Bishop Canevin defends WPIAL Class A title with victory over Union

By: Bill Hartlep
Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 6:31 PM

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It was another successful crusade for the Bishop Canevin boys basketball team.

The top-seeded Crusaders defended their WPIAL Class A title Thursday night by defeating No. 3 Union, 58-45, in the first of 12 championship games at the Petersen Events Center.

With a suffocating man-to-man defense and strong inside attack, Bishop Canevin captured the second WPIAL title in program history.

“We knew we were going to be in a slugfest,” said Bishop Canevin coach Gino Palmosina, whose team defeated Rochester in the finals last year. “It was going to be a physical game. We just bought into our defensive principles.

“When we lock up with our length and our athleticism, I think it’s tough for a lot of teams to get their offense in rhythm and get going.”

Junior guard Shea Champine had 15 points off the bench, and freshman guard Amari Evans added 10 to lead the Crusaders (20-4), who scored 15 points off turnovers and 20 points off fast breaks.

Champine made his impact in the second half, hitting 8 of 10 free throws and a key 3-pointer.

“I just took what they gave me, hit my free throws, hit my shots,” Champine said.

It was a welcomed sight for Palmosina, who said he moved Champine from a starting to a reserve role earlier this year.

“I knew he was going to respond at some point in the year and have a big, big game for us,” Palmosina said. “Tonight, we needed him more than ever. The game got tight; he had a big-time 3 to kinda quiet their side down. Down the stretch, he was phenomenal from the free-throw line. He got to the lane, didn’t take too many contested shots and just kinda finished the job for us. I’m super proud of him.”

Behind a lengthy starting five that includes Evans (6-foot-3) and seniors Kai Spears (6-2), Kevaughn Price (6-2) and Jaden Gales (6-6), along with quick freshman guard RJ Sledge, the Crusaders built a 12-7 lead in the first quarter and never relented.

Gales contributed four blocks, and Evans had seven defensive rebounds and three steals. Price and Gales helped to limit Union junior Mark Stanley to just 12 points after he had 10 in the first half.

“I knew if we played defense and played hard, it would just work itself out,” said Price, who had nine points and four rebounds.

Union (22-3) narrowed the deficit to 24-19 at halftime and stayed close for most of the third quarter before Bishop Canevin went on a 7-0 run to lead 42-25.

Union junior guard Matt Stanley faced constant pressure and was just 1 of 15 from the field the first three quarters, but caught fire in the fourth. He drained three 3-pointers in a span of 1 minute, 20 seconds to get Union to within 49-39 with 3:45 left.

“I just started to be more aggressive,” Matt Stanley said. “They were sagging in the paint. I just tried to look for my shot and just keep shooting.”

But with both Matt and his twin brother Mark saddled with four fouls, the Scotties were unable to further close the gap. Bishop Canevin closed the game on a 9-6 run.

“They didn’t give up. They never do. They never play to the scoreboard,” Union coach Mark Stanley said. “That’s been our motto all year. Going into the fourth quarter down 16, we got it under 10. They’re a good team. Defensively, they’re very good. They disrupted a lot of things we generally do. They’re physical. They kinda wore us down. We got in foul trouble. They’re the real deal.”

The coach’s sons led the scoring for Union, as Matt Stanley finished with 16 points and Mark Stanley had 12.

Both teams advance to the PIAA tournament and will play first-round games Tuesday. Bishop Canevin will play the District 9 fifth-place finisher.

“I definitely think we can make it all the way,” Price said. “That’s been the goal since the beginning of the year is WPIAL and then states. That’s what we want to do.”

Union plays the District 5 runner-up in the opening round of the state playoffs.

“Moving forward, I think we have a very good chance to see them again,” Coach Stanley said. “I’d be very disappointed if we don’t. If we play how we’re capable of, I think we might get another look at them.”

Watch an archived video stream broadcast of this game on Trib HSSN.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Union