Penn-Trafford boys rout Albert Gallatin for 3rd win in row
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Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 9:51 PM
Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Anthony hits a 3-pointer over Albert Gallatin’s Ethan Kennedy on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Zach Feldman scores against Albert Gallatin on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Tyler Boss defends on Albert Gallatin’s Jason Jackson on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Brayden Stone scores past Albert Gallatin’s Darrin Ford on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Orlando DeOrio scores past Albert Gallatin’s Darrin Ford on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Evan Gross fouls Albert Gallatin’s Jason Jackson on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Zach Feldman scores over Albert Gallatin’s Jason Jackson on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s bench reacts to Tyler Anthony’s 3-pointer against Albert Gallatin on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Jason Jackson (left) and Ethan Kennedy guard Penn Trafford’s Brayden Stone on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Orlando DeOrio is fouled by Albert Gallatin’s Jason Jackson on Tuesday.
Penn-Trafford’s Brayden Stone scores over Albert Gallatin’s Jason Jackson on Tuesday.
The first time Penn-Trafford played Albert Gallatin, the Warriors could not seal the deal, watching a late lead fade in a one-point loss on the road.
In the rematch, the Warriors stuck the landing — and won by 20.
Not only did the Warriors show their depth — 11 players scored — but they kicked up the offense and attacked defensively in a 74-54 victory over the visiting Colonials on Tuesday night in a Section 1-5A boys basketball game.
The Warriors (8-6, 5-4), who held a double-digit lead for most of the night, have won three in a row and 4 of their last 5. They came into the game in fourth place.
Albert Gallatin (7-9, 2-7), the sixth-place team, dropped its sixth in a row.
The top five teams make the WPIAL playoffs.
This was a far cry from the initial meeting when the Colonials rallied for a 43-42 win, a credit to the Warriors playing more disciplined, sounder basketball with the lead.
“We’re looking to string some streaks together,” Warriors coach Doug Kelly said. “Get into a position to make the playoffs and keep getting better so we’re playing our best basketball at that time.”
Brayden Stone led three Warriors in double figures with 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Ethan McDonald scored 13, and Zach Feldman chipped in 10.
“Our bench helped us,” Stone said. “That kept our legs fresh, and we were able to push the ball. That’s how we want to play, and that’s how we can play. Defense creates offense.”
The teams combined for 17 3-pointers, nine from Albert Gallatin.
Penn-Trafford led 19-13 after the first quarter and increased its lead to 34-19 at the half.
Jason Jackson did the heavy lifting for the Colonials, scoring their first 15 points, including all 13 in the first quarter.
Jackson, though, was limited to two field goals in the second half and finished with 23.
He made four 3-pointers.
Penn-Trafford worked the ball around the perimeter effectively and forced steals in the open court that led to offense and allowed it to stay in control. It collected 24 assists.
“I believe in all of our guys,” Kelly said. “There are only so many minutes in a game. We had a lot of guys step up and contribute. We’re better with ball movement and people movement.”
Evan Gross made two 3-pointers and finished with eight points for the Warriors, who saw the Colonials close the gap to 34-24 early in the third with a 19-point quarter.
A highlight for the Warriors came late in the third when Jack Weishaar found McDonald for a basket and a foul, and the three-point play made it a 50-35 score.
But Penn-Trafford kept the gas pedal down as Tyler Boss opened the fourth with a 3, and the teams traded baskets before Derek Carr and Stone each scored off of steals to push the advantage to 19 (72-53).
Shymere Wilson added 12 points for Albert Gallatin.
Wilson and Darrin Ford each made two 3s.
“Right now, we’re not talking about playoffs,” Stone said. “We’re taking it one game at a time, one win at a time.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Albert Gallatin, Penn-Trafford
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