High school roundup for Feb. 6, 2024: New Castle moves into playoff position with win over Pine-Richland

By: Triblive
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 11:27 PM

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Ralphie Blundo scored 34 points as New Castle defeated Pine-Richland, 65-62, to pull into a tie for fourth place in Section 1-6A boys basketball Tuesday night.

Damien Harrison added 13 points and JT Warren had 12 for the Red Hurricanes (14-7, 3-6). Carson Baer scored 24 points and Grant Spacciapolli had 13 for the Rams (7-12, 3-6).

Because they split the regular season series, both teams will make the playoffs if they end up in a two-way tie for fourth place. On Friday, New Castle hosts Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland visits Butler.

Aliquippa 72, Laurel 31 – Ra’Saun Banks scored 15 points to lead Aliquippa (15-4, 8-0) to a Section 1-2A win. Luca Santini scored 16 points for Laurel (2-18, 0-9).

Allderdice 87, Perry 33 – Logan Golle scored 28 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and Azerick Jetter added 13 to lead Allderdice (17-3, 9-0) to a City League win. Javon Diamond led Perry (2-14, 1-7) with 12 points.

Baldwin 63, Hempfield 50 – Matthew Schenk scored 17 points to lead Baldwin (16-4, 7-2) to a Section 2-6A win. Jaden Duttine added 12 and Caden Cherico had 11 for the Highlanders. Drew Gordon scored 24 and Max Williams chipped in 11 for Hempfield (4-17, 0-9).

Belle Vernon 72, Albert Gallatin 61 – Zion Moore scored 25 points, Alonzo Wade had 14 and Curtis Wade added 12 to lead Belle Vernon (12-6, 7-2) to a Section 3-4A win. JJ Jackson led Albert Gallatin (8-10, 3-6) with 17 points and Mykel Belt had 12.

Beth-Center 66, Bentworth 57 – Jason Zellie scored 18 points, Amos Parker had 16 and Jonah Sussan added 13 to lead Beth-Center (5-14, 3-7) to a Section 4-2A win. Ben Hays led Bentworth (3-16, 2-10) with 33 points and Chris Harper had 11.

Bishop Canevin 68, Eden Christian 55 – Michael Vaughn scored 21 points, Jason Cross added 18 and Drew Allen chipped in 10 for Bishop Canevin (10-9, 7-0) in a battle for first place in Section 2-2A. Luke Gronbeck hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points for Eden Christian (10-9, 5-2). Mason Dean added 11.

Brentwood 71, Keystone Oaks 29 – Forrest Betz scored 17 points and Colton Rosing added 10 for Brentwood (6-15, 4-8) in a Section 2-3A win. Dante More scored 12 points for Keystone Oaks (5-14, 4-7).

Burgettstown 72, Frazier 44 – Zack Schrockman scored a career-high 38 points and Carson Tkalcevic had 12 to lead Burgettstown (16-5, 9-2) to a Section 4-2A win. Dalian McManus scored 12 points and Trey Whitehead had 10 for Frazier (10-11, 5-6).

Burrell 65, Apollo-Ridge 31 – Tucker Bitar scored 16 and Macky Bennis added 14 to help Burrell (12-5, 7-4) to a Section 3-3A win. Karter Schrock led Apollo-Ridge (2-20, 0-12) with 10 points.

California 72, Geibel 46 – Vinny Manzella scored 23 points, Noah Neil had 16 and Jaquese Derns and Jacob Ziolocki added 10 points apiece to lead California (7-14, 6-3) to a Section 2-A win. Tommy Kolencik and Gary Tarbuk scored 18 points apiece for Geibel (1-20, 1-8).

Carlynton 55, Avella 35 – Jake Moldovan scored 23 points and Devonte Dean added 13 to lead Carlynton (5-14, 4-5) to a Section 1-A win. Westley Burchianti and Bryce Wright scored 13 points apiece for Avella (9-12, 4-5).

Carrick 83, Westinghouse 49 – Brayden Fisher led with 30 points, Ray Saunders followed with 24 and Kelenn Ward added 11 for Carrick (8-12, 4-5) in a City League win. Terrell Wofford scored 28 points for Westinghouse (2-13, 1-8).

