Sewickley Herald notebook: Panthers shake off nerves in playoff-opening win
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Sunday, February 23, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Deer Lakes’ Nate Moore (22) attempts a shot under pressure from Quaker Valley’s Kolton Johnson (4) in a WPIAL Class 4A first-round playoff game Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Deer Lakes.
Sewickley Academy’s boys basketball team didn’t experience any playoff jitters in its WPIAL Class 2A first-round game Feb. 17 against Bentworth.
The second-seeded Panthers jumped out to a 19-2 lead after just eight minutes and won by a resounding 59-26 final score.
Freshman Mamadou Kane, a 6-foot-8 forward/center, sparked Sewickley with a game-high 16 points. Lucas Grimsley, a 6-2 junior forward, contributed eight points while 6-8 sophomore F/C Adam Ikamba and 5-8 junior guard Caiden Battles added seven apiece.
“I thought we came out with great defensive energy and that was a big plus for us to help settle some of these guys’ nerves,” Sewickley coach Mike Iuzzolino said. “We have been really good on the defensive side and that really helps set the tone of the game.”
Sewickley held a 33-12 halftime advantage and a 42-21 third-quarter lead.
The Panthers, who won the Section 2 championship, improved to 18-4. No. 15 Bentworth, which tied for fourth in Section 1, dropped to 11-11.
QV boys ousted
Quaker Valley’s boys basketball team allowed just 46 points per game during the regular season, the second-best mark in Class 4A.
The Quakers finished fourth in Section 2 with a 4-6 record to land the No. 10 seed in Class 4A but lost to No. 7 Deer Lakes, 83-58, on Feb. 14 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
“Playing a number of young guys is good experience, but you’re still getting your fight on and hoping to show better, obviously,” said QV coach Mike Mastroianni after the game.
Sophomore guard Sam Chapman led the Quakers (15-8) with 14 points. Nic Cohen, a freshman guard, finished with 11.
Deer Lakes improved to 17-5.
Did you know?
Did you know that Quaker Valley’s girls basketball team held its opponent to under 20 points in seven regular-season games?
The Quakers achieved the feat twice against Sto-Rox, New Brighton and Mohawk in section play, and versus Eden Christian in an early season contest.
QV (12-8, 9-4) averaged 45.9 ppg while allowing just 35.2 ppg in clinching second place in Section 1-3A and a WPIAL playoff berth.
Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy
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