High school roundup for March 12, 2024: Max Hurray hits for 37 to send North Catholic to 4A quarterfinals

By: Triblive
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 11:12 PM

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Max Hurray led all scorers with 37 points to power North Catholic, the fifth seed out of the WPIAL, to a 75-60 victory over Avonworth in a PIAA Class 4A boys basketball second-round game Tuesday night.

Owen Maddalon added 13 points for the Trojans (18-9), who will face WPIAL champion Lincoln Park in Friday’s quarterfinals. Rowan Carmichael put up 28 points and Anthony Arlia finished with 12 for the Lopes, the fourth seed out of the WPIAL.

Bishop Carroll 71, Neighborhood Academy 70 (OT) – Luke Repko scored 32 points and Jace Casses added 22 as District 6 champion Bishop Carroll (17-10) emerged victorious in a tightly contested Class A second-round matchup. Courtney Wallace scored 21 points to lead WPIAL runner-up Neighborhood Academy (19-7), which rallied from nine down after three quarters to force overtime. Junior Onwubiko added 15 points, Syncer Nicholson 14 and Kedron Gilmore 12 for Neighborhood Academy. Bishop Carroll advances to play WPIAL third-place finisher Union in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Hampton 50, Johnstown 48 – Peter Kramer scored 21 points and Liam Mignogna added 14 as Hampton (24-4) edged out Johnstown (22-5) in the Class 4A second round. Jahmr Collins and DIon Dixon scored 14 points apiece while Donte Tisinger had 11 for Johnstown. The Talbots will face District 3 champion Eastern York in the quarterfinals Friday.

Imani Christian 79, Clarion 45 – Clarion (18-10) opened the game on a 7-0 run, but Imani Christian (16-10) roared back with 20 unanswered points to close the first quarter and cruised to a Class A second-round win. Nate Brazil led all scorers with 19 points, RJ Sledge added 12 and Avery Wesley followed with 10 for the Saints. Bryce Brinkley and Devon Lauer each scored nine for Clarion. Imani Christian will take on District 10 champion Farrell in the quarterfinals Friday.

Moon 59, York Suburban 38 – Elijah Guillory put up 18 points, Aiden Reesman hit for 12 and Charlie Depner tallied 11 for Moon (25-3) in a Class 5A second-round defeat of District 3 third-place finisher York Suburban (21-7). The Tigers advance to Friday’s quarterfinals, where they will play Bethel Park.

Shaler 68, Mechanicsburg 48 – Julian Vizzoca and Kaden Orga scored 16 points each and Brandon London added 14 as Shaler (25-3) rolled to a Class 5A second-round win. Chance Yanoski and Josh Smith each had 15 for District 3 champion Mechanicsburg (21-6). The Titans will meet Franklin Regional in the quarterfinals Friday.

Union 64, Elk County Catholic 62 – After an even 32-32 first half, Union (17-11) outscored Elk County 32-30 in a tight second for a victory in the second round of the Class A playoffs. Lucas Stanley put up 23 points and Braylon Thomas finished with 17 for the Scotties. Lance O’Neill led all scorers with 33 points and Chase Simbeck added 15 for Elk County Catholic (25-3). Union will play District 6 champion Bishop Carroll in the quarterfinals Friday.

Girls basketball

Avonworth 59, Forest Hills 44 – Eden Schleis made a career-high five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, Greta O’Brien also dropped 17 points and Rebecca Goetz chipped in with 11 as Avonworth (24-2) secured a Class 3A second-round win. Anissa Britt scored 15 points and Olivia McCleary added 10 for District 6 champion Forest Hills (25-4). Avonworth will take on District 10 champion Mercyhurst Prep in the quarterfinals Friday.

Bishop McCort 77, Clairton 40 – Bishop McCort (26-2) doubled up Clairton (20-7) in the first half, 38-19, and outscored the Bears 39-21 in the second to secure a Class 2A second-round win. Gianna Gallucci led Bishop McCort with 20 points. Iyanna Wade put up 27 points for Clairton. Bishop McCort will take on District 10 champion Kennedy Catholic in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Everett 48, South Side 40 – South Side (16-12) fell to District 5 champion Everett (20-7) in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Everett will play WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic in the quarterfinals Friday.

Mercyhurst Prep 52, Neshannock 31 – Olivia Kulyk produced 22 points to propel Mercyhurst (23-3) past Neshannock (19-9) in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs. The Lakers will play WPIAL runner up Avonworth in Friday’s quarterfinals.

North Penn 56, North Allegheny 54 (OT) – Callie Sperling scored 16 points, including the game-winning basket in overtime, Cameron Crowley followed with 13, and Lily Brown finished with 12 as North Penn (24-4) topped North Allegheny (23-4) to claim a Class 6A second-round victory. Lydia Betz led all scorers with 21 points and Caroline Henderson sank three 3-pointers and had 19 points for the Tigers. North Penn will play Garnet Valley in the quarterfinals Friday.

Shady Side Academy 62, Northwestern 45 – WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy (26-2) cruised to a Class 3A second-round win over District 10 runner-up Northwestern (22-5) to advance to Friday’s quarterfinals to take on District 6 runner up Westmont Hilltop.

Spring-Ford 74, Peters Township 53 – Aaliyah Solliday put up 25 points and Katie Tiffan followed with 21 as Spring-Ford (23-5) outscored Peters Township (25-2) 42-26 in the second half for a victory in the Class 6A second round. Gemma Walker dropped 24 points and Natalie Wetzel added 14 for Peters. Spring-Ford advances to play WPIAL champion Norwin in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Westmont Hilltop 54, Seton LaSalle 48 – Mallory Daly scored 19 points to become the school’s all-time leading scorer in her final game with Seton LaSalle (16-11), a Class 3A second-round loss to Westmont Hilltop. Daly finished with 1,971 points, breaking the record of 1,956 set by the legendary Suzie McConnell-Serio.

Beth Buettner put up 18 points and Christiana Gordon netted 16 for Westmont Hilltop (21-4), will play WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy in the quarterfinals Friday. Addie Lonergan scored 18 points and Tiara Curry had 11 for the Rebels.