Charleroi 62, Brownsville 46 – Jackson Keranko scored 19 points and Bryce Large added 16 to lead Charleroi (8-13, 3-8) to a Section 4-3A win. Trent Wible led Brownsville (8-13, 3-8) with 23 points and Kaden Wimmer had 10.

Chartiers Valley 65, Mars 50 – Julian Semplice led the way with 17 points, TJ Kubiscek added 11 and Rudy Morris had 10 for Chartiers Valley (11-10, 4-5) in Section 4-5A. Ryan Ceh led Mars (10-11, 4-5) with 31 points.

Cheswick Christian Academy 62, Western Pa. School for the Deaf 25 – Brady Rochkind scored 15 points, Sean Louis added 14 and Grant Rochkind added 11 for Cheswick Christian (15-3) in the Southwestern Christian Athletic Conference. Caesar Trice scored 11 for the Western Pa. School for the Deaf.

Ellwood City 65, Beaver Falls 47 – Joe Roth scored 32 points and Nathan Williams added 13 to lead Ellwood City (13-7, 8-3) to a Section 1-3A win. Da’talian Beauford scored 18 points and Marshall Clerici had 13 for Beaver Falls (7-12, 6-6).

Fort Cherry 72, Carmichaels 35 – Derek Errett led Fort Cherry (15-5, 10-1) with 24 points and Blake Sweder followed with 19 in a Section 4-2A win. Aydan Adamson scored 20 points and Robbie Wilson-Jones had 10 for Carmichaels (4-14, 1-9).

Fox Chapel 60, Woodland Hills 41 – Will Siegel scored 21 points and Jefferson Moorefield-Brown contributed 11 for Fox Chapel (12-9, 7-2) in a Section 2-5A win. Amere Brown scored 17 and Lamar Williams had 10 for Woodland Hills (8-12, 5-4).

Greensburg Salem 48, Freeport 46 – AJ Tarpley scored 20 points to lift Greensburg Salem (4-16, 2-7) to a Section 1-4A victory. Gavin Glista scored 17 for Freeport (5-14, 2-7).

Hampton 56, Knoch 48 – Peter Kramer scored 16 points, Alex Nyilas added 14 and Robert Coll finished with 12 for Hampton (17-3, 9-0) in a matchup of top teams in Section 1-4A. Jackson Bauman scored 18, Teegan Finucan 16 and Zarian Finucan 10 for Knoch (13-7, 6-3).

Highlands 84, Indiana 57 – Bradyn Foster led all scorers with 33 points as Highlands (14-6, 6-3) defeated Indiana (8-12, 27) in a Section 1-4A contest. Cam Reigard scored 29 points with five 3-pointers, and Jordyn Tavarez had 13 points for Highlands. Tristan Redinger led Indiana with 15 points and five 3-pointers while Aaron Webb scored 13 points.

Jeannette 63, Springdale 50 – Noah Sunder and Markus McGowan each scored 12 points and Xavier Odorisio added 11 for Jeannette (13-7, 7-4) in a Section 3-2A win. Mason Gent scored 20 for Springdale (14-7, 5-6).

Kiski Area 62, McKeesport 41 – Isaiah Gonzalez and Noah Thimons scored 14 points apiece for Kiski Area (13-7, 4-5) in a Section 3-5A win. Lamont Perkins scored 22 points for McKeesport (5-12, 1-8).

Lincoln Park 83, Central Valley 64 – Mikey Crawford led Lincoln Park (15-3, 9-0) with 24 points, Brandin Cummings followed with 21 and Dontay Green added 14 in a Section 2-4A win. Isaiah Jeter scored 26 points for Central Valley (7-13, 1-10).

Mohawk 68, New Brighton 26 – Bobby Fadden scored 25 points and JJ Nail and Keigan Hopper added 10 points apiece for Mohawk (15-6, 11-0) in a Section 1-3A win over New Brighton (2-17, 0-11).

Monessen 59, Mapletown 48 – Lorenzo Gardner led Monessen (16-3, 8-1) with 21 points and TyVaughn Kershaw added 14 in a Section 2-A win. AJ Vanata scored 15 points and Jeremiah Mick had 12 for Mapletown (2-16, 1-8).

