Seton-LaSalle Boys Topple GCC For First Basketball Title in 25 Years

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 1, 2014 | 3:50 PM

In a classic matchup that saw 16 lead changes, the Seton-LaSalle Rebels (25-1) won their second WPIAL championship and the first since 1989 with a 52-51 victory over the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (22-3) in the McDonald’s/WPIAL Class AA title game at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

The Rebels took the lead for good on two free throws and then a runner by Malik White with 2:20 remaining in regulation. Seton-LaSalle sealed the win after a Christian Hyland miss on a three pointer from the left wing. Ryan Norkus grabbed the rebound and was fouled. The junior drained two free throws with 32 seconds left to put the Rebels up 51-46. Brian Graytok scored for GCC, but had to foul; the senior fouled out of the game with 7.5 seconds left. Cletus Helton drained a free throw for insurance. Greensburg Central Catholic had no timeouts. Billy Hipp hit a right wing three pointer with one second left, but the clock harmlessly ran out to give the Rebels the title.

Seton-LaSalle led 22-13 after one period, as Dale Clancy nailed back to back threes in the final 16 seconds of the quarter. Greensburg Central Catholic went on a run late in the second quarter, using a 6-of-10 shooting performance from the floor. The Centurions scored the final eight points to take a 28-27 lead at the break and did the job defensively, holding the Rebels to just 5 points on 2-of-13 from the field.

The teams then exchanged leads in the third. Seton-LaSalle held a two point lead going into the wild fourth quarter. Christian DelGreco gave the Rebels a three-point play on a drive to the bucket. But Hipp answered with an and-one of his own to knot the game at 43. The Centurions took the lead on a Hyland free throw, which set the stage for White to take over and lead his team to the win.

The Rebels were 20-of-48 from the field, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc. Clancy led the way with 16 points and 4 of the trifectas, while DelGreco added 10. White finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Levi Masua and Narkus each scored 6 points, Masua added 10 rebounds and 3 blocks and Narkus added 9 boards in the win. Seton LaSalle dominated the glass with a 34-23 rebound advantage. The Rebels committed 13 turnovers and were 7-of-10 from the foul line.

Seton LaSalle is now 21-4 overall and winners of eight straight games since falling to the Montour Spartans in the Pittsburgh Basketball Classic on January 25th, the Rebels will meet Penns Valley, the fourth seed from District 6 next Saturday in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

Greensburg Central Catholic was led by Billy Hipp with 19 points, including a trio of three-pointers. The Centurions were 19-of-43 from the field, including 5-of-14 from three. The game was decided at the line, Greensburg Central Catholic was 3-of-10 in the first half, 5-of-10 in the second half for a 8-of-20 afternoon. Collin Bisignani grabbed 6 rebounds to lead the Centurions, now 22-3. Greensburg Central Catholic saw a 9-game winning streak come to an end. The Centurions had not lost since January 18th to McKeesport at the Coaches vs. Cancer Backyard Brawlz at Seton Hill University.

GCC will meet Bald Eagle Area next Saturday, the third seed from District 6 in the opening round of the state tournament, that game will be broadcast on the MSA Sports Network.

Score by Quarters:
Seton LaSalle Rebels   22 – 5 – 13 – 12 =   52
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions 13 – 15 – 10 – 12 = 51