Class 6A Latrobe too much for Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 15, 2018 | 7:27 PM

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Both coaches agreed games like this matter. For the winner, especially, so does the outcome.

Bryce Butler scored 15 points, and Ryan Sickenberger added 13 to lead unbeaten Latrobe to a 75-46 victory over Valley on Saturday at the Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association Showcase at Hempfield.

Latrobe (5-0), ranked No. 1 in Class 6A of the WPIAL, raced to a 26-7 first-quarter lead and expanded the margin to 48-19 at halftime before coach Brad Wetzel began to empty his bench in the second half.

“It’s nice to be able to have a game where you can get a lot of people playing time,” Wetzel said.

The intensity level was high at the start, but Latrobe was too strong and skilled for Class 3A Valley (1-3) to match.

“The pressure we faced today will make us grow faster,” Valley coach Mark Faulx said.

Wetzel was pleased with his team’s approach, knowing a trip to Allderdice (2-1), arguably the City League’s best team to date, looms Monday.

“It will be a great test for us. We’re super excited to play that game,” Wetzel said. “They are a great basketball team, and we’ll go there and give it heck.”

With both teams substituting freely, Valley matched Latrobe’s second-half scoring output with 27 points. A total of 21 players scored, including 11 for Valley, which was led by Nyjewel Carter’s 11 points.

Michael Noonan and Reed Fenton added 10 points apiece for Latrobe.

Fenton, a Lehigh recruit who entered with a 31-point scoring average through Latrobe’s first four games, notched eight first-quarter points before spending much of the remaining time on the Wildcats’ bench.

Fenton scored 36 on Thursday in a 90-77 victory over Class 5A No. 2 Penn Hills. He got off to a quick start against Valley, which was coming off its first victory, 74-66 over Steel Valley, in their Section 3-3A opener Friday night at home.

“They came in here and were probably taken aback at first,” Wetzel said. “We have a group that plays very well together. I never have to worry about that, no matter the opponent.”

Valley goes on the road Tuesday to play another nonsection game against Class 4A Knoch before returning to Section 3-3A play with a trip to Shady Side Academy on Friday.

Latrobe, meanwhile, after meeting Allderdice, will be home Friday to face Fox Chapel in its Section 3-6A opener.

“We need to play tough teams if we’re going to get better and make a run in our section,” Faulx said. “We came into this game saying whatever happens, happens. I didn’t think we quit, but I know we’ve got to get better in a lot of areas.

“I believe this team has potential, and we talk about it all the time.”

Dave Mackall is a freelance writer.

Tags: Latrobe, Valley