High school roundup for March 8, 2025: Latrobe, Aquinas Academy make big comebacks in PIAA 1st round

By: Triblive
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 12:09 AM

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Ian DeCerb scored 25 points to lead Latrobe to a 64-58 comeback victory over District 3 runner-up Exeter Township in a PIAA Class 5A boys basketball first-round matchup Friday night.

Max Butler added 13 points for the Wildcats (21-6), who trailed by 11 points after three quarters before outscoring Exeter Township 23-6 in the fourth quarter and scoring the final 12 points of the game. It was the 300th career win for Latrobe coach Brad Wetzel. Jayden Ware led Exeter Township (14-12) with 19 points. Latrobe will face District 6 champion Johnstown in the second round Tuesday.

Aquinas Academy 83, Erie First Christian 80 – Jake Guillen scored 36 points to lead Aquinas Academy (19-7) to a comeback win in the Class A first round. The Crusaders, who trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, took a 79-78 lead on a corner 3 by Jonah Burchill with 31 seconds to go. Sam Duer added 18 points and David Zaharko scored 12 for Aquinas Academy, which will meet Turkeyfoot Valley in the second round Tuesday. Ayden Blum scored 30 points to lead District 10 champ Erie First Christian (15-8).

Beaver 65, Central Martinsburg 49 – Brady Mayo led with 25 points, Nick Krzeczowski followed with 16 and Junior Marino added 11 for Beaver (20-6) in a Class 4A first-round win. Eli Muthler scored 17 points for Central Martinsburg (18-5). The Bobcats will meet North Catholic in Tuesday’s second round.

Cathedral Prep 70, Knoch 57 – Michael Thompson scored 22 points and Nando Mirarchi added 21 as District 10 champ Erie Cathedral Prep (18-8) defeated Knoch in a Class 4A first-round game. Jackson Bauman scored 13 points, Brody Bauman added 11 and Teegan Finucan had 10 for the Knights (19-8), who were making their first appearance in the PIAA playoffs since 2006.

Cheswick Christian Academy 74, Algoma Christian (Mich.) 53 – Joseph Rosio and Keith Booth each hit seven 3-pointers as Cheswick Christian Academy rolled to victory in the National Christian School Athletic Association championships Friday in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Rosio finished with 22 points, Booth 21 and Brady Rochkind 17 for the Chargers, who will meet Gospel Haven Academy from Ohio in the bracket finals at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Lucas Bouma led Algoma Christian with 13 points.

Hershey 52, Penn-Trafford 43 – Cameron Sweeny scored 22 points for District 3 champion Hershey (22-3) in a Class 5A first-round win. Zach Feldman scored 13 points and Tyler Anthony and Brayden Stone added nine points apiece for Penn-Trafford (14-13), which led 27-24 at halftime.

Johnstown 60, Moon 53 – Donte Tisinger scored 33 points to lead District 6 champion Johnstown (25-1) to a Class 5A first-round win. Michael Santicola scored 13 points and Carter Tumulty and Braeden Stuart each added 10 for Moon (19-8).

Neighborhood Academy 95, Shanksville-Shade 32 – Courtney Wallace recorded a triple double with 20 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists as WPIAL champion Neighborhood Academy (24-1) led 52-15 at halftime in its Class A opening-round win. Syncer Nicholson (18), Kedron Gilmore (16) and Derick Hardeman (12 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks) combined for 46 to help advance Neighborhood Academy to the second-round against Elk County on Tuesday. Mile Kipp led Shanksville-Shade (9-16) with 13 points.

North Catholic 72, Hickory 56 – Jason Frederick led North Catholic (20-6) with 25 points, Jude Rottman followed with 18 and Eli Stofko added 12 in a Class 4A first-round win. Trevor Borowicz scored 31 points for Hickory (18-7). The Trojans will face Beaver in the second round Tuesday.

Otto-Eldred 64, Nazareth Prep 39 – Manning Splain scored 26 points and Landon Francis added 25 to lead Otto-Eldred (26-1) to a Class A first-round win. Mikey Keyes scored 15 points and Leon Harrison had 10 for Nazareth Prep (19-6).

Peters Township 64, Spring Grove 54 – Nick McCullough scored 19 points to lead Peters Township (19-8) in the Class 5A first round. Dylan Donovan added 17 points and Jake Wetzel had 13 for Peters, which will meet West York in the second round Tuesday.

