Bishop Canevin outduels Keystone Oaks in back-and-forth battle of section foes

By: Don Rebel
Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 12:27 AM

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In a wild game of back-and-forth runs, the third meeting between Section 2-3A foes Bishop Canevin and Keystone Oaks was the most exciting of the three.

However, in the end, the result was the same as the Crusaders defeated the Golden Eagles, 67-58.

“Just win. That’s what they say, and that’s all that matters at this point of the year,” Bishop Canevin coach Aaron McGee said. “They’re never going to be easy, especially when you are playing a tough section opponent that you already beat twice. Those kids play hard, and you have to make plays quick. Any win in that type of game, we’re taking it.”

During the regular season, the Crusaders swept the Golden Eagles to claim the section title, winning by 10 and 17 points.

Early on, this one looked like it would be more of the same.

Bishop Canevin jumped out early with hot shooting, scoring 23 points in the opening quarter to lead by eight.

The Crusaders began the second quarter on a 13-0 run in which they dominated the glass and got to loose balls to build up a 36-15 lead by the midway point of the second quarter.

“That’s like two of our keys every time, 50-50 balls and second chances,” McGee said. “Limit the second chances for them, create the second chances for us. Lamier Wade helps set the tone for us.”

Keystone Oaks was able to wrestle some momentum away late in the first half, and cut the deficit to 41-27 by halftime.

The Golden Eagles came out flying in the third quarter, scoring 22 of the first 25 points to turn what had been a 21-point deficit into a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, 49-46.

“The one thing we talked about (at halftime) was as good of a spot we were in, it could be gone in the blink of an eye,” McGee said. “Nothing that was unexpected, but credit to them for coming out and smacking us in the mouth in the third quarter.”

Keystone Oaks upped the lead to 54-50 early in the fourth quarter, but could not deliver the KO punch.

The Golden Eagles had several chances to build on the lead but kept missing in close and coming up short behind the arc.

Both teams looked tentative until Bishop Canevin junior Drew Allen took control.

He seemed like the only player who wanted the basketball and was aggressive when he got it.

He led a Crusaders 12-0 run that turned the game in BC’s favor for good.

“I said to our staff, this is the time for Drew Allen to take control of this game and he did,” McGee said. “I think going to the 1-3-1 sparked some offense for us and made them a little more hesitant.”

Bishop Canevin finished on a 17-4 run to win by nine points.

Allen led the Crusaders with 25 points, Wade, a senior, ended up with 15 and junior Eddie Benton tallied 10 points.

Keystone Oaks falls to 17-7 and 0-3 against Bishop Canevin.

Junior Erond Jakupi led the Golden Eagles with 22 points and senior Ethan Spivak added 11 points.

KO heads to the consolation round where it will host Shady Side Academy.

The victory lifts No. 4 Bishop Canevin into the 3A boys semifinals Tuesday against top-seeded Aliquippa.

“It’s not going to be easy,” McGee said. “You know what they say, to be the best, you have to beat the best, so we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Keystone Oaks