Moon 74, West Allegheny 42 – Elijah Guillory led Moon (17-3, 9-0) with 30 points and Aiden Reesman added 15 in a Section 4-5A win. Justin Manns scored 13 points for West Allegheny (11-10, 0-9).

Mt. Lebanon 57, Norwin 22 – Brody Barber scored 26 points, including four 3-pointers, to boost Mt. Lebanon (17-3, 8-1) to a Section 2-6A victory. Dylan McCullough led Norwin (7-12, 1-8) with nine points.

Mt. Pleasant 63, Waynesburg 54 – Connor Pavlocak scored 19 points and Chase McCloy added 18 to lead Mt. Pleasant (8-10, 7-3) to a Section 4-3A win. Cole Headlee scored 15, Alex Eck 14 and Alex Van Sickle 10 for Waynesburg (7-14, 2-9).

Nazareth Prep 70, Propel Braddock Hills 28 – Leon Harrison and Will Evans scored 16 points apiece, Khylil Johnson had 11 and Micah Caldwell added 10 for Nazareth Prep (6-11, 2-6) in a Section 2-2A win. Frederic Woodfork scored nine points for Propel Braddock Hills (5-14, 0-7).

Neighborhood Academy 70, St. Joseph 23 – Courtney Wallace scored 20 points for Neighborhood Academy (15-5, 7-2) in a Section 3-A win over St. Joseph (3-16, 2-6).

North Allegheny 73, Seneca Valley 52 – Ty Iwanonkiw led North Allegheny (10-11, 7-2) with 24 points, Joe Dopirak followed with 19 and Carter Melzer added 12 in a Section 1-6A win. Tyler Pepin scored 14 points and Kai West had 11 for Seneca Valley (6-15, 2-7).

North Catholic 103, Blackhawk 62 – Max Hurray scored 39 points and made six 3-pointers, Eli Stofko had 14 points and Nicholas Larson and Jason Siket added 12 apiece to lead North Catholic (13-6, 9-2) to a Section 2-4A win. Justin Shanor led Blackhawk (6-15, 3-8) with 21 points and Jackson Ursida had 14.

Northgate 69, South Side 56 – Tylan Daniels scored 16 points, Josh Williams had 14 and Kaden Kemp added 11 to lead Northgate (15-4, 7-2) to a Section 1-2A win. Andrew Corfield scored 21 points and Brody Almashy had 18 for South Side (7-12, 2-7).

OLSH 53, Seton LaSalle 50 – Jake Johnson, Greg Mineard and Tiernan McCullough scored 12 points apiece to lead OLSH (16-4, 10-1) to a Section 2-3A win. Hayden Merchant scored 17 points and Patrick Weldon had 15 for Seton LaSalle (15-5, 10-1).

Penn Hills 83, Plum 69 – Robert Thomas scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures for Penn Hills (12-7, 5-4) in a Section 2-5A win. Amon Hawthorne had 17 and Cameron Glenn and Lamire Redman each added 13. Max Grice scored 22 and Owen Proskin had 18 for Plum (6-14, 0-9).

Peters Township 76, Trinity 39 – Dylan Donovan led with 18 points, Sean Thelk had 11 and Nate Miller and Cam Mills added 10 points apiece for Peters Township (14-5, 6-2) in a Section 1-5A win. Jonah Williamson scored 15 points for Trinity (8-12, 3-6).

Ringgold 55, Connellsville 47 – Szyair Dungee scored 21 points and Maddox Suss added 11 to lead Ringgold (4-16, 1-8) to a Section 1-5A win. Bruce Giles scored 15 points for Connellsville (2-18, 1-8).

Riverside 42, Freedom 39 – Drake Fox scored 20 points to lead Riverside (8-13, 4-7) to a Section 1-3A win. Will Kumrow scored 14 points for Freedom (1-18, 1-10).

Rochester 53, Union 47 – Xavier Rigby scored 16 points, Brady Gorman added 12 and Jayvin Hemer had 11 for Rochester (14-5, 8-1) in a battle for first place in Section 1-A. Braylon Thomas scored 21 and Grayson Blakley added 10 for Union (11-10, 7-2).