Serra Catholic 61, St. Joseph’s Academy 49 – Owen Dumbroski scored 15 points in a Class A first-round win for Serra Catholic (21-4). Tyler Sapida (10), Brayden Graham (10) and Mark Johnson (10) combined for 30 for the Eagles, who will take on Otto-Eldred on Tuesday. Chase Lukovich had 11 for St. Joseph’s Academy (14-11), while Zach Cadman and Rocco Gigante each had 10.

Sharon 82, Avonworth 74 – Levi Hailstock scored 25 points to lead Sharon (19-8) to a Class 4A first-round win and a second-round matchup with Belle Vernon on Tuesday. Rowan Carmichaels scored 27 points and Noah Goetz added 26 for Avonworth (19-7).

West York 53, Mars 51 – Conrad Beatty scored 14 points and Grady Hoffman had 11 for West York (21-6) in a Class 5A first-round win. Will Wilson and Austen Wroblewski scored 13 points apiece for Mars (14-13). The Bulldogs will meet Peters Township in Tuesday’s second round.

Girls basketball

Aliquippa 56, Chartiers-Houston 42 – Carla Brown scored 22 points and Jazmeir Cobb added 14 to lead WPIAL champion Aliquippa (22-4) to a Class 2A first-round win. Allison Wingard scored 17 points for Chartiers-Houston (20-7). The Quips will meet Penns Manor in Tuesday’s second round.

Altoona 49, Norwin 38 – Brionna Hudson scored 22 points to lead District 6 champion Altoona (23-2) in the Class 6A first round. Bella Furno scored 14 points and Kendall Berger added 12 for Norwin (15-9).

Canon-McMillan 48, Allderdice 44 – Madison Clair scored 23 points to lead Canon-McMillan (16-9) past City League champ Allderdice (20-6) in the Class 6A first round. The Big Macs will meet WPIAL champ Upper St. Clair in the second round Tuesday.

Central Cambria 60, Keystone Oaks 35 – Keika Link scored 14 points and Katie Georges added 13 for Central Cambria (18-8) in a Class 3A first-round win. Hannah York scored 11 points and Nina Deweese had 10 for Keystone Oaks (20-5).

Karns City 44, Ellwood City 31 – Naomi Venesky scored 16 points in a Class 3A first-round win for Karns City (22-3). Savanna Prescott added 12 points for the Gremlins. Delaney Sturgeon had 11 points for Ellwood City (15-10).

Kennedy Catholic 75, Fort Cherry 49 – Layke Fields scored 26 points and Bella Magesto added 18 to lead Kennedy Catholic (19-5) to a Class 2A first-round win. Brooke Cornali scored 26 points and Olivia Kemp had 10 for Fort Cherry (20-6).

Neshannock 58, Everett 21 – Payton Newman had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Ainsley Allison added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jaidon Nogay added 11 points and seven steals to lead Neshannock (24-3) past Everett (16-9) in a Class 2A first-round win. The Lancers will face Kennedy Catholic in the second round Tuesday.

Northwestern 58, Avonworth 31 – Makayla Presser-Palmer scored 40 points to lead Northwestern (25-0) past Avonworth (18-9) in the Class 3A first round, setting up a second-round matchup with Shady Side Academy on Tuesday.

OLSH 53, Seneca 44 – Claudia Ierullo scored 14 points, Lola Garner had 13 and Leah Parker added 12 to lead OLSH (23-4) to a Class 3A first-round win. Haylee Farrell scored 15 points for Seneca (17-7). The Chargers will face Greensburg Central Catholic in Tuesday’s second round.

Redbank 76, Rochester 55 – District 9 champion Redbank (21-6) defeated Rochester (12-14) in the Class 2A first round and will meet South Side in the second round Tuesday.

Shady Side Academy 51, Cranberry 23 – Karis Thomas scored 16 points and Laila Banner and Cameron Capel added 10 points apiece to lead Shady Side Academy (25-1) to a Class 3A first-round win. Jadyn Shumaker scored 14 points for Cranberry (17-7). The Bulldogs will face Northwestern in the second round Tuesday.

South Side 39, Lakeview 38 – Miladija Pavolvich scored 11 points and Ashtyn Michael and Bailey Strnisa added nine each to lead South Side (20-7) past District 10 runner-up lakeview (16-10) in the Class 2A first round. The Rams will meet District 9 champ Redbank in the second round Tuesday.

Winchester Thurston 59, Port Allegany 38 – Aleah Cooper led three double-digit scorers with 18 as Winchester Thurston (22-4) got the Class 2A opening-round win. DaShae Cochran had 15 points, while Alexis Bansah and Sky Still both had 11. Port Allegany (18-6) was led by Peyton Gordon’s 14 and Brynn Evens’ 11. Winchester Thurston will play Bishop McCort on Tuesday.