Reigning WPIAL champion Upper St. Clair routs 6A newcomer Imani Christian, enacts mercy rule
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Tuesday, January 7, 2025 | 10:03 PM
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins dunks against Imani Christian’s Malcolm Frye during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins dunks against Imani Christian’s D.J. Craighead during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins celebrates with Niko Gidas after scoring during their game against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Niko Gidas celebrates after hiiting a 3-pointer against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins is greeted at the bench by Niko Gidas after exiting their game against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins elevates to dunk against Imani Christian’s Malcolm Frye during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins celebrates after scoring with Ryan Robbins during their game against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins blocks a shot by Imani Christian’s Kieshaun Demus during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins scores against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Julian Dahlem scores against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Jake Foster celebrates after hiiting a 3-pointer against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Niko Gidas celebrates with Jake Foster after hiiting a 3-pointer against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins dunks over Imani Christian’s Malcolm Frye during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins and the Panthers bench watch a 3-pointer by Shawn Khurana during their game against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins is greeted at the bench by Niko Gidas after exiting their game against Imani Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, at USC.
The reigning WPIAL champions gave the brazen newcomers a rather unfriendly welcome to Class 6A.
Upper St. Clair’s Tyler Robbins and Niko Gidas scored 23 points apiece, and Robbins added 16 rebounds Tuesday night as the Panthers ran away with a 74-32 victory over Imani Christian that ended under the running clock of the mercy rule.
Imani Christian (6-4, 4-1) voluntarily moved up to 6A this winter after winning consecutive WPIAL and PIAA titles in Class A. That made this Section 2-6A matchup a battle of reigning WPIAL champions, where Upper St. Clair (12-1, 5-0) solidified its spot as still the best in the big-school classification.
“Definitely, a message was meant to be sent,” Robbins said. “It was a good win.”
The teams entered Tuesday ranked first and second in 6A.
Tied 5-5, Upper St. Clair finished the first quarter on an 18-1 run and extended its lead to 27 points by halftime. The Panthers’ advantage reached 30 points early in the third, the threshold needed for the mercy rule.
“First of all, it’s just one game,” USC coach Danny Holzer said. “But if we play like that, it showed what level you have to be at to win in 6A.”
The teams rematch Jan. 30 at CCAC-Allegheny.
Despite the lopsided outcome, Imani Christian coach Khayree Wilson wasn’t ready to concede 6A to the Panthers.
“I believe they were trying to send a message,” Wilson said. “But the message was not well received.”
Imani Christian struggled with Upper St. Clair’s size advantage. Robbins, a 6-foot-9 senior, went 9 for 13 shooting with three dunks and blocked four shots. But Gidas’ big night from the 3-point line caused Imani just as much trouble.
A 6-1 senior, Gidas made a career-high six 3s with four coming before halftime. A first-year varsity player, Gidas went 6 for 8 from beyond the arc overall and was fouled on two other 3-point attempts, earning him six free throws combined.
“That’s the one thing we’ve been missing a little bit this year, a consistent long-range shooter to make that many,” Holzer said. “Certainly, we have two or three guys who are capable. … Niko can shoot like that. In practice, he’s lights out.”
Gidas also guarded Imani top scorer R.J. Sledge, who was held to seven points.
Imani Christian had no starter taller than 6-3, so Upper St. Clair’s plan was to work the ball inside. Along with 6-9 Robbins, the Panthers have two other forwards who stand 6-6.
They instead found a balance.
“The game plan was definitely to work inside,” Robbins said, “but the guards helped a lot with their shooting capabilities on the outside.”
Upper St. Clair went 5 for 11 from 3-point range in the first half. Imani couldn’t keep pace, making only 3 for 17 from beyond the arc.
USC led 47-20 at the break.
Wilson said Imani expected Robbins likely would have another solid night, so the Saints’ goal was to limit everyone else. Instead, when multiple defenders collapsed on Robbins in the paint, Gidas made big shots.
“I would’ve rather looked at the scoresheet and (Robbins) had 40 points and we lose by two points or something, rather than the way that we did,” Wilson said. “Because now you’re just giving confidence to everybody else.”
Overall, Upper St. Clair shot 53% from the field before halftime and Imani shot just 27%. Robbins boosted that shooting percentage by delivering a couple of dunks that impressed even his veteran coach.
“I’ve been the coach here for 30 years. Those two dunks were the most impressive dunks I’ve ever seen by anybody,” Holzer said. “That one I can’t wait to see on film. My gosh. Wow.”
Donovan Gordon led the Saints with 12 points. Sledge, playing with a sore back, was held to seven points after averaging more than 30 this season.
He attempted only six shots, making three.
“(Sledge) was nowhere near 100% today, but he’s one of those type of kids,” Wilson said. “He’s a gritty kid. He’s a tough kid.”
Holzer said Upper St. Clair entered the game concerned with Imani’s defensive pressure and Sledge’s on-ball defense, saying the point guard has “fast hands.” But it was Upper St. Clair’s defense that ultimately forced 21 turnovers.
“We’ve got to play them at their place and that will be tough, there’s no question about it,” Holzer said. “There are a lot of games ahead, but I think (this win) established that we certainly are where we’re at for a reason.”
Wilson had a message for those who might believe Imani is overmatched in 6A.
“Keep watching,” Wilson said. “Keep watching and tell me what you think at the end of the season. We’re not two-time state champions for no reason.”
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: Imani Christian, Upper St. Clair
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