Fox Chapel notebook: Basketball playoff run ends in PIAA 2nd round

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The Fox Chapel boys basketball team came within 16 minutes of a trip to the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals. The Foxes’ offense just couldn’t produce enough down the stretch to hold off Bethel Park.

Fox Chapel, which beat Bethel Park in a fifth-place WPIAL consolation match in late February, ended up meeting up with the Black Hawks against in the second round of the state playoffs at Peters Township on March 12. Bethel Park won 48-43 after the Foxes’ led 20-13 at the half.

Fox Chapel (16-12) pulled an upset in the first round of the state playoffs when it knocked off District 10 champion Cathedral Prep, 57-52. Asher White scored a career-high 23 points for the Foxes.

Against Bethel Park, White again led the team with 15 points. Jefferson Moorefield-Brown scored 12 before fouling out.

Hockey team falls

The Foxes looked like they may be taking another step toward another chance to play for a Penguins Cup, but the third period of a first-round playoff match with Norwin saw them struggle to close out the game.

Liam Wiseman scored just 62 seconds into the third period to put the Foxes ahead. However, Norwin ended up scoring four unanswered goals to end the game to steal a 5-2 win.

Joe Rattner made 29 saves for the Foxes.

Shady Side girls move on

The Bulldogs got revenge on the team that eliminated them last year when they defeated River Valley in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs. Shady Side Academy (26-2) continued its march toward a state championship appearance by knocking off District 10 qualifier Northwestern, 62-45, at Sharon.

Maggie Spell led Shady Side Academy with 16 points, while Cassier Sauer finished with 13 points.

SSA boys ousted

The Bulldogs battled injuries early in the season before finding their way, and Shady Side Academy ultimately found a way to qualify for the PIAA playoffs as a fifth seed out of the WPIAL. The Bulldogs weren’t able to find a way to beat District 5-8-9 subregional champion Chestnut Ridge.

Four Chestnut Ridge players finished in double figures and the the Lions eliminated the Bulldogs with a 70-53 decision.

Eli Teslovich led Shady Side Academy with 20 points. Seamus Riordan also contributed 18 points for the Bullodgs.

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