

Banner year

A pair of A-K Valley boys basketball teams can celebrate section championships, as Burrell and Highlands each earned a share of their respective titles.

Burrell (10-11, 7-3) could potentially finish in a three-way tie with Shady Side Academy (12-8, 7-3) and East Allegheny (10-9, 6-3). The Bucs, whose last title came in 2013, have the best common record in that three-way tie, having swept Shady Side and split with East Allegheny.

Highlands (16-4, 9-1) split the Section 3-5A title with Franklin Regional (16-4, 9-1). The Golden Rams last won a section championship in 2011.

Shooting star

Apollo-Ridge junior Maddie Moore made some school history earlier this week, breaking the record for most 3-pointers in a season.

Moore drained a pair of 3s in a nonsection loss Tuesday to Knoch, giving her 39 on the season. She ranks second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points, and is shooting 38 percent from behind the arc.

Harley win

Although Kiski Area ultimately missed the WPIAL girls basketball playoffs, sophomore Harley Holloway did her best to keep the Cavaliers in it.

Holloway scored a career-high 32 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer in Kiski Area's 61-59 victory last week at Franklin Regional. It represented the highest point total for a Cavaliers player since Maddie Antone scored 38 in 2012.

For the season Holloway is averaging 17.4 points.

Bauman breakthrough

Freeport's offense is rolling as the Yellowjackets move toward the WPIAL Class 4A boys basketball playoffs. The Yellowjackets (14-5, 8-3 Section 1) are averaging 71.7 points during their six-game win streak entering Friday's game at Deer Lakes.

A balanced attack is leading the way, but Isiah Bauman is providing the biggest lift: The sophomore is averaging 22.8 points over the past five games, including a 33-point, 10-rebound effort against Kiski Area and a 19-point, 11-rebound performance against Mt. Pleasant.

Doug Gulasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Riverview, Springdale, St. Joseph, Valley