Chartiers Valley digs out of snow, cools off Lincoln Park

By: Kyle Dawson
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 11:04 PM

After falling for just the second time this season Friday night at Moon, defending WPIAL Class 5A champion Chartiers Valley managed just over an hour of time together between Saturday and Tuesday night.

The Colts installed a game plan Saturday, had a quick game-night film session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, then went out and defeated No. 2 Lincoln Park, 65-57.

Despite the lack of preparation — most teams were feeling the same impact — the Colts were up to the task in their second opportunity to play the Leopards (12-5, 7-2), this time on their home floor.

Chartiers Valley (16-2, 9-1) led almost bell to bell en route to controlling their destiny for an outright section title. And aside from a quick fourth-quarter push than brought the game within seven points from a 56-39 lead for the homestanding Colts, it was a fairly dominant performance.

“They were excited and ready to play tonight,” said Corey Dotchin, who is in his second year as Chartiers Valley coach. “We didn’t have long to get ready, but we executed the game plan to a T. I’m excited for the guys to get this one at home and set ourselves up to get the section down the stretch here.”

The dominance was largely due to the efforts of sophomore standout Luca Federico, who picked up an offer from LaSalle on Monday for his first Division I offer, and senior sixth-man Julius Best, who both turned in a 21-point effort in the victory.

Five 3-pointers for the Colts against five total field goals in the first half for the Leopards were a difference in a 31-19 halftime lead for Chartiers Valley.

Lincoln Park led at 3-2 and did not lead again.

In the first half, Federico scored 11 points and Best chipped in 10 with the pair combining for three of the five makes from 3-point land. Danny Slizik, who finished with 12 as the other Colt in double figures, contributed half his points on two triples in the first half.

After a back-and-forth start to the third, a Slizik and-one made it 34-23 after Lincoln Park cut it to eight. It wasn’t closer the rest of the quarter. The Colts took a 14-point lead to the fourth.

Playing through a shoulder injury, Julian Semplice turned in seven points, five of which came in the fourth. Best scored six in the fourth and Federico four, to go along with three at the stripe from Slizik.

Trailing 56-39, Lincoln Park fought back to get as close as 59-52, but it was Best who put the game away for the Colts with consecutive baskets from there.

“He’s been doing that all season for us. He comes off the bench and I think he’s the third-leading scorer,” said Dotchin. “It speaks volumes about the kid. He could easily pout and want to be a starter, but he accepts his role, comes in and makes plays for us and steps in when we need him.”

Malcolm Frye led the Leopards with 13 points while Jeremiah Pratt had 10. Josh Pratt was held to nine with only two field goals, a game after scoring 25 against Gateway on Saturday.

Jeremiah and Josh Pratt missed the first meeting, which Chartiers Valley won 62-57 in Midland on Jan. 7.

Lincoln Park fell to 7-2 in section play, at least a game still ahead of both Moon and Mars, the latter of which the Leopards still have on the schedule in a jam-packed section, where the top four, at minimum, will qualify for the postseason. The Leopards play at home against Blackhawk on Friday night.

The Colts have two section games remaining, Feb. 3 and 6 against Blackhawk and Mars.

“We need to keep our focus and have a maturity about us knowing we’re only guaranteed five more games,” said Dotchin. “We’re not going to win a WPIAL championship Sunday or next Tuesday. We just have to continue to climb the ladder and be at our best here in a few weeks.”

Tags: Chartiers Valley, Lincoln Park