Serra Catholic 65, Chartiers-Houston 53 – Isaiah Petty scored 31 points, Owen Dumbroski added 19 and Christian Warren had 11 to lead Serra Catholic (14-6) to a nonsection win. Nate Gregory scored 15 points and Avery Molek had 13 for Chartiers-Houston (15-6).

Shady Side Academy 73, Derry 56 – Eli Teslovich hit for 30 points and Seamus Riordan added 22 for Shady Side Academy (13-6, 9-2) in a Section 3-3A win. Nate Papuga scored 20, Brady Angus had 13 and Stanley Rajkovich finished with 12 for Derry (12-6, 6-5).

Shaler 61, Armstrong 35 – Brandon London scored 18 points to lead Shaler (19-2, 8-1) to a Section 2-5A win over Armstrong (10-11, 2-7).

Shenango 57, Sewickley Academy 49 – Brody McQuiston scored 35 points and Joey Campoli added 16 to lead Shenango (12-7, 6-3) to a Section 1-2A win. Caiden Battles scored 21 points and Lucas Grimsley had 12 for Sewickley Academy (11-8, 3-6).

South Allegheny 61, Quaker Valley 39 – Mike Michalski scored 25 points to power South Allegheny (14-6, 5-4) to a Section 4-4A win. Zachary Washington led Quaker Valley (10-10, 5-4) with 17 points.

South Fayette 69, North Hills 64 – Michael Plasko hit for 50 points to lead South Fayette (12-8, 6-3) to a Section 4-5A win. Zach Pollaro scored 17 points and Eric James had 16 for North Hills (10-9, 3-5).

Southmoreland 55, Laurel Highlands 52 – Noah Felentzer scored 19 points, Ty Keffer added 15 and Elliot Premus chipped in 11 as Southmoreland (15-6, 4-5) earned a Section 3-4A win. Ethan Koffler led Laurel Highlands (2-19, 0-9) with 20 points. Sevi Vecchiolla had 11 and Shane Layton finished with 10.

South Park 49, Sto-Rox 42 – Led by 15 points from Cooper Hochondoner, 14 from Danny Batista and 12 from Luke Scarff, South Park (12-8, 6-5) picked up a Section 2-3A win. Robert Sykes led Sto-Rox (10-11, 5-6) with 15 points.

Thomas Jefferson 60, Bethel Park 36 – Evan Berger scored 16 points, Noah Prosser had 14 and Kane Eggerton added 13 to lead Thomas Jefferson (16-3, 8-0) to a Section 1-5A win. Nick Brown led Bethel Park (11-9, 6-3) with 18 points.

Uniontown 69, Elizabeth Forward 29 – Notorious Grooms and Calvin Winfrey led with 14 points apiece and Jeremiah Hager and K’Adrian McLee had 11 points apiece for Uniontown (17-3, 8-1) in a Section 3-4A win. Isaiah Turner scored 11 points for Elizabeth Forward (13-7, 5-4).

Upper St. Clair 67, Canon-McMillan 44 – Led by 19 points from Tyler Robbins, 15 from Brett Meinert and 14 from Christian Ito, Upper St. Clair (14-5, 7-2) picked up a Section 2-6A win. Evan Morris led Canon-McMillan (9-11, 4-5) with 12 points.

West Greene 38, Jefferson-Morgan 30 – Lane Allison scored 14 points to lead West Greene (12-7, 7-2) past Jefferson-Morgan (12-9, 4-5) in a Section 2-A win.

West Mifflin 81, East Allegheny 55 – David Fleming led with 25 points, Daven Reynolds added 15 and Braeden Walker had 11 for West Mifflin (10-9, 3-6) in a Section 4-4A win. Brennan Ruttledge scored 15 points for East Allegheny (3-17, 0-9).

Winchester Thurston 68, Ligonier Valley 59 – Jaromit Lozano scored 22 points, Matt Southers added 18 and Henry McComb contributed 10 for Winchester Thurston (11-7) in a nonsection win. Michael Wisniewski scored 26 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and Michael Vargulish-Graver added 14 points for Ligonier Valley (5-15).

