Kiski Area upsets No. 5 Peters Township in WPIAL Class 5A playoffs

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, February 19, 2024 | 9:51 PM

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During halftime of Monday’s WPIAL Class 5A playoff game at Peters Township, Kiski Area athletic director John Peterman said watch out for No. 20.

“If Noah (Thimons) makes his first shot of the second half, he’ll go on a run,” Peterman said.

Thimons nailed that first shot and three more during the third quarter to spark No. 12 Kiski Area to an upset of No. 5 Peters Township, 58-51, at AHN Arena.

The Cavaliers (15-7) will play Thomas Jefferson, which defeated Penn-Trafford, 72-53, on Thursday.

When the WPIAL released the pairings a week ago, the Cavaliers enjoyed being the underdogs.

After the teams slugged it out in the first quarter for a 9-9 tie, the Cavaliers used an 11-3 run to end the first half and grab a 26-19 lead at halftime.

Isaiah Gonzalez scored four of his team-high 15 points during the run and Colin Keller scored five, including a long 3-pointer.

Despite giving up back-to-back 3-pointers to Cam Mills in the second quarter, Kiski Area’s zone defense gave Peters Township (17-6) fits.

The Indians made only three 3-pointers all night.

“I don’t know what the percentage was, but it wasn’t too good,” Peters Township coach Joe Urmann said. “Their zone is tough to crack. They have length, and they rebound well. They are well-coached.”

Kiski Area coach Corey Smith said he felt Peters Township would have problems with the zone.

“They came in averaging 74 points per game,” Smith said. “I knew they weren’t going to score that many against us. Our zone is pretty good, and we accepted our role as underdogs. Our guys did a great job defending them.”

Peters Township got more aggressive in the third quarter and cut the Kiski Area lead to 29-25. But three-consecutive 3-pointers by Thimons, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the quarter, helped the Cavaliers hold off the Indians and actually increased their lead to 38-26.

“Noah had seven 3-pointers in our playoff game last year,” Smith said. “That’s nothing new for him.”

In the fourth quarter, Peters Township continued its comeback.

It trimmed the lead to 45-40 with 4 minutes, 32 seconds left before Gonzalez took over. He hit a couple of key layups and free throws to fend off the Indians.

“Isaiah is a rock.” Smith said. “At practice we ran two or three guys at him to get used to that pressure. He stepped up big.

“We talk about weathering the storm all of the time. Basketball is a game of runs. They made a run, but Isaiah knows he has to lead our team. When his number is called, he’s expected to perform.”

Gonzalez, who probably will play football in college, loves the challenge. Anytime Peters Township was set to make a run, Gonzalez had an answer.

“I knew they were going to trap me they entire game,” Gonzalez said. “I love taking the role as a leader.

“When I hit the layup midway through the fourth quarter, it helped us relax as a team. We’re a sleeper. We know we can beat any team that is in front of us.”

Cam Mills led Peters Township with 15 points, and Jack Dunbar added 14.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski Area, Peters Township