Mt. Lebanon makes big plays late to beat Imani Christian in Class 6A quarterfinals

By: Antonio Rossetti
Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 11:33 PM

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Liam Sheely scored 22 points, including 14 points and a key 3-pointer in the second half, to lead Mt. Lebanon to a 64-61 victory over Imani Christian in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals Thursday night.

“There’s never a time in the game where I’m thinking, ‘Oh, we’re gonna lose this game,’” Sheely said. “I’m always thinking that shot’s going in. Every shot’s going in to me. I’m just ready to play my game, ready to shoot my shot and take the lead back.”

Down 49-47 going into the fourth quarter, No. 6 Mt. Lebanon (17-7) needed a spark. They got that spark from Sheely and Sam Deibert.

The Blue Devils jumped out on an 8-1 run in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, which included a 3-pointer from Sheely and a chase-down block from Deibert.

“I’ve never been so hyped for a block,” Sheely said. “On a fast break and no one’s back, he comes out of nowhere and slaps that.”

Deibert had 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

“I had three fouls in a close game going into in the fourth quarter. It’s a two-point game,” Deibert said. “I’ll put my body on the line. I’m just going up.”

With No. 3 Imani Christian (13-8) trailing 55-50 with four minutes to play, RJ Sledge, who was in foul trouble, made his way back into the game. He and the Saints battled back and retook the lead 56-55.

Sheely, however, came around a screen and buried a 3-pointer to take a 58-56 lead, which was one of 23 lead changes.

Sledge then notched a steal and set up Kieshaun Davis layup to tie it back up. This led to Jacob Zaber driving to the basket and drawing a foul. Under pressure, Zaber drilled both free throws to go up 60-58.

The Blue Devils earned another stop and Zaber hit another set of free throws.

Imani wouldn’t go away as Markus Williams hit a 3-pointer, making it 62-61.

Mt. Lebanon’s Carter Gould, who had 15 points, drilled two free throws to go up 64-61.

With five seconds left, Santino Fiumara and Zaber doubled Sledge on the inbound play and Fiumara swiped the ball from Sledge. Zaber caught it and ran the clock out.

“Our whole thought process was that we had one foul left to give, so we were either going to foul or just force a steal because either one stops them,” Zaber said. “They’re not gonna shoot free throws or anything, so me and Tino Fiumara went to go get the steal. Tino popped it out, and I got it, and it was game.”

The freshman Zaber had seven points and seven assists. He talked about his four free throws.

“Those are definitely the biggest shots I’ve ever taken,” Zaber said. “I just took a deep breath. Just took one inhale, closed my eyes, blocked everything out, just focused on my form and all four went in.”

Sheely was pleased with Zaber’s play.

“I’m so proud of him,” Sheely said. “I never seen a freshman play like that in my time. He knew those were going in, no matter what. He’s clutch.”

Zaber had a tough cover guarding Sledge, who finished with 14 points and nine assists.

“He’s tough,” Zaber said. “He’s shifty, I’ll tell you. It was hard, but in the moment, adrenaline’s up, so I’m just trying to stay in front of him as much as I can.”

Sledge wasn’t the only one tough to slow down. Donovan Gordon posted 17 points and Kieshaun Demus tallied 11 points and seven rebounds for the Saints.

Mt. Lebanon, however, set its defensive gameplan and stuck with the memo the entire game.

“We trust coach (Joe) David — whatever he says we’re gonna do,” Sheely said. “We know he’s had championship teams. We want to be another one, so we trust him with our whole hearts.”

Mt. Lebanon will take on New Castle on Monday in the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals.

“We’re a tough team,” Deibert said. “I know a lot of people don’t think that, but I think we’re a tough team, and we’re going to show it. We’re not giving up. We’re not staying down. We’ll come after you at any time, no matter if we’re down or up, we’re coming after you full heart.”

Tags: Imani Christian, Mt. lebanon