Yough 40, McGuffey 38 – Terek Crosby scored 14 points and Austin Matthews added 10 to push Yough (16-4, 9-1) to a Section 4-3A win. Ayden Cunningham and Trey McGowan scored 12 points apiece and Grayson Wallace had 11 for McGuffey (13-8, 4-7).

Girls basketball

Cheswick Christian Academy 36, Western Pa. School for the Deaf 27 – Allie Szramowski scored 18 points to lead Cheswick Christian (6-7, 4-1) in the Southwestern Christian Athletic Conference. Starla Baskin scored 15 for the Western Pa. School for the Deaf.

Freedom 66, Riverside 26 – Shaye Bailey scored 40 points to lead Freedom (11-10) to a nonsection win. DeLana Fox scored 10 points for Riverside (5-15).

Greensburg Central Catholic 77, Clairton 36 – Erica Gribble scored 25 points, Mya Morgan followed with 24 and Avery Davis added 13 for Greensburg Central Catholic (15-5, 11-0) in a Section 3-2A win. Iyanna Wade led Clairton (15-4, 7-4) with 22 points.

Lincoln Park 43, Montour 41 – Sarah Scott scored six points to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career and Lincoln Park (19-1, 8-1) clinched at least a share of the first Section 4-5A title in program history. Maddie Syka and J’La Kizart scored 10 points each to lead the Leopards. Julia Cox scored 10 for Montour (8-12, 3-6).

McKeesport 72, Connellsville 22 – Rachael Manfredo scored a game-high 22 points as McKeesport (18-2, 10-1) defeated Connellsville (4-15, 0-11) in Section 3 5A play. Maddie Hertzler scored 12 points, and Savannah Blosser had 10 points for McKeesport.

Peters Township 52, Chartiers Valley 33 – Natalie Wetzel scored 17 points and Gemma Walker added 16 to lead Peters Township (20-0, 11-0) in a matchup of the top two teams in Section 2-6A. Daniela Radulovich added 11 for Peters. Ava Shazer led Chartiers Valley (14-5, 7-4) with 17 points.

Propel Braddock Hills 31, Hillel Academy 26 – Kayla Knight scored a game-high 12 points in a Propel Braddock Hills victory. Yehudis Kanal led Hillel Academy with 11 points.

Shaler 44, Hampton 40 – Bayleigh Perez scored 17 points and Jorja Bernesser added 11 to lead Shaler (7-14, 4-7) to a Section 2-5A win. Megan Murray led Hampton (11-9, 6-5) with 16 points and Harper Gibbons had 11.

West Greene 45, Jefferson-Morgan 32 – Kendra Tharp scored 14 points and Madelyn Roberts added 10 to lead West Greene (8-13, 5-4) to a Section 2-A win. Kayla Larkin scored 14 points for Jefferson-Morgan (3-17, 1-8).

Hockey

Penn-Trafford 6, North Hills 1 – Kyler Doran and Bryce Kropczynski each had two goals and an assist and Ben Zierski and Cam Kiste also scored for Penn-Trafford (7-7-3) in a Class 2A win. Nicolas Piccola scored for North Hills (0-16).

Peters Township 7, Upper St. Clair 2 – Troy Jones had two goals and an assist, Drew Alexander added a goal and three assists, and Charlie Caputo collected a goal and two assists for Peters Township (11-4-2) in Class 3A. Eli Rankin scored twice for Upper St. Clair (8-5-3).

Pine-Richland 2, Canon-McMillan 0 – Douglas Van Meter scored twice and Nathan Dembowski recorded a 30-save shutout to lead Pine-Richland (13-4-1) to a Class 3A win. Aiden Bobbs made 34 saves for Canon-McMillan (1-15).

Shaler 8, North Catholic 6 – Darius Malecki and Jacob Skerlong each scored twice and Jacob Kunc racked up six assists for Shaler (13-3-2) in a Class A win. Luca Wallander added a goal and three assists for Shaler. Carmen D’Ambrosio and Ryan Berry each scored twice for North Catholic (12-5-2).